BUILD VS BUY
Build, buy, assemble, or decline on one record.
Build versus buy is rarely two options. The honest set usually includes assemble, wait, or decline. Argumont keeps those alternatives on the same Decision so a preferred build cannot hide opportunity cost.
Typical Decision
The owner is often a product or engineering lead with a finance approver. Architecture and security review lock-in and operational load.
Decision Hinges that usually matter
Time to value with this team, exit cost, who gets paged, and whether a purchased core can be wrapped. Engineers are not free.
How the method applies
Champion defends the preferred build or purchase. Challenger attacks opportunity cost. Strategist can propose assemble or wait. Grandfather judges capital and optionality. Judge scores the staff you have.
What the record keeps
The Decision should name time to value with this team, exit cost, and who gets paged. Engineers are not free, and a preferred build cannot hide opportunity cost. Strategist can still propose assemble or wait.
Champion and Challenger test the case, Inspector checks the evidence, and Judge records the Verdict for the Decision Owner.
Example build-versus-buy Decision
Build the workflow, buy a platform, wrap a purchased core, or decline this quarter. Include who maintains it in year two. The Human Decision can still buy after a Verdict favors build if capital and hiring reality changed.
Bring Argumont a Decision worth challenging.
Structure the question, test the evidence and the assumptions, and preserve what your organization ultimately decides.
Start a build-versus-buy Decision