Make-or-Buy Decision Explained: How to Make Outsourcing Decisions

There is also an additional 1.5 USD direct labor dollar at 39 USD, capping the total costs at 234,000 USD. In order to come down to any decision, the firm analyzes outsourcing costs with total cost. If the cost involved in outsourcing is more than the total cost, then the firm must manufacture the product and vice versa. The decision is based on the fact that the total cost of production is less than subcontracting.

For this purpose, they either produce the product/service internally or procure it from external parties. Marginal costing helps you compare the supplier’s price with the cost of making the product in-house. This allows you to see if outsourcing is worth the additional expense or if it’s more cost-effective to produce the product yourself. Firms have started to realize the importance of the make-or-buy decision to overall manufacturing strategy and the implication it can have for employment levels, asset levels, and core competencies. In response to this, some firms have adopted total cost of ownership (TCO) procedures for incorporating non-price considerations into the make-or-buy decision.

In this analysis, firms focus on Product Demand and the Break-even Point. If the quantity demanded falls below the break-even point, then the firm must go for outsourcing. After that, perform a comparative analysis and select the alternative with the minimum cost.

Factors Affecting the Make or Buy Decision

The decision of whether to make or buy a product or service depends on many factors, including cost, quality, availability, and expertise. In some cases, it may be more advantageous to make the product internally; in others, it may be better to buy it from an outside supplier. In this blog post, we will explore the definition of make or buy and discuss some of the key factors that companies must consider when making this decision. Qualitative factors include aspects like control over product quality, customization options, building strategic relationships with suppliers, and focusing on core competencies. These factors may not be easily measured, but they’re just as important in the decision-making process.

You contract an ABC Manufacturing Company to supply 6,000 units of its MVP. This would also require 6,000 units of a component essential for the MVP. The estimated cost of manufacturing these 6,000 units of the necessary component is roughly 234,000 USD. Costs for a “buy” decision can include the cost of the product, sales tax, delivery fees, etc.

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The make-or-buy decision should be made with caution, considering the organization’s core competencies and strategic planning. Both choices have benefits and drawbacks; however, businesses select the choice that supports their objective and long-term goals. If you’re producing a product that requires a high level of quality control, then it might be better to buy it from a supplier who specializes in that type of product. On the other hand, if quality isn’t as important to you, then production costs might be a more important consideration.

• Indirect costs are support costs that can often benefit more than one project.
• The make-or-buy decision is the act of making a strategic choice between producing an item internally (in-house) or buying it externally (from an outside supplier).
• In these situations, you need to be nimble and act quickly to keep your business running smoothly.
• Strategic decisions shape your organization’s manufacturing operation by influencing factors like product selection, investment in machines and labor, new product development, and supplier selection.
• For this purpose, they either produce the product/service internally or procure it from external parties.

For a “make” decision, you must consider manufacturing factors such as storage, waste product disposal, and monitoring costs. Make-or-buy analysis is gathering and organizing data about product requirements and analyzing them against available alternatives, including the purchase or internal manufacture of the product. However, to arrive at a decision, firms conduct detailed evaluations referred to as Make or Buy Analysis.

Understanding Make-or-Buy Decisions

This is because all the products and requirements differ among businesses. Direct costs include expenses related to making or acquiring a good or service and are usually billed directly to the project. Even if your organization can perform work internally, some considerations may justify outsourcing some project components. It’s simply the decision of whether to produce something internally or purchase it from an outside supplier.

Marginal costing is a principle that charges variable costs to cost units, while fixed costs for the relevant period are written off in full against the contribution for that period. In make-or-buy decisions, it’s crucial to compare the supplier’s price with the marginal cost of making the product, plus the loss of contributions of work displaced. Let’s look at an example to illustrate this concept.Imagine your company manufactures a product with a marginal cost of £125 per item. If a supplier offers the same product for £150, you’d need to consider whether the additional cost is worth it, based on factors like production capacity and opportunity cost. Regarding in-house production, a business must include expenses related to the purchase and maintenance of any production equipment and the cost of production materials.

This can lead to costly mistakes and delays in getting the product to market. Additionally, making a product internally may require a significant investment in machinery, inventory, and labor, which could tie up valuable resources that could be used elsewhere. Finally, there is always the risk that the product may not meet the required quality standards or perform as expected, which could damage the company’s reputation. Component decisions are ideally made at the design stage and determine whether a specific component should be manufactured in-house or purchased from a supplier. Each component decision can have a ripple effect on the overall product, so it’s essential to weigh your options carefully and consider the potential impact on your supply chain. This is because firms aspire to gain profitability by satisfying the target customer’s demand.

