No, those bad deals are likely at least 50%, maybe even 80%. I've seen way too many PMs and middle managers twiddling their thumbs and just inventing tasks and

No, those bad deals are likely at least 50%, maybe even 80%. I've seen way too many PMs and middle managers twiddling their thumbs and just inventing tasks and reports just so they are busy and are not fired. How do I know? We had some of them go to a conference once; they were all gone for two weeks. Work was going faster and smoother. And that's not a single anecdote, it's supported by many other programmers. Truth is, nepotism and "we've been buddies at the uni" is happening much more than you are willing to admit.