Re: Mechanical failure
This "a few months" figure is exaggerated. As previously reported on El Reg, the breakdown happened in mid June. Let's optimistically guess that it was back in port by the end of the month - but that would have been a convenient port, probably not its home. Then arrange for it to be towed back to Plymouth... I can imagine it likely didn't get home till August.
Then conduct the autopsy, check and recheck all the systems, compare the physical evidence with telemetry to see how the monitoring worked... Let's say, two or three days before management had their comprehensive report.
Then give management time to ask followup questions, talk to insurers and sponsors, and finally come to an agreement about what to announce to the press and public...
Yeah. Seems about right to me.