The training infrastructure build-vs-buy decision comes down to: do existing platforms meet your needs, or do you have truly unique requirements?
The Build Approach
Custom build: maximum control, required for unique requirements. Cost: $1M-$5M+, timeline: 18-24+ months, ongoing maintenance burden.
Key takeaways
- Most enterprises should buy rather than build training infrastructure.
- Hybrid approach (buy core, build on top) is usually optimal.
- Pure build is expensive, slow, and carries ongoing maintenance burden.
- Evaluate total cost of ownership over 5+ years, not just year-one costs.
The Buy Approach
Platforms: faster (6-12 months), lower cost, less maintenance. Trade-off: constrained to platform capabilities.
Hybrid Approach
Most common: buy platform for core infrastructure, build integrations and customizations on top. Balances speed, flexibility, and cost.
100+
languages from one source
10×
faster course creation with AI
~40%
less time-to-productive
93%
completion when training is built-in
Making the Decision
Can existing platforms meet 80%+ of your needs? If yes, buy. If no and you have budget, hybrid. Pure build only for very unique requirements at large tech companies.
See it on your own content
We'll build a course from your material in a 30-minute demo.