M&A Strategy & Target Evaluation Framework

Build an M&A strategy and target evaluation framework for: **Organization:** {&{COMPANY_NAME}} **Strategic Growth Goals that M&A must serve:** {&{GROWTH_GOALS}} **Organic growth limitations you're trying to solve:** {&{ORGANIC_LIMITATIONS}} **Target Industries/Segments:** {&{TARGET_SEGMENTS}} **Acquisition Budget/Capacity:** {&{ACQUISITION_BUDGET}} **Integration Capability Assessment:** {&{INTEGRATION_CAPABILITY}} **Cultural Profile of Acquiring Organization:** {&{CULTURAL_PROFILE}} **Previous M&A Experience:** {&{MA_EXPERIENCE}} ## Required Output: ### 1. M&A Strategy Thesis *Why inorganic growth now, what specific capability/market/revenue gaps it fills* ### 2. Acquisition Archetype Priorities *Which types of acquisitions to prioritize and why: Acqui-hire / Tech / Revenue / Market / Capability / Defensive* ### 3. Target Screening Criteria Matrix | Criterion | Weight | Score 1–5 Description | Minimum Passing Score | *(15+ criteria across: strategic fit, financial profile, culture, technology, team, customer quality)* ### 4. Deal Structure Considerations *When to use cash vs. equity vs. earn-outs — with risk allocation rationale* ### 5. Integration Readiness Scorecard *Pre-close assessment across: Culture, Operations, Technology, Talent, Customer Retention* ### 6. Day 1 to Day 100 Integration Plan Framework *Key milestones, decisions, and communication requirements in each phase* ### 7. Value Destruction Risk Checklist *10 ways this acquisition could go wrong — and how to prevent each*