> Do your two decades of experience cover both sides?

Yes.

I appreciate both sides and have a wealth of experience in both. The challenge is that all the non-technical problems cannot be solved successfully while lacking a technical understanding. Projects generally don't fail for technical reasons, they fail because they were not set up for success, and that starts with having a clear understanding of requirements, feasibility, and a solid understanding of both the current state and the path to reach your desired outcomes, both politically/financially and technically.

I was an engineer for more than a decade, I've been in Product for nearly a decade, and I'm now a senior manager in Product. I can honestly say that I have the necessary experience to hold strong opinions here and to be correct in those opinions.

You need technical people who can also handle some of the non-technical aspects of a project with the reins of power if you want the project to succeed, otherwise it is doomed by the lack of understanding and competency of those in charge.