Yeah, I've never seen the Jira code, but I've dealt with the API. It is VERY clear the software is a chaotic mess based on the API.

I mean, if the problem you have is that Jira lets you set up overly complex workflows, then a more limited solution that forces a simpler way of working could have a positive effect? I do agree that you don’t HAVE to make things more complicated than necessary in Jira, but obviously some do that anyway.

If the manager wants a complex workflow then they will make one outside the project management software if needed. Except now you'll need to manually track everything as a developer.

Taking away configuration options from most Jira project managers I’ve come across would be a very helpful first step.

Then they'll just have the same requirements outside the software and it'll be on the developers to manually track it. Then communicate it in hour long standup meetings or something. Or bother engineers every few hours to communicate them directly. Complex corporate processes predate Jira and exist in places where the only tracking is Excel documents.