I am coining a new phrase…

Flying like a one bladed helicopter.

This phrase describes the point where a software project (the helicopter) believes it is going really well, when in reality it is slowly spiralling to its rather deadly rendezvous with the hard ground below.

If you are really lucky then the helicopter may stay airborne, but only because it is so damned ugly that the Earth just repels it.

Having worked on numerous helicopter projects, I can safely say that the first warning sign is when the system designer categorically states that they understands the customers needs when they cannot even name the customer.

Be warned! Stay vigilant.