Article revisited on June 19th, 2017
Post-merger integration requires resolute action. An M&A software platform makes it easy to define and communicate a clear integration project plan and track its completion.
In this article we’ll run an integration project, following these 4 steps:
- Define streams, objectives and relevant due diligence findings
- Define detailed project plans using best practice templates
- Collaboratively execute work, managing all integration-related issues, documents and communication
- Report progress in real-time
1. Define streams, objectives and relevant due diligence findings
Typically, integration is divided into functional streams such as legal, financial, sales, technology, and production. The integration manager defines the key objectives for each stream and links the relevant M&A due diligence findings.
Here’s how to define functional streams and the objectives for them in Midaxo:
2. Define detailed project plan using best practice templates
At the beginning of the integration effort the stream leaders define the tasks for their streams. A good company-specific integration task list template will help them remember what needs to be done. Midaxo’s M&A Playbooks provide a readymade solution that you can add to the platform and use as is, or customize based on your own preferences.
After the stream leaders have drafted the initial task lists, each stream team holds a stream-specific kickoff meeting where the task list is finalized, responsibilities are assigned, and the task-specific goals and schedule are defined.
Here’s how to define stream-specific task lists and detailed objectives in Midaxo:
A large number of the integration tasks are standard, while some are specific to the situation. The standard tasks should be defined in a post-merger integration plan template that can be reused in every project.
3. Work collaboratively, managing all integration related issues, documents and communication
The integration team can work collaboratively, sharing one version of documents, task plans and all other information. New team members are productive instantly, with less training, as they get precise tasks, objectives and instructions.
Midaxo also includes all the necessary software capabilities and eliminates the need to switch between systems.
4. Report progress in real-time
The project management stakeholders have real-time visibility of the overall progress and can drill-down to individual tasks, documents and issues.
Here’s a progress report in Midaxo:
Here’s an issue view in Midaxo:
The information needed for integration status reports is easy to compile:
