It is quite possible that they are simply milking the job and really don't know how to complete the tasks you are giving them, and default to "hey, let's set up

It is quite possible that they are simply milking the job and really don't know how to complete the tasks you are giving them, and default to "hey, let's set up a unnecessary vm because we know how to do that easily and it will show we are not slacking" or something of that sort. Or perhaps not; idk...no one here can, but it is your job to figure it out, quick. Use the same tenacity you showed as a developer to start learning management. The daily stand-ups are a no brainer...accountability and progress need to be applied and shown, respectively, with consequences attached, unless you are happy to let things ride along as they are currently.