This project was flawed from the outset - no matter how hard we work later, it'll be hard to succeed.
Tips
history
From Li Ruzhen's 《镜花缘》 (Flowers in the Mirror, Qing dynasty), chapter 26: 「老人之子，先天不足」 - 'children of the elderly suffer congenital deficiency.' 先天 ('before heaven/before birth') contrasts with 后天 ('after birth, acquired').
usage
Works both for people (health, constitution) and for projects, plans, or companies with structural flaws - a common business-writing phrase.
