The truth will out

Why is it that on so many projects that I have worked on, everybody knows the project is going down the toilet? What is more amusing is that everyone knows and still seems to be unwilling to shift the goal posts.

If a project is percieved as likely to be running late come up with a contingency plan and do it early. Not only that dont be unrealistic there is no point trying to force something that is not going to happen. I am sure everyone has found themselves hoping it will all go right now and then... but how often has that happened. 

I realise that sometimes legislation changes etc can force set in stone dates.... but locating what can safely not go in could reduce the time putting the vital changes in would take.