AI Leader · Solution Architect · TPM

Decision · Build

AI Build / Buy / Configure Decision Scorecard

Stop over-building agents or over-buying seats. Score uniqueness, data control, speed, differentiation, and talent — get a clear Buy, Configure/Compose, or Build lean with a 90-day sourcing plan.

Free AI build vs buy decision tool. Ten questions → Buy / Configure / Build recommendation plus lock-in-aware next steps for CIO, CTO, and architecture leads.

Built for CIO · CTO · Product · Architecture

  • Answers stored in your browser until you optionally email a copy
  • Plain-language result you can paste into a board or CFO brief
  • Directional guidance — validate with a scoped pilot before budget lock

How it works

  1. Work through one question at a time — pick the option that matches how things work today, not your wish list.
  2. Get an instant maturity level (1–5) plus dimension scores.
  3. Share results with risk, platform, or transformation leads; unlock Print / Save as PDF with a work email when ready.

What this tool is for

Enterprises over-build custom agents or over-buy seat licenses without a shared decision tree. Without scoring uniqueness, data control, speed, differentiation, and talent, teams waste quarters on the wrong sourcing path.

Who it’s for: CIOs, CTOs, product and architecture leads deciding whether to buy a platform, configure/compose with APIs, or build strategic AI capability for a specific use case.

What you get

  • A clear lean: Buy, Configure/Compose, or Build (targeted or strategic)
  • Dimension scores that show whether data control, speed, or talent is the swing factor
  • A 90-day action plan matched to the recommendation — RFI, config layer, or focused build

AI Assessment Engine analyzes answers with transparent scoring heuristics in your browser — no data leaves the device for scoring.

How scoring works

Each answer scores 1–5. Dimension scores average within that theme. Overall level = rounded average across all questions (Level 1–5).

  1. 1
    Lower scores mark gaps for the 90-day plan.
  2. 2
    Dimension bars show whether risk concentrates (e.g. security vs strategy).
  3. 3
    Planning aid only — not a certification or regulatory attestation.
  4. 4
    Higher uniqueness, data-control, and differentiation scores lean Build; urgency and thin talent lean Buy/Configure.
  5. 5
    Compose (Level 3) means buy commodity layers and own orchestration, prompts, and evaluation — not greenfield everything.
  6. 6
    Treat the result as a steering input; validate TCO and lock-in with a short vendor or spike review.

AI Assessment Engine analyzes answers with transparent scoring heuristics in your browser — no data leaves the device for scoring.

Key terms

Buy
Adopt a commercial AI product or platform with limited custom engineering beyond integration.
Configure / Compose
Use vendor models and platforms plus your workflow, prompt, and integration layer — without owning full custom stack.
Build
Invest in custom components where uniqueness, data control, or differentiation justify long-term ownership.
Make or buy
Classic sourcing choice applied to GenAI: build internal capability vs purchase or license external solutions.
TCO / lock-in
Total cost of ownership and switching cost — vendor terms, data export, and talent needed to exit later.

FAQ

How does the AI build vs buy vs configure decision work?

You score ten questions across complexity, data sensitivity, speed, differentiation, and talent. The AI Assessment Engine averages scores into a Level 1–5 lean: Buy, Configure/Compose, or Build, plus a matching 90-day plan.

Is this a wizard or a scorecard?

It is an assessment scorecard with transparent 1–5 scoring. ClickUp originally framed it as a wizard; the live experience keeps assessment UX so results stay comparable and printable.

When should we lean Configure instead of Build?

When platforms cover most needs but you still require meaningful orchestration, prompt engineering, or integration — buy the commodity layers and compose the workflow yourself.

Does high data sensitivity always mean Build?

Often it pushes toward private/VPC or controlled platforms rather than consumer SaaS. Some vendors meet residency and isolation needs; the scorecard surfaces control requirements so you do not ignore them.

Will my answers leave the browser?

Scoring runs in-browser via the AI Assessment Engine. Optional email unlocks Print / Save as PDF only — answers are not required to leave the device for the score.

Can procurement and architecture use this together?

Yes. Complete it in a joint session so uniqueness and talent claims are challenged with the same evidence before an RFI or build charter.

Is the recommendation a final sourcing decision?

No. It is a structured lean for leadership debate. Validate commercials, security review, and a thin pilot before locking budget.