I don't share entirely, the reason is because still you can perfectly have a game over two times if you can't achieve the main goals dictated to you by The Twins... So, as Rowan can fail he can't be by any reason "god-like at kingdom-building", this is the ilusion the SoC Team made to make you fall, you think like that not because of Rowan but yourself, what the SoC Team did was making an initial story were there are a lot of frustrating choices to make, this can make you immerse more in the character and gain sympathy for him because you feel in control, but you must think out of the box.Good general analysis that covers the highlights.
Wanted to add there are a myriad aggregate of minor actions that don't get mentioned in the narrative, are gamey, or seem tiny on their own related to Stewardship. The Twins in particular are poorly suited to the diligent attention span and work ethic required to cultivate a kingdom
You hear a lot of different opinions about if people think Rowan comes off as a trickster, heroic, intelligent ect. But I'd think about anyone who plays the game would readily admit the guy is god-like at kingdom-building.
He chose the research trajectory, managed the resources, decided what developments to make ect. Delegated tasks, directed workflow, and all the sort of bullshit required to keep the cogs of war turning. Not much of it was glamorous; but that sort of power is critical
I'm actually kinda amazed he has to go begging Jezera for things like magical items ect- when he basically has oversight over the entire means of production / economy at the castle now that I think of it.
Anyway, the Twins ability to accomplish anything in this vector relates pretty linearly with the quality of the people who they can extort / hire / bribe. So the real question seems to be would they have been able to find a suitable replacement / replacements who could have done *All* of those major things you mentioned AND this huge aggregate of small things that honestly probably carried more weight than the major contributions.
Remember how Rowan just passed to enter to Bloodmeen in search for his wife, how careless and negligent was knowing being a tactician, a General who's role during the War play importance in the defeating of Karnas. This is an insight of who truly Rowan really is, the same happened during Rastedel's Fall, no matter what, there are more than enough events that could be prevented if Rowan could had a Plan or at least if we as players could take more of the decisions before and during this falling, Rastedel is an example of things that not only escape to Rowan control but for players control, because at that very same peak moment we are more attached to the character and it is orchestrated by the SoC Team to make you more a reader than a player, so things get out of hands pretty quickly.
And i have the feeling that could be more of that very same sentiment in the next Arcs, and it will be like that because of the choices taken before, and the things left behind without attention. Besides, even if Rowan (us) take the best decisions to Bloodmeen Castle perform better, this couldn't be possible without the chief in each area assigned by The Twins, Rowan by any chance hadn't to deal to who inside The Castle will be in charge of an area in particular, so, as there isn't an example of competition or competitors to choose who's better for the task, those ppl who work in helping Rowan to achieve his goals in all the Castle areas were chosen by The Twins for their excellency, as ppl capable to do in time the task Rowan need or more we can say, The Twins need, because as i said, Rowan (you) can fail their goals and it's only Rowan (you) who pay the consequences (take note on that) because, Rowan in any moment never question if someone else can perform better than Skordred or Clhiona, much less if are created Divided Teams for Construction, Researched and whatever areas to compare the same work and give the most simple to the less capable team to achieve quickly...
In resume, i still think Rowan don't know shit... Change my mind :v.
