The writers seem to be adhering to a usual schedule. Story bibles are always written a year in advance, breakdown and dialogue are then worked on. The thing is, Days films so fast, it went from 6 weeks, to 2 mos, to 3 mos ahead, and then 4 mos. They took a whole month off last July, and take one week off a month, and they still are now 5 mos. ahead, heading for 6 mos ahead. They sometimes film scenes from 3 or 4 shows in one day. Saves on calling the actors back in, etc.
Thus we see a lot of filler scenes, a lot of bad editing as the show tries to patch in scenes into different shows. For instance, Joe Mascola (Stefano) works just one day a month. So.....all the scenes of him on the phone with various people were all filmed in one day, and then shoved into various shows throughout the weeks.
Same thing with a particular set. They will film scenes from several shows while the set is standing so as to save on the expenses of tearing down, setting up again.