Yes, I think you make a good point about the deadline. It's an internal deadline, but I do feel like this team was formed to build this particular feature, so missing it would be a big fail.
Based on that, I feel like the blame won't be on the TL, which is what worries me, but that's probably unfunded/unfair.
fwiw, I don't think they're incompetent! it was a ~4 month project that's due in two weeks now
what doesn't make sense about your last theory, why don't chime in when the multiple specs/documents where defined? why now?
After thinking this through with the answers in here, my current guess is that this is something that just occurred to them, which is totally fine and I shouldn't be frustrated about it, these things happen.
thanks! appreciate the response. I do think they probably have valid concerns, and I absolutely trust them.
The frustrating part for me is why wait till the last possible minute? why avoid talking about this until it's too late? I would have loved to have the chance to design it better upfront, or at least have a conversation about it.
It's possible they're overwhelmed with work, it's also possible that I'm making the deadline a bigger deal than it should be.
Your response was super helpful to think about this, thank you.