Build vs Buy - Software Systems at Jurassic Park

Explore the critical software development decisions made at Jurassic Park in this insightful conference talk. Delve into the build vs. buy dilemma, examining case studies that highlight successes and failures in software system implementation. Gain valuable insights on evaluating options, costs, and risks associated with building custom software, purchasing off-the-shelf solutions, and considering alternatives. Learn about the opportunity costs of in-house development, open-source sustainability, and the potential pitfalls of vendor lock-in. Equip yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid the mistakes that contributed to Jurassic Park's downfall. Through this retrospective analysis, discover how to balance entrepreneurial innovation with enterprise-level integration, and understand the lasting consequences of software choices in high-stakes environments.

Intro
Welcome to Jurassic Park
An Uncomfortably Close Look
Build is Unique
Build is fun!
Hire Ninja Developers
Digging for the Details
"Boot up the door locks!" Dr. Alan Grant
Maintenance Time
System Health
Handling Outages
Bus Factor
Dilophosaurus Factor
"We have all the problems of a major theme park and a major zoo" Ray Amold
Maturity is overrated.
Buying is Fast
Buying Sucks
Project Manager with a shotgun
Vendors!
Option 1: Industry-Standard
Option 2: Highly Configurable
Vendor Lock-In
Sticky
Not-Invented-Here Syndrome
Mud on our Face
What is the Impact of Failure?
What is our bias?
What could we do instead?
Next Time!
Hello Newman!
JavaScript Error Monitoring an example
Our Opportunity Cost
Todd Gardner