How to Show Leadership the Cost of Today's Shortcuts

Engineering proposes the right way. Leadership pushes to move faster. Engineering, under pressure, offers cheaper versions. The fast path starts as a compromise engineering concedes under pressure. Path A pays existing decoupling debt. Path B implements as fast as possible. Path B is cheaper today and more expensive over time.

Show two curves: the disciplined path and the fast path. Time left to right. Cost bottom to top. Leaders need to see when the gap starts to open, not just where it ends. The gap between month three and month four is where the decision pays off or punishes. Without those curves, the fast path always wins on paper.