This at the time when the NPR itself dramatically increased the amount of work expected from these staffs. More work with less people, achieve more with less . Familiar, but sadly not possible when the process does not change. All this sounds like a recipe for insanity . There must be something positive in the work.
Some people learn to like it .
Neither you nor I can change the process drivers. The only advice I can give is related to personal control and, for some, survival. If you are working in a good organization with strong, knowledgeable leadership and senior analysts who can help you, this advice may not be needed. But most of you probably do not work in an ideal environment. Be ready for the obvious analysis or justification document.