In track running, racers use starting blocks to get up to speed.
At the start, there is an of explosion of energy with everyone racing to the finish line. The starting blocks give them a solid foundation so they can put their full force into forward momentum.
At the start of a software project, we don't think it's a race. But by the end, we're definitely sprinting to the finish as the deadline comes to a close. Again, a solid start and earlier traction can return huge results.
Most of the time, a project starts with people figuring out what's going on. Usually the people who sold the project are not the ones who will build it, so they have to transfer the knowledge and set them up for success.
You don't want people at full speed in the wrong direction. Things can't take off until you know where to go.