This is 100% correct. All they know is to say "that's nice, can you do it in half the time you estimated with half the resources?" because that's the only way

This is 100% correct. All they know is to say "that's nice, can you do it in half the time you estimated with half the resources?" because that's the only way they can justify their job. This is what they learn in MBA school or from their project management certificates.