Reviewed by Aditya Kumar · Last reviewed 2026-03-24
**Framework**: (1) Frequency—recurring = automate; one-off = manual; (2) Complexity—simple/stable = automate; (3) ROI—effort vs time saved; (4) Existing tools—managed/OSS before custom; (5) Maintenance cost. Rule: automate after 3rd repetition. Build vs buy: buy when fits +...
Framework: (1) Frequency—recurring = automate; one-off = manual; (2) Complexity—simple/stable = automate; (3) ROI—effort vs time saved; (4) Existing tools—managed/OSS before custom; (5) Maintenance cost. Rule: automate after 3rd repetition. Build vs buy: buy when fits + support; build when differentiation. Start simple; avoid over-engineering.
Pro-Move: 'We use Airflow for orchestration—didn't build scheduler. Built custom dedup logic—domain-specific, no OSS fit.'
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