We want our technical team to train a proprietary small language model (SLM) on our client delivery data to boost exit valuation, but our developer resource is bottlenecked on daily IT maintenance. How do we use the Issues Solving Track (IDS) to decide whether to outsource this project or pause operations?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Training a proprietary small language model on your client data can build massive enterprise value for a clean exit, but not if your technical team is drowning in daily IT support. This is a classic resource allocation problem that threatens your long-term valuation. You must bring this issue to your next Level 10 Meeting™ and run it through the IDS® process. Start by separating your long-term strategic goals from your daily operational needs. Look at your Accountability Chart to see if you have the same people managing strategic development and daily IT maintenance. If your core team is bottlenecked, you have two real choices. You can outsource the daily IT support to a managed service provider, or you can hire a dedicated AI development team to build the proprietary model. To make this decision, run a reality check on your enterprise value. If building this custom model is the key to proving you own your proprietary operating system to a buyer, it must be treated as a priority Rock. Do not allow your internal resources to be consumed by low-value IT tickets. Protect your team's focus so they can build the intellectual property that drives your exit valuation.