What phase involves making "make or buy" decisions in a government management cycle?

The phase that involves making "make or buy" decisions is programming. This phase is focused on determining how to best implement government programs and services, which includes deciding whether to internally provide those services (make) or to contract them out to external providers (buy). These decisions are crucial as they can significantly impact efficiency, cost, and quality of service delivery.

During the programming phase, government entities assess their capabilities, resources, and the potential benefits of outsourcing versus performing tasks in-house. This involves evaluating factors such as cost-effectiveness, quality control, and the availability of skilled personnel. Ultimately, the goal is to identify the most effective means of delivering services to meet public needs.

In contrast, planning generally deals with setting goals and identifying the resources needed to achieve those goals, while budgeting is concerned with allocating financial resources to those goals. Auditing involves reviewing and assessing how resources have been utilized, rather than deciding how they should be acquired or provided.