What are the most critical trade-offs you consider between building and buying, such as cost, time to deployment, customization, and scalability?

We weigh complexity against business value. Support requirements can necessitate hiring additional staff, so we assess whether the value justifies the investment. Vendor partnerships, such as with Amazon, can help offset costs and support MVP development. Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether building delivers sufficient value compared to buying.

Resource availability is a major constraint. Grants from vendors can help offset costs during proof of concept phases. However, limited resources and hard deadlines for other projects often dictate whether we can pursue builds.

Key trade-offs include whether the solution fits our staffing capabilities and resource management. Internal skill sets and the ability to manage complex personalities in the build space influence decisions. You need to consider time to deployment because building often requires multiple iterations before readiness, while competitors may gain an edge by purchasing mature solutions. The decision is situational and balances industry fit, resource management, and the ability to meet deadlines.