That process was too heavy for most business needs and far too expensive as a result. It could never last. I do think developers were more respected back then

That process was too heavy for most business needs and far too expensive as a result. It could never last. I do think developers were more respected back then. Today, developers, like all non-managerial (and to a lesser extent HR) people are completely fungible. For various reasons, we let our expertise be commodified. And as a result, we cheapened the entire field. The way to get it back is thus: No non-developers ever manages a developer. This is how doctors keep their scam going.