Build-vs-buy-vs-partner: what dimensions drive the decision and when does each win?

How to answer

Evaluate on strategic importance, capability availability, economic efficiency, control, and time-to-value. BUILD when the capability is your core competitive advantage / unique IP, you have the in-house talent, and time isn't critical. BUY when a credible scalable target exists and time-to-value beats perfect fit; an acquisition can compress timeline to ~6-12 months by buying proven product-market fit and a customer base. PARTNER/JV when information is incomplete, neither side is ready to fully commit, or you need speed without full control or ownership. Buy for control of a strategically essential asset; partner for optionality.

Key idea: Strategic importance, capability, economics, control, time; build core, buy speed/control, partner optionality.