Build-or-Buy Decision Criteria

Why This Slide Is Useful

This slide is useful because it offers a clear, side-by-side comparison of the core considerations when evaluating build versus buy decisions. For senior leaders and strategic decision-makers, it distills complex trade-offs into a straightforward format, enabling more informed and consistent choices aligned with corporate priorities.

The criteria highlighted—such as success potential and industry dynamics—are critical to understanding the long-term implications of each option. This helps executives identify where internal capabilities may fall short or where market conditions favor external sourcing, reducing risk and optimizing resource allocation.

The visual layout supports quick comprehension during strategic discussions or decision gates. It can be used to facilitate alignment among C-level stakeholders or to prepare for board reviews, ensuring that all relevant factors are systematically considered before committing to a build or buy approach.

Furthermore, the slide encourages a disciplined approach to decision-making. By explicitly listing the evaluation criteria, it prompts leaders to consider both qualitative and quantitative factors, fostering a balanced view that incorporates market trends, internal strengths, and potential risks.

How This Slide Is Used

This slide is typically used during strategic planning sessions, due diligence processes, or portfolio management reviews. It serves as a decision framework to guide leadership teams through complex buy-versus-build choices, especially when evaluating new capabilities or technology investments.

In management consulting, this slide often functions as a conversation starter with clients facing major strategic shifts. Consultants customize the criteria based on industry specifics or organizational priorities, helping clients weigh the merits of internal development versus external acquisition.

For corporate development teams, the slide supports the screening of potential acquisition targets or partnership opportunities. It provides a structured way to assess how well a target aligns with the company's strategic criteria, streamlining the decision process.

In executive presentations, the slide can be used to justify past decisions or to set the stage for future initiatives. It offers a transparent rationale for why certain capabilities are built internally or sourced externally, aligning stakeholders around a common decision framework.

Related PPT Slides

Build vs. Buy Cost-Benefit Analysis

This slide compares the benefits and risks associated with building versus buying options, using a visual scale analogy. It highlights the different factors to consider in weighing costs, benefits, and risks, providing a clear framework for decision-making at the strategic level.

Strategic Decision Tree Framework

This slide illustrates a decision tree designed to evaluate whether strategic, core, or outsourcing options are appropriate for a given process. It guides decision-makers through key questions about competitive advantage, technology criticality, and commitments, leading to a clear choice of strategic direction. The visual structure simplifies complex strategic considerations for executive review and alignment.

Market and Build-Buy Complexity Analysis

This slide compares the complexity and viability of projects and market offerings through 2 key dimensions: impact versus application complexity and market maturity versus competitiveness. It visualizes how different types of projects and market decisions are positioned based on these factors, aiding strategic evaluation for investment or development priorities.

Business Case Development Process

This slide illustrates 2 approaches—top-down and bottoms-up—for developing business cases. It details the key steps involved in each method, emphasizing how they can be integrated to focus on major benefit levers and ensure comprehensive evaluation. The visual structure supports strategic decision-making and project prioritization efforts.

Competitive Analysis Issue Tree

This slide illustrates a structured approach to uncovering strategic insights through a horizontal issue tree. It breaks down key questions that evaluate industry attractiveness, company capabilities, and strategic priorities, providing a logical framework for comprehensive competitive analysis. The visual format supports quick identification of critical decision points for strategic planning.

Strategic Options Matrix

This slide displays a two-dimensional matrix mapping potential strategic options against 2 key strategic dimensions. It visually categorizes options based on their relative positioning, highlighting target situations and potential pathways for decision-making. The accompanying explanation provides context, supporting strategic prioritization and scenario analysis for executive audiences.

Explore Slides by Tags