Real Cost of Solution in Business Analysis: Build, Buy, or Combine?
In project management, the familiar question is often: “Should we build or buy?” Unfortunately, that conversation is rarely structured. Too often, the decision is driven by convenience, budget shortcuts, or simple gut reactions.
In business analysis, however, we are taught to be more disciplined. The solution is not just a byproduct of the process. It is one of the six core elements of the Business Analysis Core Concept Model (BACCM) and deserves careful, structured consideration.
When evaluating solution approaches, business analysts now look through three primary lenses:
- Create – Build a solution in-house, either from scratch or by tailoring an existing system.
- Purchase – Select a COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) product or external service to meet business needs.
- Combination – Blend both approaches by purchasing components while building custom features around them.
This is where the role of the business analyst expands beyond documentation. Modern BAs are decision enablers and strategic advisors. They are expected to:
- Assess COTS solutions strategically rather than accepting them at face value.
- Weigh long-term cost vs. speed, ensuring today’s decision doesn’t harm tomorrow’s growth.
- Align solution choices with business value, keeping stakeholder goals front and center.
- Understand project economics deeply, from licensing costs to maintenance and integration.
The reality is that many organizations choose hybrid models — buying part of the solution while building other components to achieve the right balance. In such cases, it is the business analyst who ensures that these pieces connect into a coherent, value-driven whole.
The real cost of a solution goes far beyond the price tag. It involves trade-offs between flexibility, time-to-market, scalability, and ownership. Recognizing this, a skilled business analyst does more than analyze requirements — they guide organizations toward smarter, more sustainable choices.
That is not just analysis. That is leadership.
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