Thank you for sharing this, your knowledge of Workfront is certainly extensive!  I always learn something from your posts.

In each individual user you have the ability to set a timezone preference, do you take advantage of that feature?  I would assume that if you plan the project in your local timezone and you have your users configured into their localized timezones it should sync.  In other words I believe you would ...

After rereading your original question it might be something to do with your custom forms.  If you are capturing information on a request (issue) custom form when you convert it to the project there needs to be a corresponding project version of the custom form.  If your issue and project custom for...

Project Templates

Keep in mind, if your company/institution uses SSO to access internal systems when these users are de-provisioned they will not be able to access the systems.Is there any way to transition all of those reports that 'run as' the old sys admin to 'run as' a new user or better yet configure the system ...

I just want to add, anecdotally, that I have never needed to set all custom forms to system wide for access issues.  I have never needed to individually share a custom form with anyone.  I guess that these things are being inherited based on roles, groups, etc.

You can use templates to convert issues to project, in the templates you have the ability to define specific portfolios and programs

Could you set a project template to have a task pre-populated with the correct name and assignment?  Would this be an example of a solution using Workfront functionality?

We use tasks for reviewers to review proofs, they are instructed to "complete their task" when the review process is complete.  What @skyehansen suggested might be a good way to get the work in front of their faces and completed correctly.

Unfortunately change management is hard and the system cannot force people to go into it.  You would need to talk with these people and emphasize the importance, if that effort fails over time you could then escalate.  It sounds like there needs to be more buy in, I'm not sure any feature in Workfro...