PO: We need a bridge over the river right here?
Me: Why?
PO: Because the customer needs to get to the other side?
Me: Why can't they use the bridge half a mile up river?
PO: Because that'll take them on a half hour round trip! That's not very nice...
Me: Right... and er, how many people do we think will use this bridge?
PO: None. We're not actually expecting anyone to use it. Not for the first year anyway, but we need to have it for compliance reasons.
Me: Which are?
PO: Compliance reasons.
Me: and...
PO: Urgh,... Sally told Peter told Ravi told Mike told Sue told Priya told Vlad told Jean-claude told me that it was "important compliance reasons". And Sally is very busy and even more important...
Me: <sigh>... So it's not a big deal if that no-one has to walk for 30 minutes then.
PO: Well, someone might use it, and what if they're in a hurry?
Me: They should have planned ahead...
PO: You can't tell a customer to "plan ahead"!
Me: Yes, you can. You do it every time you go on a road trip, you just need to know to expect it. Anyway, how about we have a boat that can ferry people across?
PO: No, no, no! We've told you before. We don't like boats. They're expensive and can't carry many passengers.
Me: Not as expensive as bridges and you just told me we don't have any customers!
PO: Look Mr Grumpy, are you going to design a bridge or not?
Me: .... what's your budget?
PO: Haven't thought about that, but it needs to be ready a week on Tuesday... and who's that fool in the river?
Me: That'll be a customer who fell off the rope bridge we built up river...
