A few months ago I wrote in an essay that business processes arrive in the modern age only when they have a system of record. This first started with accounting (centuries ago), which led (much more) recently to the back office and manufacturing with MRP, and then eventually ERP. The same occurred again with sales, beginning with contact managers before moving to sales force automation, and finally customer relationship management (CRM).

I’m often asked about Buy, Build or Partner (BBP), and specifically, how to best fit it into the ever-growing list of product management duties. I call it a necessary evil, as almost each and every single product manager has to contend with it for better or worse.