Build vs. Outsource
Decision Framework — 20 Weighted Criteria
Drag the weight sliders to reflect your priorities. The verdict updates in real time.
Overall Verdict
Category Comparison
Upfront Capital Required
How much cash do you need to invest before seeing results?
Cost Per Order
The all-in cost to pick, pack, and ship a single order.
Cost Predictability
How accurately can you forecast monthly operations costs?
Cash Flow Impact
Effect on your monthly cash position and working capital.
Speed to Scale
How quickly can you double or triple capacity?
Geographic Reach
Ability to ship anywhere in Mexico (and beyond) efficiently.
Peak / Surge Capacity
Handling promotional events, conventions, enrollment surges.
SLA Performance
Ability to consistently meet same-day/next-day shipping commitments.
Returns & Reverse Logistics
Processing distributor returns, exchanges, damaged goods.
Management Focus
How much leadership attention does operations consume?
Core Competency Alignment
Is logistics your competitive advantage, or is it your distributor network?
Business Model Flexibility
Ability to pivot (new product lines, new markets, new channels).
Vendor Lock-in / Exit Risk
How hard is it to change course if this doesn't work?
Inventory Accuracy & Control
Real-time visibility into stock levels, shrinkage, cycle counts.
Packaging & Quality Standards
Custom kitting, branded packaging, promotional inserts.
Data Ownership & Visibility
Who owns the operational data? Can you see it in real time?
Regulatory Compliance
COFEPRIS, customs, product handling regulations.
Transition / Execution Risk
What could go wrong during the changeover period?
Single Vendor Dependency
What happens if your 3PL has a major failure?
Labor & Staffing Risk
Hiring, training, turnover, labor disputes.
How This Framework Works
Each criterion has two fixed scores (Build vs. 3PL) representing typical outcomes for a growth-stage direct-selling company. These defaults are based on industry patterns — once you provide your real data, we'll customize them to your exact situation.
The weight is where your strategy comes in. A weight of 10 means "this is mission-critical to us right now." A weight of 1 means "nice to have but not a deciding factor." The final score is the sum of (score x weight) across all criteria.
The power of this model: When you adjust weights to reflect your real priorities, the answer emerges from your own strategic thinking — not from a gut feeling. It turns a complex, emotional decision into a data-driven conversation you can present to your CEO and board.