Ultimately, the most important thing is getting the insights you need to make informed decisions – whether you do it yourself or bring in some outside help. So, step one: figure out your business task. Step two: figure out what kind of research you need to do. Step three: decide whether to use an agency or in-house resources.

When deciding whether to conduct research on your own or outsource it to an agency, it’s important to consider several factors that can impact the success of the project. One of the most important factors is the available budget. It’s true that in-house research may seem like a cheap option, but when calculating the costs of independent research, you will still need to take into account the time spent by employees, as well as the lost benefit from being distracted from their main work.

Another factor to consider is the complexity of the research project. If the project requires specialized expertise or tools that are not available in-house, it may be more efficient to outsource to an agency. However, if your organization has a team of experienced researchers with the necessary skills and resources, keeping the project in-house can help maintain confidentiality if the research involves sensitive information.

The timeline for completing the research project is also a crucial factor to consider. If there is a tight deadline, outsourcing the research to an agency that has the resources and expertise to complete the project quickly may be more practical. Similarly, if the research involves sensitive information, such as trade secrets or customer data, it may be necessary to keep the research in-house to ensure confidentiality.