A tailored course, built for your situation
Production-Grade Operating-Model Design for Acquisitive Organizations
Build scalable, integration-ready operating models that deliver value from acquisition to execution
$199 one-time
24-hour access provisioning
30-day money-back guarantee
Hand-built implementation playbook
12 modules. 12 chapters per module. 144 chapters total.
12 modules, each with 12 chapters (144 chapters total), text-based, plus downloadable templates and a hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Acquisitions fail not from lack of strategy, but from lack of operational design
The situation this course is for
Organizations invest heavily in M&A, yet struggle to integrate capabilities, align governance, and sustain performance post-close. The missing link is a production-grade operating model that translates strategy into repeatable operations.
Who this is for
Business architects, operating-model leads, integration managers, and senior technology strategists in organizations pursuing growth through acquisition
Who this is not for
This is not for consultants focused on one-off assessments or professionals not involved in post-acquisition integration or operating-model design
What you walk away with
- Design operating models that scale across merged entities
- Align governance, capability, and delivery rhythms across acquired units
- Accelerate time-to-value post-acquisition with structured integration playbooks
- Implement production-grade documentation and feedback loops
- Reduce integration risk through standardized operating-model components
The 12 modules (with all 144 chapters)
Module 1. Foundations of Acquisitive Operating Models
Establish core principles of operating-model design in acquisition contexts
12 chapters in this module
- Defining production-grade operating models
- The role of operating models in M&A success
- Key dimensions: governance, capability, process, data
- Operating model vs. business model
- Integration readiness assessment
- Common failure patterns in post-acquisition design
- Stakeholder alignment frameworks
- Operating model lifecycle stages
- Scalability thresholds in merged environments
- Regulatory and compliance implications
- Cross-functional coordination models
- Building the business case for operating-model investment
Module 2. Governance Architecture for Merged Entities
Design governance structures that unify oversight without stifling agility
12 chapters in this module
- Principles of post-merger governance
- Board-level operating model engagement
- Decision rights allocation across units
- Escalation pathways and conflict resolution
- Steering committee design and cadence
- Performance oversight mechanisms
- Compliance governance across jurisdictions
- Risk ownership in integrated operations
- Change control in evolving models
- Executive sponsorship models
- Audit readiness in merged environments
- Governance documentation standards
Module 3. Capability Mapping Across Acquired Units
Identify, harmonize, and rationalize capabilities post-acquisition
12 chapters in this module
- Capability modeling fundamentals
- Cross-unit capability inventory techniques
- Overlap and gap analysis methods
- Capability ownership assignment
- Core vs. context capability classification
- Capability maturity benchmarking
- Integration sequencing strategies
- Capability transition playbooks
- Shared services identification
- Technology capability alignment
- Workforce capability assessment
- Capability roadmap development
Module 4. Process Integration and Standardization
Unify processes across organizations while preserving value
12 chapters in this module
- Process inventory and documentation review
- Critical process identification
- Process harmonization frameworks
- Standard operating procedure development
- Process ownership models
- Cross-functional workflow design
- Exception handling in integrated processes
- Process performance metrics
- Automation readiness assessment
- Change management for process shifts
- Process validation techniques
- Continuous improvement integration
Module 5. Data and System Integration Strategy
Align data models, systems, and interoperability across merged entities
12 chapters in this module
- Data landscape assessment post-acquisition
- Master data management planning
- System rationalization frameworks
- Integration architecture patterns
- API strategy for interoperability
- Data governance in merged environments
- Legacy system transition planning
- Single source of truth establishment
- Data quality assurance protocols
- System ownership and maintenance models
- Interoperability testing frameworks
- Technical debt management in integration
Module 6. Operating Rhythm and Cadence Design
Establish unified planning, review, and execution cycles
12 chapters in this module
- Operating rhythm fundamentals
- Cross-entity planning cycles
- Performance review cadence design
- Budgeting and forecasting alignment
- Resource allocation rhythms
- Risk review integration
- Change control meeting structures
- Leadership sync frameworks
- Board reporting integration
- Quarterly business review design
- Ad-hoc decision escalation models
- Rhythm communication protocols
Module 7. Talent and Leadership Integration
Align leadership structures and talent strategies across organizations
12 chapters in this module
- Leadership model assessment
- Role clarity and duplication resolution
- Succession planning in merged units
- Compensation and incentive alignment
- Cultural integration frameworks
- Talent retention strategies
- Leadership communication playbooks
- Cross-unit collaboration incentives
- Onboarding for integrated teams
- Leadership development in transition
- Performance management alignment
- Feedback loop integration
Module 8. Financial Integration and Value Tracking
Unify financial systems and track value realization from integration
12 chapters in this module
- Financial model harmonization
- Cost synergy tracking frameworks
- Revenue integration planning
- Shared cost center design
- Transfer pricing models
- Capital allocation alignment
- Value realization metrics
- Integration cost tracking
- Financial reporting unification
- Audit trail integration
- Budget ownership models
- Financial control standardization
Module 9. Risk and Compliance Integration
Harmonize risk frameworks and compliance obligations across entities
12 chapters in this module
- Regulatory landscape mapping
- Compliance obligation inventory
- Risk framework alignment
- Control rationalization
- Audit program integration
- Third-party risk consolidation
- Policy harmonization strategies
- Incident response unification
- Reporting obligation alignment
- Regulatory relationship management
- Compliance training integration
- Ongoing monitoring frameworks
Module 10. Change Management and Adoption
Drive adoption of new operating models across merged teams
12 chapters in this module
- Change impact assessment
- Stakeholder engagement planning
- Communication strategy development
- Resistance identification and mitigation
- Adoption metric design
- Pilot and rollout sequencing
- Feedback collection mechanisms
- Training program integration
- Leadership alignment workshops
- Celebration of milestones
- Sustainment planning
- Change network activation
Module 11. Technology Operating Model Alignment
Integrate technology strategy, delivery, and operations
12 chapters in this module
- Technology strategy harmonization
- IT governance integration
- Application portfolio rationalization
- Delivery model alignment (Agile, DevOps)
- Platform strategy unification
- Infrastructure consolidation planning
- Cybersecurity model integration
- Vendor management alignment
- Architecture governance
- Technical standards adoption
- Innovation pipeline integration
- Technology investment prioritization
Module 12. Sustainment and Evolution
Ensure the operating model evolves with the business
12 chapters in this module
- Operating model health assessment
- Feedback loop integration
- Performance metric evolution
- Governance adaptation frameworks
- Scaling thresholds and triggers
- Continuous improvement integration
- Operating model versioning
- Stakeholder review cycles
- Adaptation to new acquisitions
- Decommissioning legacy models
- Knowledge transfer protocols
- Operating model audit and refresh
How this maps to your situation
- Post-acquisition integration planning
- Operating model transformation in merged entities
- Scaling operating models after growth via acquisition
- Establishing board-level operating model governance
Before vs. after
Before
Operating models are treated as strategic artifacts with limited operational grounding, leading to slow integration, misaligned teams, and unrealized value.
After
Operating models are production-grade systems that drive execution, align governance, and accelerate value realization across merged organizations.
What's included with your purchase
- 12 modules with 12 chapters each (144 chapters)
- Downloadable templates and worked examples for every module
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Delivery and format
- Course and learning environment access provisioned within 24 hours of purchase
- Hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access
Format: Text-based modules and chapters in the Art of Service learning environment, plus downloadable templates and worked examples for every chapter, plus the hand-built implementation playbook delivered alongside course access.
Time investment: Approximately 40-50 hours of focused learning, designed for completion over 8-10 weeks with real-world application.
If nothing changes
Without a structured approach, organizations risk prolonged integration timelines, duplicated efforts, compliance gaps, and erosion of acquisition value.
How this compares to the alternatives
Unlike generic M&A integration guides or high-level strategy frameworks, this course delivers implementation-grade detail across all operating-model components, with practical templates and a tailored playbook for immediate use.
Frequently asked
Who is this course designed for?
Business architects, integration leads, operating-model designers, and senior technology or operations leaders in organizations pursuing growth through acquisition.
How is the course structured?
12 modules, each containing 12 chapters (144 chapters total).
Is there a certificate upon completion?
Yes, a certificate of completion is issued after finishing all modules and assessments.
$199 one-time. Approximately 40-50 hours of focused learning, designed for completion over 8-10 weeks with real-world application..
Within 24 hours your account in the learning environment is provisioned and the tailored implementation playbook is delivered alongside it.
30-day money-back guarantee·
144 chapters·
Hand-built playbook included·
Account access within 24 hours