The problem with comparing software development with manufacturing physical artifacts is that the phases are mixed up. The manufacturing, creating the artifact,

The problem with comparing software development with manufacturing physical artifacts is that the phases are mixed up. The manufacturing, creating the artifact, in the case of software, is a wholly automated process usually done by a compiler (or similar). The compiler doesn’t need to know shit about the big picture and usually produces the artifact exactly as specified, as your machinist. So software development are all about writing down the specifications precisely enough for the compiler to create the artifact. Mixing up this process with manufacturing is a source of many of the problems in software development.