Build vs Buy vs Partner: What's Changed for CHROs and Why It Matters Now?

For years, technology decisions in HR came down to a fairly straightforward question: do we build something ourselves or buy an existing solution?

AI has changed that equation.

In our latest webinar, Haris sat down with Carolyn Moore, Founder & Fractional Chief People Officer at CultureFluence Consulting, to discuss why organizations need to rethink technology decisions, how AI is reshaping HR's role, and why the real challenge isn't choosing the newest tool—it's making the right long-term decision for the business.

Below is a recap of the conversation, but you can watch the full webinar HERE.

Start with the problem, not the technology

One of the biggest themes throughout the conversation was that organizations often jump straight to evaluating AI tools before defining the problem they're trying to solve.

As Carolyn put it:

"What problem are we trying to solve?"

Whether the answer is to build, buy, or partner depends entirely on that question. AI shouldn't drive the strategy—the business should.

Don't build just because you can

AI has made it easier than ever to build internal tools, but that doesn't mean every workflow should be built in-house.

Carolyn cautioned HR leaders against following the trend simply because everyone else is.

"Don't be bullied into build."

She explained that while internal tools can make sense for unique workflows, organizations also need to think about maintenance, integrations, security, compliance, and long-term ownership—not just how quickly they can build a prototype.

AI should make HR more strategic

The discussion wasn't about replacing HR—it was about giving HR teams more time to focus on higher-value work.

Carolyn shared that many HR leaders still spend much of their time on administrative work instead of culture, workforce strategy, and business partnership. AI has the opportunity to change that by automating repetitive tasks and allowing people teams to spend more time on decisions that move the business forward.

As Haris summarized near the end of the conversation, the goal isn't simply to save money—it's to free up time so HR can become more strategic.

The best vendor isn't always the one with the most features

Another interesting takeaway was that software features are becoming easier to replicate.

What increasingly matters is the relationship behind the product.

Carolyn encouraged leaders to evaluate vendors based on how well they understand the business, how they support customers through change, and whether they'll continue to evolve alongside rapidly changing AI capabilities—not just what appears on a pricing page.

Technology is only half the job

The webinar closed with a reminder that even the best AI tools won't succeed without adoption.

Technology decisions still require thoughtful change management, stakeholder buy-in, and clear communication across the organization.

Buying the right platform is important.

Helping people actually use it is what creates value.

Final Takeaway

The question is no longer simply build or buy.

Organizations now have more options than ever—including partnering with specialized providers—but the best decision depends on understanding the business problem first.

As Haris summarized:

"Think about what the business KPIs are... work backwards... don't let people pressure you... you're going to be responsible for the outcomes."

The organizations that succeed with AI won't necessarily be the ones building the most tools. They'll be the ones making thoughtful decisions about where to build, where to buy, and where the right partnership creates the greatest long-term value.

Watch the full webinar HERE.

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