In which stage are make or buy decisions made?

Make or buy decisions are typically made during the programming stage. This stage involves the identification of needs and objectives, as well as the evaluation of how to best meet those needs. At this point, decision-makers assess whether to produce a particular service or product internally or to outsource it. This evaluation takes into consideration factors such as cost, quality, capacity, and the specific skills required.

In the planning stage, broad strategies and objectives are developed, but the specific decisions regarding production versus outsourcing have not yet been defined. During execution, focus is placed on implementing the plans that have already been decided upon, and budgeting concerns deal primarily with allocating funds rather than evaluating options. As such, the programming stage is critical because it is where these important choices are made based on analysis and projected outcomes.