I work in a software company and I can confirm this is pretty much what happens on regular basis if you don't have a dedicated coder wrangler. They just go off on weird tangents.
Few months ago, at work hours, I caught them trying to develop an efficient toe keyboard. During the crunch with deadline just ahead.
**rotiart used "*roll picture*"** **rotiart rolled image** I actually had colleagues like that. I made a joke about how we should place a Clay Pigeon thrower on the roof and 20 minutes later 3 whiteboards full with how to get the clay pigeon up to lightspeed with minimum force.