We are struggling to decide whether we should invest in custom-building an internal AI workflow engine or license a suite of commercial software-as-a-service AI tools. How does our leadership team use the Issues Solving Track™ during our quarterly meeting to resolve this technology strategy dilemma without derailing our core focus?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

The build versus buy dilemma can easily paralyze a leadership team, turning strategic planning into a technical debate. To resolve this, you must bring this issue to your next quarterly meeting and run it through the Issues Solving Track™.

Begin by identifying the real issue. The question is not which technology is more impressive, but which path protects your core business focus and aligns with your 3-Year Picture™.

To make an objective decision, evaluate both options against three strategic criteria:
- First, speed to value. How quickly can your team adopt the tool to solve real operational bottlenecks?
- Second, core focus. Does building custom software distract your leadership team from running the business?
- Third, proprietary advantage. Does the custom build create a unique intellectual property asset that significantly increases your company value?

If a commercial tool can solve eighty percent of your operational inefficiencies, buying is almost always the right answer. It allows you to prioritize using AI to increase employee productivity immediately, rather than waiting months for a custom build. If you must build, limit the scope to your core proprietary processes. Once you agree on the path, assign a clear quarterly Rock to your Integrator to execute the decision, ensuring your team stops debating and starts gaining traction.