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Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Strategic Make-or-Buy Decision Analysis for Metals Industry Leader


There are countless scenarios that require Make or Buy. Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Make or Buy to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. Let us analyze the following scenario.

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Consider this scenario: A multinational firm in the metals industry faces critical Make-or-Buy decisions amidst fluctuating commodity prices and increasing global competition.

This organization is seeking to optimize its manufacturing and procurement strategy to maintain market leadership and realize cost efficiencies. The challenge involves assessing core competencies, gauging supplier capabilities, and ensuring long-term strategic alignment while navigating the complex landscape of international trade regulations and environmental considerations.



In light of the situation, the initial hypothesis might be that the organization's current Make-or-Buy framework lacks the flexibility to adapt to market volatilities. Another hypothesis could be that there is a misalignment between the organization's strategic objectives and its procurement practices. Lastly, it is possible that the organization has not fully leveraged economies of scale or technological advancements in its operations, leading to suboptimal decision-making.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

The organization can benefit from a proven, structured 5-phase Make-or-Buy analysis and execution methodology. This process ensures data-driven decision-making, aligns procurement strategy with overall business goals, and optimizes the supply chain for cost savings and efficiency gains.

  1. Assessment of Strategic Alignment: Analyze the company's strategic goals, core competencies, and market position. Questions to address include: How does the Make-or-Buy decision support the organization's strategic objectives? What are the core competencies and competitive advantages of the organization?
  2. Cost-Benefit Analysis: Conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis comparing internal manufacturing costs to those of potential suppliers. Key activities include identifying cost drivers, analyzing total cost of ownership, and performing sensitivity analysis.
  3. Risk Assessment: Evaluate risks associated with both making and buying, including supply chain risks, quality control, and compliance with regulations. Potential insights include identifying risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
  4. Market and Supplier Analysis: Assess the capabilities of potential suppliers and market conditions. Questions to answer include: Who are the leading suppliers? What are the trends and forecasts in raw material prices?
  5. Decision and Implementation Plan: Compile findings into a comprehensive decision framework, and develop an implementation plan. This phase includes creating timelines, milestones, and identifying required resources for successful execution.

Learn more about Competitive Advantage Core Competencies Supply Chain

For effective implementation, take a look at these Make or Buy best practices:

Manufacturing Strategy: Make vs. Buy (25-slide PowerPoint deck)
Make-or-Buy Decision Analysis (23-slide PowerPoint deck)
Buy vs. Build Codification (19-slide PowerPoint deck)
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Make or Buy Implementation Challenges & Considerations

The methodology must encompass a comprehensive evaluation of the trade-offs between proprietary production and external procurement. This includes considerations of intellectual property, quality control, and the strategic importance of the products or components in question.

After full implementation, the organization should expect to see a more agile supply chain, cost savings through optimized supplier relationships, and improved alignment of procurement practices with strategic objectives. These outcomes should be quantified by measuring cost reductions, lead time improvements, and increased market share.

Potential implementation challenges include resistance to change, miscommunication between departments, and disruptions to current operations. It is crucial to manage these challenges with effective change management and communication strategies.

Learn more about Change Management Agile Cost Reduction

Make or Buy KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it.
     – Lord Kelvin

  • Cost Savings: Measures the reduction in costs achieved through the Make-or-Buy strategy, which is critical for justifying the decision.
  • Supplier Performance: Tracks quality, delivery, and compliance metrics of suppliers to ensure alignment with company standards.
  • Lead Time Reduction: Monitors improvements in the time from order to delivery, reflecting increased supply chain agility.

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

Learn more about Flevy KPI Library KPI Management Performance Management Balanced Scorecard

Implementation Insights

Throughout the implementation, insights often reveal the importance of dynamic and collaborative relationships with suppliers. According to McKinsey, companies that actively collaborate with suppliers can potentially reduce costs by up to 7% and boost operational performance.

Another insight is the value of advanced analytics in Make-or-Buy decisions. Organizations that leverage data analytics for these decisions are better positioned to respond to market changes and can gain a competitive edge.

Learn more about Data Analytics

Make or Buy Deliverables

  • Make-or-Buy Strategic Framework (PDF)
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis Report (Excel)
  • Risk Assessment Document (PDF)
  • Supplier Evaluation Framework (PPT)
  • Implementation Roadmap (PPT)

Explore more Make or Buy deliverables

Make or Buy Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Make or Buy. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Make or Buy subject matter experts.

Make or Buy Case Studies

A Fortune 500 company in the automotive industry utilized a Make-or-Buy strategic framework to streamline its supply chain, resulting in a 10% reduction in manufacturing costs and a 15% improvement in supplier lead times.

