Steven Rakitin, Quality and Innovation:
Imagine trying to come up with a reusable design for a new product. In order for the design to be truly reusable, the designer would need to know the possible ways the design will be used in the future. If that information or knowledge does not exist, it becomes very difficult to design something that is truly reusable…
Sascha, GitHub:
It again comes down to knowns and unknowns, and the uncertainty the unknowns cause. This lack of information is a big obstacle. A designer is almost required to be like a prophet, being able to foresee the future. On top of that, the amount of information that one must retain, is vast. It just doesn't fit in ones mind.
It's like saying: "Let's dine together tonight. I just don't know whether I'll come with 5 or with 50 friends. That's no problem, right?" Or: "I want you to build me a house. Please start building the foundations and the first floor right now, so it will be finished in time. I'll give you the specifications for the actual design within two months."