M&A Integration SOP¶

Sub-procedure for Innovate pillar digital transformation

Overview¶

This sub-procedure defines the methodology for planning and executing technology and security integration following a merger or acquisition. It covers Day 1 readiness, integration planning, execution, and stabilization to realize synergies while maintaining business continuity.

Scope¶

Pillar: Innovate (Digital Transformation) Service Area: M&A Due Diligence Related Services: Cloud Migration, IT Strategy

Prerequisites¶

Deal closed or closing imminent
Due diligence findings available
Integration decision made (full, partial, standalone)
Integration governance structure defined
Key stakeholders identified (both organizations)
Integration budget approved

Procedure¶

Step 1: Integration Planning¶

Objective: Develop comprehensive integration plan

Integration Strategy Confirmation:
Integration model (absorption, best of breed, standalone)
Target state vision
Synergy targets and timeline
Guiding principles
Workstream Definition:
Infrastructure integration
Application rationalization
Security integration
Data integration
Organization integration
Timeline Development:
Day 1 requirements
30/60/90 day milestones
Long-term integration phases
Dependencies and critical path
Resource Planning:
Integration team structure
Resource requirements
External support needs
Budget allocation

Duration: 5-10 days Owner: Integration Lead

Step 2: Day 1 Readiness¶

Objective: Ensure business continuity at close

Critical Systems:
Identify Day 1 critical systems
Validate operational status
Document support contacts
Establish escalation paths
Security Essentials:
Network segmentation (if needed)
Access provisioning for key personnel
Security monitoring continuity
Incident response coordination
Communication:
IT communication to employees
Support desk readiness
Key contact distribution
FAQ and runbooks
Legal/Compliance:
Data handling during transition
Regulatory notifications
Contract assignments
License transfers

Duration: 3-5 days Owner: Day 1 Lead

Step 3: Infrastructure Integration¶

Objective: Consolidate infrastructure environments

Network Integration:
Network connectivity planning
IP address management
DNS consolidation
Firewall and security groups
VPN/remote access
Identity Integration:
Directory consolidation (AD, Azure AD)
Single sign-on implementation
Access management unification
Privileged access consolidation
Cloud Integration:
Cloud account consolidation
Landing zone alignment
Cost management unification
Governance framework extension
Data Center:
Data center strategy
Workload migration planning
Decommissioning schedule
Hybrid connectivity

Duration: 30-90 days (varies by complexity) Owner: Infrastructure Lead

Step 4: Application Integration¶

Objective: Rationalize and integrate application portfolio

Portfolio Analysis:
Application inventory consolidation
Overlap identification
Disposition decisions (keep, retire, migrate)
Priority sequencing
Core System Integration:
ERP integration/consolidation
CRM unification
HR systems integration
Finance systems consolidation
Integration Execution:
Data migration planning
Integration development
Testing and validation
Cutover execution
Decommissioning:
Retired system sunset
Data archival
License termination
Documentation updates

Duration: 90-365 days (varies by complexity) Owner: Applications Lead

Step 5: Security Integration¶

Objective: Unify security posture

Policy Harmonization:
Security policy alignment
Standards consolidation
Procedure integration
Exception management
Control Consolidation:
Security tool rationalization
SIEM integration
Endpoint protection unification
Vulnerability management consolidation
Compliance Alignment:
Compliance scope expansion
Audit readiness
Certification maintenance
Evidence collection unification
Team Integration:
Security team structure
Roles and responsibilities
On-call consolidation
Training and enablement

Duration: 60-180 days Owner: Security Lead

Step 6: Data Integration¶

Objective: Consolidate and govern data assets

Data Inventory:
Combined data inventory
Classification alignment
Ownership assignment
Quality assessment
Data Migration:
Master data management
Data warehouse consolidation
Analytics platform integration
Reporting unification
Data Governance:
Governance framework extension
Data protection controls
Retention policy alignment
Privacy compliance
Analytics Integration:
BI tool consolidation
Dashboard migration
Report standardization
Self-service enablement

Duration: 90-180 days Owner: Data Lead

Step 7: Stabilization and Optimization¶

Objective: Ensure stable operations and realize synergies

Operational Stabilization:
Hypercare period
Issue resolution
Performance tuning
User feedback collection
Synergy Realization:
Cost synergy tracking
License optimization
Vendor consolidation
Headcount alignment
Documentation:
Updated architecture documentation
Integrated operations procedures
Knowledge base consolidation
Training materials
Lessons Learned:
Integration retrospective
Success metrics evaluation
Best practices documentation
Future M&A playbook updates

Duration: 30-60 days Owner: Integration Lead

Deliverables¶

Deliverable	Format	Owner
Integration Master Plan	Word/PDF + Project	Integration Lead
Day 1 Runbook	Word/Confluence	Day 1 Lead
Infrastructure Integration Plan	Word/PDF	Infrastructure Lead
Application Rationalization Plan	Excel	Applications Lead
Security Integration Plan	Word/PDF	Security Lead
Data Integration Plan	Word/PDF	Data Lead
Integration Status Reports	PowerPoint (weekly)	Integration Lead
Lessons Learned Report	Word/PDF	Integration Lead

Quality Gates¶

Integration plan approved by steering committee
Day 1 readiness validated and signed off
Critical systems operational post-close
Security integration milestones achieved
Application rationalization decisions documented
Data migration validated
Synergy targets on track
Lessons learned documented

Integration Timeline Template¶

Phase	Timeline	Key Activities
Pre-Close	-30 to 0 days	Day 1 planning, critical systems prep
Day 1	Close	Network connectivity, access provisioning
Month 1	0-30 days	Basic integration, communication, stabilization
Quarter 1	30-90 days	Infrastructure integration, security unification
Quarter 2-4	90-365 days	Application rationalization, data integration
Year 2+	365+ days	Optimization, synergy realization, steady state

Integration Governance¶

Role	Responsibilities	Meeting Cadence
Steering Committee	Strategic decisions, issue escalation	Weekly/Bi-weekly
Integration Lead	Day-to-day management, coordination	Daily
Workstream Leads	Functional area execution	Daily/Weekly
PMO	Tracking, reporting, risk management	Daily

Last Updated: February 2026