> There are architects, release managers, product managers, etc. that should have provided multiple checks/balances. So to say it's purely "management" isn't quite correct to me.
The fact that all the architects, release managers, and product managers that you mentioned do not function as a coherent structure capable of eliminating the occurrence of critical defects is the definition of management failure. NASA also had plenty of architects and directors when Challenger exploded. Such catastrophic failures, especially on repeat, are indicative of systemic disfunction. That is always the fault of top management.
The fact that all the architects, release managers, and product managers that you mentioned do not function as a coherent structure capable of eliminating the occurrence of critical defects is the definition of management failure. NASA also had plenty of architects and directors when Challenger exploded. Such catastrophic failures, especially on repeat, are indicative of systemic disfunction. That is always the fault of top management.