The Build-Buy Spectrum
One of the most critical decisions an engineering leader faces is where to invest internal engineering resources. Every line of code written internally is a line of code that must be maintained forever.
"Only build internally when it provides a distinct competitive advantage for your core business. Everything else should be off-the-shelf or managed services."
Standardization vs Autonomy
The mental model here is to create 'Paved Paths' standard ways of doing things that are so well-supported and easy to use that teams choose them, rather than being forced to use them.