Plan Post Merger Integration

---
name: plan-post-merger-integration
description: "Turn synergies into an owner/date/cost-to-achieve register and a 100-day plan, and price integration cost back into the valuation — so the deal isn't underwritten on flawless integration. Reach for this before signing, not after close."
---

# Skill: Plan post-merger integration

Integration risk is priced pre-signing or paid post-close (§3 #6).

## Step 1 — Build the synergy register
List every synergy with a named **owner**, a **realization date**, and a **one-time cost to achieve** (§3 #3). Separate cost synergies (higher confidence) from revenue synergies (lower confidence, phased later). An un-owned synergy is a wish — drop it or assign it.

## Step 2 — Estimate dis-synergies and integration cost
Estimate the one-time integration cost, expected dis-synergies (customer/employee attrition, disruption), and the timeline. This number feeds back to the valuation (§3 #6).

## Step 3 — Design the operating model
Decide the integration depth (full absorb / partner / standalone) per function, and the Day-1 readiness list (systems, comms, authority, customer continuity).

## Step 4 — Underwrite retention
Build the retention plan for key people identified in diligence (§3 #7) — the economics, the timing, the risk if they leave. Route package terms to counsel.

## Step 5 — Sequence the 100 days
Sequence the first 100 days across operating model, systems, people, and customers, with owners and dates and the synergy milestones that fall inside the window.

## Output
A synergy register (owner/date/cost-to-achieve), an integration-cost + dis-synergy estimate fed back to valuation, an operating-model decision, a retention plan, and a 100-day plan. See [`../../templates/integration-plan.md`](../../templates/integration-plan.md).