Module 9 • 22 min
Build, Buy, Configure, or Partner
Choose the delivery approach that best fits the opportunity and operating environment.Core Concept
The right choice depends on differentiation, integration complexity, security needs, speed, internal capability, and lifecycle ownership.
This choice influences the value case, implementation effort, governance requirements, and the organization’s ability to operate the system after launch.
How to Apply the Framework
Avoid choosing based on product novelty alone. Compare the full operating burden of buying, configuring, building, or partnering.
Use a current workflow, its measurable baseline, and the real people and systems involved. A strategy that works only in a simplified example is not yet a decision-ready operating plan.
Decision Checklist
- State the business outcome and the bounded workflow this decision will improve.
- Identify the accountable business owner, technical owner, and required human reviewer.
- Confirm the evidence, dependencies, controls, and decision gate required before moving forward.
Worked Decision Scenario
A company needs a knowledge assistant that can access internal policies and support systems. A configured product may meet the need quickly, but only if it can satisfy security, integration, and ownership requirements.
The decision team compares the cost of configuration and ongoing ownership with a custom build. It selects the route that matches the desired operating capability rather than optimizing for initial setup alone.
Apply it
Working Exercise
Evaluate your delivery path.
Saved locally for this review prototype. Your response will become private account data when the approved course backend is connected.