The MEL is primarily for crew use. Management types should be discouraged from reading it otherwise it can be converted into the MML - Maximum Maintenance List.
Use of the MEL/CDL requires a certain skill. I think its called airmanship. If you are flying in some odd part of the world where there is not much regulation, you have to rely on experience gained elsewhere.
If the manuals were a comprehensive set of instructions on how to operate the aircraft, anyone that could read could fly.