In the aerospace sector, a leading firm applied advanced analytics to its Make-or-Buy decisions and saw a 20% improvement in operational efficiency and a 5% increase in profit margins within two years of implementation.

Explore additional related case studies

Alignment of Make-or-Buy Strategy with Corporate Objectives

Ensuring the Make-or-Buy strategy is fully aligned with the organization's broader corporate objectives is crucial. The strategic fit must be evaluated not only in terms of cost but also regarding innovation, quality, and speed to market. A study by Bain & Company highlights that companies with highly aligned strategies and operations enjoy a 12% higher return on investment than their less aligned counterparts.

Therefore, the strategy should be revisited regularly as corporate objectives evolve. This agility allows the organization to leverage new technologies, respond to market changes, and integrate sustainability into its supply chain decisions. The methodology must include a framework for ongoing review to adapt the Make-or-Buy strategy to the company's shifting priorities and market conditions.

Learn more about Return on Investment

Supplier Relationship Management and Collaboration

Robust supplier relationship management is key to unlocking value from the Make-or-Buy decisions. Strong partnerships can lead to innovation, cost savings, and improved quality. According to a PwC survey, companies that optimize their supplier collaboration tend to outperform their peers by 2.5 times in terms of profitability. This underscores the need for strategic supplier engagement and performance management as part of the Make-or-Buy process.

It is essential to establish clear communication channels, set mutual goals, and create a culture of continuous improvement. The methodology should incorporate best practices for supplier collaboration, such as joint business planning and shared risk-reward mechanisms, which can enhance trust and align incentives.

Learn more about Performance Management Continuous Improvement Business Planning

Technological Advancements in Make-or-Buy Analysis

The role of technology in Make-or-Buy analysis cannot be overstated. Advanced analytics and artificial intelligence are reshaping how organizations assess their options. McKinsey reports that companies that apply big data and machine learning to their supply chain decisions can reduce procurement costs by up to 3.5%. This technology enables more accurate and faster analysis of complex datasets, leading to better-informed decisions.

As part of the methodology, it is vital to integrate these technological tools into the analysis process. This integration will also prepare the organization for future developments in areas such as predictive analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT), which are set to further transform supply chain management.

Learn more about Artificial Intelligence Supply Chain Management Machine Learning

Quantifying the Impact of Make-or-Buy Decisions

Measuring the impact of Make-or-Buy decisions is fundamental for validating the strategy and guiding future actions. The methodology must establish a clear set of KPIs that align with the strategic objectives. According to Gartner, organizations that effectively measure supply chain performance can improve their perfect order fulfillment by up to 14%.

These KPIs should go beyond cost savings and include metrics related to quality, supplier performance, and innovation. The ability to quantify these aspects provides a comprehensive view of the Make-or-Buy impact and facilitates continuous improvement. Regular reporting against these KPIs ensures that the organization maintains focus on its strategic goals and can make timely adjustments as necessary.

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Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Realized a 7% reduction in overall procurement costs through strategic supplier collaborations and advanced analytics.
  • Improved supplier performance metrics by 15%, enhancing quality, delivery, and compliance standards.
  • Achieved a 10% reduction in lead times, reflecting a more agile and responsive supply chain.
  • Increased market share by 5% due to improved cost competitiveness and faster speed to market.
  • Successfully integrated predictive analytics and IoT technologies, leading to a 3.5% reduction in procurement costs.
  • Established a dynamic Make-or-Buy strategic framework, aligning procurement practices with evolving corporate objectives.

The initiative has been markedly successful, evidenced by significant cost reductions, enhanced supplier performance, reduced lead times, and increased market share. These achievements directly correlate with the strategic objectives of maintaining market leadership and realizing cost efficiencies amidst fluctuating commodity prices and global competition. The integration of advanced analytics and technology has notably improved decision-making processes, setting a solid foundation for future adaptability. However, the full potential of economies of scale and leveraging technological advancements suggests that further enhancements in these areas could yield even greater benefits. Additionally, deeper engagement in supplier collaboration could further optimize cost savings and operational performance.

Given the results and insights gained, the recommended next steps include a deeper exploration into leveraging economies of scale across the supply chain, further investment in technology to enhance predictive analytics capabilities, and a more structured approach to supplier collaboration and engagement. Additionally, it would be prudent to conduct a semi-annual review of the Make-or-Buy strategic framework to ensure its alignment with the evolving market conditions and corporate objectives. These actions are expected to sustain and build upon the current momentum, ensuring long-term strategic alignment and operational efficiency.

Source: Strategic Make-or-Buy Decision Analysis for Metals Industry Leader, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

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