Mergers & Acquisitions Programs Bootcamp

This course is designed to support a wide range of professionals involved in managing complex IT projects related to mergers and acquisitions. The ideal audience includes:

• Business leaders and executives who are involved in the strategic planning and execution of mergers and acquisitions and want to gain a deeper understanding of the IT aspects of these projects.
• Project managers who are responsible for managing IT projects related to mergers and acquisitions, including IT professionals such as project managers, program managers, IT directors, IT managers, IT coordinators, and other IT leaders.
• IT professionals who are looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in managing IT projects related to mergers and acquisitions.
  

Participants will learn about key concepts and best practices in the following areas:  

• Module 1: Key M&A Definitions
  • Understanding the various terms and concepts related to mergers and acquisitions, and their implications for IT project management. 
    • Due Diligence
    • Post-Merger Integration (PMI)
    • Synergies & Opportunities for Systems Elimination
    • M&A PMCoE 
    • Tech Harmonization Initiatives
• Module 2: Legal and Regulatory Considerations: 
  • Examining the legal and regulatory constraints that might impact IT projects in mergers and acquisitions, and how to navigate these challenges from IT and delivery perspectives. 
• Module 3: Integration of Different Systems and Processes: 
  • Managing the integration of different IT systems and business processes in a merger or acquisition could sometimes be a complex job to plan for due to the lack of information about the existing systems of the merging entity and hence the ambiguity in scope definition, in this course we shall discuss methods and techniques to overcome the scope definition ambiguity by applying some disciplined agile scope definition and management techniques. 
• Module 4: Risk Management
  • Identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks that arise during the IT integration process, and developing effective risk management strategies are important for the success of the merger, during this course we shall discuss common risk management profiles for M&A programs and the mitigation playbooks for each. 
• Module 5: Communication and Change Management
  • Integration of IT systems and infrastructure may be hampered by cultural differences between the two companies, leading to miscommunication, conflicts, and delays, in this course the participant will learn more about developing and implementing effective change management plans to facilitate the integration of IT systems and processes, and minimize disruption to daily operations. 
  • Developing effective communication strategies to ensure stakeholders are informed and engaged throughout the IT integration process. 
  • Cultural Integration and managing cultural differences between the merging organizations to promote collaboration and successful integration.
• Module 6: Vendor Management 
  • Managing vendor relationships and contracts to ensure that the IT integration process runs smoothly and on budget is inevitable for program managers who are willing to make it right. Poor Vendor Management in Pre-Acquisition Stage can result in underestimation of costs and complexity of integration, as well as delays and inadequate vendor performance driven by insufficient communication and alignment with vendors, failure to evaluate vendor capabilities and compatibility with the acquiring company's IT systems, and inadequate contract management.
  • Designing Service Level Agreements and Work Orders 
  • Managing the off-boarding or termination of vendors who are no longer needed can be a complex and sensitive process, especially if they possess company data or have pending work that is important. During this course the participants will learn key practices for managing this process and mitigating the risk of retaliation
• Module 7: Data Security and Governance
  • Challenges may arise in integrating the data from the two companies' IT systems, such as conflicting data formats, lack of data standards, and data quality issues. In this module; the participant will learn more about data security and governance policies that should be positioned in place to protect sensitive information during the IT integration process. 
• Module 8: First Day of Merger
  • Planning and executing the first day of the merger, including critical IT systems and processes, managing poor user adoption of the integrated IT systems and infrastructure that might result in reduced productivity, increased errors, and resistance to change, last but not least; how to manage inadequate allocation of resources, such as personnel, funding, and tools, to avoid delays, cost overruns, and failure to achieve the intended benefits of the merger.
• Module 9: Continuous Improvement and Post Merger / Acquisition Management
  • Developing strategies for continuous improvement and post-merger / acquisition management to ensure the success of the integration and long-term business growth.

1. This course could be delivered both online, and in classroom
2. The course is structured to consist of three workshops, each requiring a minimum of three hours to complete
3. Exam fee is included in the course fee
4. Participants are welcome to attend the course as many times as they wish within 12 months.
5. Any project-specific NDAs that need to be signed should be submitted at least two business weeks before the course's start date.
6. Flexible scheduling and convenient access to the course are designed to meet the needs of busy professionals
7. Upon passing the exam, participants will be certified as Complex Program Manager for M&A Programs. This certification is a testament to their mastery of the skills and knowledge necessary to successfully manage complex IT projects related to mergers and acquisitions. With this certification, participants will have the credentials and confidence needed to take on new challenges and advance their careers in the field of IT project management.
8. Participants have one retake opportunity for the exam, and the first two attempts are included in the course fee. In the event that a participant does not pass the exam after the second attempt, they must retake the course within 12 months at no additional cost before being allowed to sit for the exam again. If the participant wishes to take the exam for a third time, they must pay an additional exam fee of $800 USD before being allowed to do so. 

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the key considerations and challenges of IT project management in the context of mergers and acquisitions.
2. Develop and implement effective strategies for managing and integrating different systems and processes post-merger.
3. Implement best practices for risk management and change management in the context of IT project management in mergers and acquisitions.
4. Lead the development of effective communication strategies to ensure smooth collaboration and alignment between IT and other teams involved in the merger or acquisition.
5. Understand the importance of cultural integration in the context of IT project management in mergers and acquisitions and implement strategies to manage and overcome cultural barriers.
6. Support procurement teams to develop effective vendor management strategies to ensure the timely and successful delivery of IT projects post-merger.
7. Understand the importance of strategic planning and alignment with overall business goals in the context of IT project management in mergers and acquisitions.
8. Lead the implement for data security and governance to protect sensitive information during and after the merger or acquisition.
9. Understand the importance of continuous improvement and post-merger/acquisition management to ensure the long-term success of the merger or acquisition.
10. Understand the importance of planning for the first day of merger and develop strategies for handling the transition smoothly.

• Attend IT Project Management for Merger & Acquisition Programs
• At least 8 years of IT project management experience or 10 years of technical leadership experience
• Pass the Exam

• 2 Hours Training Assessment Workshop
• 20 Hours of Training
• 4 Hours of hands-on application activities
• 4 Hours of Back-office Project Support (per attendee)