This works because no-one is demanding estimates because they want to know the answer, they are doing it to apply pressure to get it done. The project manager i

This works because no-one is demanding estimates because they want to know the answer, they are doing it to apply pressure to get it done. The project manager is being subject to the same thing, and if her minions are savvy enough to provide a story that she can take to her management, and if she's smart enough to realize that's the most she can realistically hope for, a sort of equilibrium is achieved.