"then the software development output is a gating feature for real-world contractual obligations"
Cool, I hope that whoever agreed to these obligations knew full well that they were taking a gamble and are prepared to deal with the consequences of the gamble not playing out.
A complex software project is already a gamble. It may drag on for years even after the most pessimistic time estimate. it may totally fail (the outcome which is rarely taken into account). Drawing an arbitrary deadline on top of it just makes it a more risky gamble.
Cool, I hope that whoever agreed to these obligations knew full well that they were taking a gamble and are prepared to deal with the consequences of the gamble not playing out.
A complex software project is already a gamble. It may drag on for years even after the most pessimistic time estimate. it may totally fail (the outcome which is rarely taken into account). Drawing an arbitrary deadline on top of it just makes it a more risky gamble.