Build-or-Buy Decision Process

This slide outlines a structured six-phase approach to evaluating whether to build or acquire a solution. It combines a sequential decision-making flow with a visual process map, helping senior leaders and consultants systematically assess options and make informed choices in strategic sourcing or investment decisions.



Why This Slide Is Useful

This slide is valuable for management and strategy professionals because it provides a clear, repeatable framework for complex decision-making. The 6 phases guide teams through defining requirements, exploring options, and making choices, reducing ambiguity in critical build-or-buy scenarios. It emphasizes a disciplined process that minimizes risks associated with rushed or poorly informed decisions.

For C-level executives, this process supports strategic alignment by ensuring that technical or operational solutions are evaluated against business needs comprehensively. It encourages a structured approach that balances innovation with risk management, especially in fast-moving digital environments or when considering large capital investments.

Management consultants can leverage this slide as a diagnostic tool to assess client decision frameworks. It helps identify gaps in existing processes or areas where decision-making may be overly subjective or fragmented. By applying this structured flow, consultants can facilitate more objective discussions and develop tailored recommendations.

The visual process map also enhances stakeholder communication. It simplifies complex decision pathways into an easy-to-follow diagram, making it suitable for presentations to executive teams or board members. This clarity supports buy-in and alignment across functional units involved in the build or buy process.

How This Slide Is Used

This slide is typically used during strategic planning sessions, technology sourcing projects, or capital allocation reviews. It serves as a guide for teams to evaluate options systematically, ensuring all relevant factors are considered before making a commitment. The process map can be customized to reflect specific organizational criteria or decision thresholds.

In consulting engagements, this framework helps structure client workshops focused on sourcing strategies. Teams walk through each phase, discussing requirements, potential solutions, and decision points. The visual nature of the slide makes it easier to facilitate consensus and document the rationale behind each step.

Organizations also use this slide in governance meetings to track progress through the decision process. For example, a company may have completed the requirements phase, but is still evaluating options. The diagram helps clarify where bottlenecks or uncertainties exist, prompting targeted discussions or additional analysis.

Additionally, the slide supports post-decision reviews by mapping out the entire process. It allows teams to revisit each phase, assess the quality of decisions made, and identify areas for process improvement in future sourcing or build initiatives.

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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.


Cost-Benefit Weighting Comparison

This slide compares the costs and risks associated with 2 options: building versus buying. It visually demonstrates the trade-offs by illustrating the relative weight of each option on a balance scale, emphasizing the importance of evaluating both financial and risk factors in decision-making processes. The layout facilitates quick assessment of the comparative benefits and drawbacks of each approach for strategic evaluation.


Build-or-Buy Decision Criteria

This slide compares key decision factors involved in choosing between building or buying a business capability or asset. It lists 4 main criteria—attractiveness, overall success, industry dynamics, and technology capability—each evaluated for both options, providing a structured framework for strategic decision-making at the executive level.


Build-or-Buy Decision Criteria

This slide outlines the key factors influencing build versus buy decisions across 5 categories: functionalities, time-to-market, technical skills, innovation level, and cost analysis. It provides a structured framework for evaluating strategic options, with placeholders for detailed criteria and timing considerations to guide decision-making processes.


Build-or-Buy Decision Pillars

This slide outlines the 3 core pillars—Strategy, Risks, and Economics—that underpin the build-or-buy decision-making process in strategic sourcing. It visually emphasizes each pillar with icons and provides concise descriptions, helping executives assess the critical factors influencing outsourcing choices.


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