In uncertain times, businesses need to adopt an adaptable, digital-first approach. Digital transformation is well underway for many forward-thinkers, as AI and machine learning enable better decision making at speed.
The big question is: should we buy a commercial, off the shelf product for our digital transformation, or build one in-house using our own teams and partnerships?
When weighing up their choices, it’s easy to focus on quantifiable metrics such as skill, costs, and time. But in doing so, key strategic advantages can be missed.
In this paper we declutter the decision-making process, exploring the 6 critical dimensions that should influence this decision, and establish a conceptual framework that will ease decision making, whatever your challenge.
The 6 steps to decision-making
Follow this critical framework when deciding whether to buy or build.
Visibility
How volatile is your challenge?
How likely is it to evolve rapidly?
Risk
There are risks when purchasing a COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) product. Have you considered supplier dependency, scale and removal?
Cost and time
The two most prevalent factors. What will the financial and labour implications be of each solution?
Impact
Have you considered the impacts beyond the financial, such as long-term business impact or potential competitive advantages?
Skill
What if your off the shelf solution needs to be significantly modified? Does your company have the skill sets to shape a solution to its own needs?
Putting it all together
Have you considered the impacts beyond the financial, such as long-term business impact or potential competitive advantages?
Visibility
How volatile is your challenge?
How likely is it to evolve rapidly?
Impact
Have you considered the impacts beyond the financial, such as long-term business impact or potential competitive advantages?
Risk
There are risks when purchasing a COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) product. Have you considered supplier dependency, scale and removal?
Skill
What if your off the shelf solution needs to be significantly modified? Does your company have the skill sets to shape a solution to its own needs?
Cost and time
The two most prevalent factors. What will the financial and labour implications be of each solution?
Putting it all together
Have you considered the impacts beyond the financial, such as long-term business impact or potential competitive advantages?
Buy vs build: watch and learn
Buy vs. build: 6 dimensions to help you decide
8:00
Buy vs. build decision trends in large organizations
9:05Download the whitepaper
Find out how to use these decision dimensions to meet your unique challenges.
Meet our experts
Rama Ravikanth
Engagement Manager, CPG
Vishranth Chandrasekha
Senior Consultant, CPG
Saurbah Srivastava
Principal, CPG
Shivani Gupta
Senior Project Manager
Sagar Shah
Client Partner
Tanay Kumar
Senior Consultant