When cartons emulate software developement

Disney in Animation Deal with 'Shrek' Producer:

...the partnership also marks an ambitious attempt to make future computer-animated films at about half of what they now cost...

Vanguard hopes to achieve the savings by having completed scripts and story lines in place before production begins, compared with the current process where production staff is often hired after a project is green-lighted.

Why does this sound familiar? There is no silver bullet.