Which parts of support routing should Northline own?
Recommend an ownership boundary and explain what would make you revisit it.
The question
Northline needs to launch routing in 12 weeks. The vendor can run its platform in 8 weeks. The team can build the full stack in 18 weeks, or own the rules and audit log in 10 weeks using the vendor’s execution service. Assume the three designs meet the accuracy target. Northline must export the decision history and change its own rules.
“Which parts of support routing should Northline own?”
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A strong answer, step by step
Open each step in turn. This is one strong answer, not the only one.
Step 1: Name the deadline
“An 18-week full build misses the 12-week deadline. I would compare the two options that can launch on time.”
Why it works: Both control and launch date matter.
Step 2: Choose what to own
What would you do here? Open the move you’d make.
Own the rules and audit log
The strong move. Northline keeps control and can launch in 10 weeks.
Use the complete vendor platform
Tempting, but it misses something. The earlier launch does not establish control over the rules and records.
Build the entire stack
Tempting, but it misses something. The 18-week build misses the 12-week deadline.
See how a strong candidate says it
“I would own the routing rules and audit log. I would use the vendor to execute the rules.”
Why it works: This keeps rule changes and decision records under Northline’s control.
Step 3: Respond to the new term
“The vendor now requires its own editor and will export only summary counts. I would reject those terms and ask the COO to move the deadline so we can build.”
Why it works: Both vendor routes now fail the decision history requirement.
Step 4: Test portability
“Before signing, I would have an engineer replay a sample from the exported log using the saved rule versions.”
Why it works: A file export is useful only if it contains enough information to reconstruct the decision.
The answer, in short
- Decision
- Own rules and logs. Use the vendor for execution under the initial terms.
- Because
- The 10-week plan meets the deadline and preserves control of the rules and records.
- What would change it
- A loss of rule control or audit history rules out the vendor plans. Ask for a deadline change.
Common traps
- Choosing before naming the binding constraint.
Check your answer
- Did I name the decision?
- Did I apply the constraint?
- Did I respond to the new fact?
- Did I name evidence to verify?
Last reviewed Nov 10, 2026