If anything we're using double to triple the raw mats & time for the same amount, and often less, of parts. Excuse me, how is this an improvement? You're correct. I don't know why the change of parts was so drastic when it was the recipes for full-items that needed tweaks according to their ranks.
Which meant phasing out certain parts, but not all of them. Now it's just...even more tedious and exasperating than it is currently. D:
The improvement is that gatherers who were getting effed in the whole circle of life are now put back into focus and play a major role in the lifecycle of gear. It was a money making process to grind a craft from 1-50 in almost every craft except maybe goldsmithing and blacksmith. And even those didn't cost more then a few mil. It should be an achievement to reach 50 on a craft and players should not be able to say "I watched TV and have all crafts at 50". It should be an expensive journey that takes time.