If analyzing and trying to understand rationale behind certain decisions and circumstances that lead to those decisions is just "excuses", then so be it. But then I guess there is nothing to discuss either. It's not enough to just point out mistakes with more or less incomplete information about backgrounds etc. To learn you need to analyze and find the exact points and reasons why certain things failed AND trying to figure out how alternative decisions could have altered the outcome, both in good and bad ways. Point is, doing things the opposite way than in failed attempt may also end up in failure as every decision will have it's consequences, which may or may not be foreseen and/or desirable. But to me it looks like some here are more or less preaching how to do it all The Right Way(tm) without any consideration to circumstances, trade offs etc. as if the way their preferred way was something like the absolute and final truth about the matter, applicable to every single situation, project and company. Pardon me for lacking faith in it. Call it excuse it you wish.