I think this is an improvement from MTW. In MTW I'd que up a bunch of buildings, but then not have anything built for 10-15 years because I don't have enough money. I think this is too prevent the same problem.
Seems like. However, I seldom que anything ahead of time unless there's an "urgent" problem that needs correcting and I'm afraid I'll forget about it. Paying in advance does have some advantages, though. I help control troublesome provinces that are getting ready to reach the next level--they always seem to get testy about then--by queing-up some peasants until I reach the happy 100% level. That actually will keep the folks at home happy until you can get them some necessary improvements. Once the happy stuff is built, just un-que the peasants and you get your money back, but in the meantime, no revolt.

Also, to comment on the friendly fire snafu in this game, someone said in another thread that it's better than MTW. No way. You could still zap your own people in MTW if you weren't careful with placement, particularly crossbows, which have a more level tragectory than bows. But you should still be able to shoot bows over the heads of your front line, as long as the enemy isn't right in front. But IF the enemy is right in front, then your archers shouldn't fire. They wouldn't in MTW, why now? It is soooooooo bad, that I have long since taken to restricting my infantry to sword attack only, 'cause they are also very careless with their pila. And when the melee actually starts, I double-quick my archers to the rear. They will continue to slaughter your own people, even with fire at will off, unless you get them out of there. I also keep them off of skirmish unless I can get them FAR in front of my infantry, else they'll immediately fall back into the safety of the ranks and IMMEDIATLY START TO SLAUGHTER THEM! The problem with placing them way out in front is the possible presence of enemy cav. Though, sacrificing some of those idiots to cav feels good after they've depleted a legionaire unit for no good reason. Still, about 25 to 30% of my casualties are due to friendly fire. That is absurd. You just don't carelessly injure friendly troops.

One other point about archers. Why has CA given them bonuses for fighting in woods? Have any of you ever tried to fly an arrow in woods? It ain't easy. Arrows have a high tragectory because of their relatively low speed and heavy missle weight. Trees, on the other hand, have low branches. After almost forty years hunting with bows, I can honestly say that trees and arrows are NOT compatible. I would like to see that bonus go the way of the War Dogs. (I hope.) Though, it is fun to chase down rebels with a doggy gift from the Senate.