ryanwold.net

A civic-minded citizen seeking the singularity

Back to Entries

Build or Buy? Go try some software on for size.

release
Date: 2016-05-12
Tags: notes PM discovery

What doesn't X Product/Service solve for you? = the job you need done


Why I don't make my own clothes?

What type of pants are you wearing? What type of shirt or top?

Did you make those items? Designing, sourcing, prepping, and sewing the materials? Or did you buy them from a store or online?

My assumption is you bought your clothes, likely with a SKU, from a retailer, as opposed to crafting your clothes yourselves (although, if you do, I commend your artistry).

Analysis Paralysis

Nevertheless, at times, when a buyer is faced with a decision, the buyer can be paralyzed by the friction of too many choices.

One strategy to get moving is to "try on" a solution. This can be literal or figurative.

Literally trying on a solution is probably the best way to learn and see if it meets your needs. Put something to use and practice a new habit.

Figuratively trying on a solution means imaging it in place and running the thought experiment of whether or not X solution with meet your needs.

Technical teams often jump to "let's build our own!" solutions that are great for other reasons, but not usually great as organizational software.

The current reality is that most organizations are terrible at analytics. From my experience, Accounting is the most common form of Analytics-type capability that organizations have (especially as we move from enterprises to smaller, local businesses).

Write about applying business solutions beyond software by trying on solutions for a problem, like Slack or Google Drive.

By Ryan Wold · © 2016–2026 Ryan Wold

Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. AI training requires a license — machine-readable terms.

Enjoyed this? — any BSV wallet, HandCash, or plain old dollars.

Leave a tip

Tips go directly to a Bitcoin SV address I control — peer to peer, no platform in between. A few thousand satoshis is a fraction of a cent; it's the gesture that counts.

From any BSV wallet

Scan the QR code with your wallet's camera, or copy the address.

177DwUfSTW8RkFBJzYYcgr1YB8ngbhTYAc

With HandCash or any paymail wallet

Paymail is an email-style address for Bitcoin wallets. Send any amount to afomi@handcash.io

First time using Bitcoin? Yours Wallet is an open-source browser extension wallet, and HandCash is an easy mobile wallet — either takes a minute to set up.

Prefer regular money? Support via OpenCollective.