A coworker teased me a few months ago, describing requirements engineering (RE) as "plumbing,"something he absolutely considered functional, even necessary, but otherwise best not discussed in polite conversation. I responded with a graphically descriptive suggestion of what one might experience with a plumbing failure. I then drew parallels to a situation where a team's excellent execution of their standard requirements practice proved insufficient for the complex circumstances of their newest program. Although they'd laid the pipes as intended with the tools and practices with which they were proficient, this "new construction" had different needs.