Recovering a High-Stakes Post-Merger Integration
The Challenge
A multi-billion-dollar acquisition was on the verge of failure. The technical integration of the spin-off company was in chaos, paralyzed by redundant data centers, incompatible applications (including SAP, PeopleSoft, and legacy mainframes), and warring IT teams. The lack of a unified project plan meant critical initiatives were stalled, doubling operational costs and creating a disastrous experience for customers. The board was questioning the value of the acquisition, putting immense pressure on the executive team to show results.
Platform
Expertise
The Solution
Without intervention, the failed integration would have doubled operational costs indefinitely, eroded customer trust due to inconsistent service, and left the acquisition unable to deliver its promised synergies. The board was already questioning the deal’s value, and continued delays could have forced leadership changes, write-downs, or even a full divestiture of the acquired business.
Our Turnaround Architects were deployed to rescue the failing integration. We immediately established and implemented a full Project Management Office (PMO) from the ground up. We deployed Microsoft Project Server 2007 to consolidate, manage, and provide visibility into over 500 separate project plans. Taking command of the technical execution, we orchestrated the complete relocation of core applications, managed complex datacenter moves, and architected a new, unified network for the spin-off company. To break down silos, we leveraged extensive MS SharePoint integration for collaboration across all project teams.
The rescue transformed chaos into a structured, high-visibility program with full dashboard reporting built on MS SQL and Microsoft Reporting Services. The result was a seamless technological and operational integration that finally allowed the business to capitalize on the acquisition's strategic synergies. This success not only saved the initial investment but also created the blueprint for all future corporate acquisitions.
Results
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500+
project plans consolidated into a single PMO framework using Microsoft Project Server, creating full visibility across all initiatives.
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100%
of core applications and data centers successfully migrated into a unified network, eliminating redundant infrastructure and cutting operational costs by millions.