Factors in favor of making might include better control over product quality, increased customization options, and protecting proprietary technology. Qualitative factors in favor of buying include building strategic relationships with suppliers, reducing risk by relying on specialized manufacturers, and focusing on core competencies. Sometimes, it’s essential to trust your instincts and consider the intangible aspects of your decision. Some quantitative factors in favor of making include lower production costs, better control over production, and increased manufacturing capacity.

On the other hand, if the market price is higher than the cost of Production, then you can save money by producing the product in-house instead of buying it from the market. There are a few key factors to consider when deciding if Make Or Buy is right for your company. The first factor is whether or not you have the internal resources to produce the product or service in-house. This includes things likeRaw Materials, skilled labor, machinery, and other necessary resources. If you don’t have the internal resources to produce the product, then Make Or Buy is probably not right for you. First, if a company opts to make a product internally, they may not have the expertise or knowledge to do so.

The firms choose to purchase the product, materials or components externally when it is less costly than creating it in-house. It is preferred, especially when the firm aspires to utilize the supplier’s skills and expertise. Firms choose to make the product/components internally when it is more economical compared to outsourcing. Besides, it is preferred when firms want to achieve complete control over the process. The direct material costs 10 USD per unit, amounting to 60,000 USD for 6,000 units, and direct labor costs of 8 USD per unit, totaling 48,000 USD. Applied Variables Factory Overhead costs 9 USD per unit, totaling 54,000 USD, and Applied Fixed Factory Overhead costs 12 USD per unit totaling 72,000 USD.

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Quantitative factors in favor of buying include reduced investment in machinery and labor, cost savings from purchasing in bulk, and lower inventory costs. Assessing these factors can help you make objective decisions based on clear data. Similarly, factors that may tilt a firm toward making an item in-house include existing idle production capacity, better quality control, or proprietary technology that needs to be protected.

Here are some factors that may help you decide if it’s better to make or buy. A company may give additional consideration if the firm has the opportunity to work with a company that has previously provided outsourced services successfully and can sustain a long-term relationship. A make-or-buy decision is an act of choosing between manufacturing a product in-house or purchasing it from an external supplier. To date, thousands of professionals have passed the PMP exam using my resources.

However, if a company builds something internally, it has more control over quality and delivery times. Strategic decisions shape your organization’s manufacturing operation by influencing factors like product selection, investment in machines and labor, new product development, and supplier selection. Inappropriate allocation of work to suppliers might lead to developing a new competitor or damaging product quality, profit potential, risk, and flexibility. It’s essential to think ahead and make strategic moves to protect your business in the long run.

Conversely, a drop in demand could lead to bringing previously outsourced work in-house, as long as it doesn’t harm supplier relationships or breach contracts. In these situations, you need to be nimble and act quickly to keep your business running smoothly. Many organizations go for “buy” but gradually shift to “make.” The shift toward in-house production can be caused by high-quality requirements, idle manufacturing capacity, or poor performance by outside manufacturers. To create evergreen make-or-buy decisions, it’s essential to think long-term and consider the bigger picture. Weigh the pros and cons of each option, consider opportunity costs, and keep an eye on industry trends. By staying informed and thinking critically, you’ll be well-prepared to make decisions that stand the test of time.

How can I be more confident in my make-or-buy decisions?

Break-even analysis helps you determine the point where it’s equally profitable to manufacture or outsource a product. By knowing your break-even point, you can decide whether it’s more cost-effective to produce the product in-house or purchase it from a supplier. The make-or-buy decision is the act of making a strategic choice between producing an item internally (in-house) or buying it externally (from an outside supplier).

Managerial decisions and a firm’s long-term business plan are other variables that impact the decision. Due to lower prices, China handles the production and assembly of many components of Apple’s products. Apple designs its product lines in California, manufactures them in China, and transports them back to the United States and other regions for sale.

The make or buy decision is usually based on a number of factors, including production costs, economies of scale, and the availability of skilled labor. In some cases, the emotional attachment to a product can also play a role in the decision-making process. You need to compare the cost of Production with the market price of the good or service. If the market price is lower than the cost of Production, then it doesn’t make financial sense to produce the product in-house and you should buy it from the market.