The SparrowHawk modular-cruiser compromise

Were the modular SparrowHawk cruisers from Star Fleet Battles a good design idea?

Some modular variants are judged poor, and improving shipbuilding infrastructure is proposed as an alternative to requiring one hull to perform so many roles.

The fictional SparrowHawk uses interchangeable modules to make scarce Romulan hulls perform several jobs, including cruiser, science, cargo, and carrier duties. Some variants are judged poor substitutes for dedicated ships. The criticism is that switching roles does not explain why ship production is so constrained in the first place. Improving industrial infrastructure is proposed as an alternative to requiring one hull to cover so many functions. Experience fighting SparrowHawks in Starfleet Command is distinguished from the modular design described in Star Fleet Battles.