Workflow · Corporate Development

Build / Buy / Partner

Decide how to close a capability gap — comparing building, acquiring and partnering on time, cost, risk and strategic control — and recommend the route.

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Question it answers

Should we build, buy or partner to close this capability gap?

Inputs

· Capability gap
· Time-to-capability target
· Investment envelope
· Strategic control requirement

Steps

1. Define the capability — State the capability to be acquired and why it matters to the strategy now.
2. Frame the options — Lay out the credible build, buy and partner options for closing the gap.
3. Compare time-to-capability — Estimate how fast each route delivers a working capability at the required standard.
4. Weigh cost & risk — Compare the cost, execution risk and reversibility of each route.
5. Test strategic control — Judge how much ownership and control each route gives over the capability long-term.
6. Recommend the route — Recommend build, buy or partner with the trade-off that decides it, and the diligence to confirm.