I can validate that is frustrating. An inability to articulate more than the code is bad and it’s complicated is surprising from a TL.

That is probably the case in most companies, and as I said it’s not that hard to identify what is impacted by that dog shit code.

Having a spike/PRD/TRD process, really anything written by a human long form, can help build alignment. This is because you have ample time to ask questions and dive deeper, and it’s not personal it’s just part of the process.

I’m not sure whether the charts I created were themselves the convincing piece of evidence. They just happened to be where I found common ground easier and then maybe the rest just clicked