Ok, I'm going to modulate and moderate, myself and my point.

Design certainly has its place in software development as in all realms of building.

Good design nonetheless only exists and is effective within an ecology if you will that includes an iterative feedback between the design and implementation.

One thing that I recommend and that seems to pay considerable dividends is to have people step out of their silos. If one does have an implementer who works from design, they should spend some time re-collecting raw requirements and going over what the design models, before they implement the design.

Your points are well taken, Sundial. And we do indeed have considerable ground to cover in the maturation process.