Integration Intelligence

The Work Behind M&A Execution

Most integration advice is written from the outside looking in.

Slide decks. Frameworks. Checklists.
Clean diagrams that ignore the mess that actually shows up on Day 12.

Integration Intelligence is different.

This is the operator view of M&A execution — built from inside carve-outs, TSA exits, cross-functional integrations, and the moments where “green” status reports hide real fragility.

Because integration failure rarely looks dramatic.

It looks like drift.
It looks like fatigue.
It looks like small misalignments compounding quietly until value capture erodes.

The pages below break down the real mechanics of post-close execution:

  • How to structure an Integration Management Office

  • How to build an integration plan that survives reality

  • Why TSA exits derail

  • What executives should actually measure

  • How to detect execution risk before milestones slip

These are not theoretical models.

They are operator-built frameworks designed for leaders responsible for outcomes — not presentation decks.


What You’ll Find Here

Each topic includes:

  • Clear definitions (no jargon inflation)

  • Common failure patterns

  • Execution design principles

  • Practical frameworks

  • Signals executives should watch for

If you are responsible for post-merger integration, carve-outs, or complex transformation work, this section is designed to sharpen your thinking — not sell you generic advice.


Core Integration Frameworks

M&A Integration Plan

How to design a post-close execution plan that survives real-world pressure — not just Day 1 optimism.

Read the Framework

Integration Management Office (IMO) Structure

What an IMO should actually track, how governance works in practice, and why most PMO structures fail inside integrations.

Read the Framework

Carve-Out Integration Strategy

Execution design for complex separations, TSA dependencies, and regulatory risk.

Read the Framework

TSA Exit Planning

Why TSA timelines slip, where fragility hides, and how to structure clean exits without operational fallout.

Read the Framework

Integration Drift & Execution Risk

How to detect early signals of milestone erosion before they show up in executive reporting.

Read the Framework

Integration Readiness Assessment

What “ready” actually means before close — and why most teams misjudge it.

Read the Framework


About Integration Consulting Group

Integration Consulting Group works with operators and PE-backed leadership teams to design and execute disciplined, outcome-focused integrations.

The frameworks described here are embedded in the firm’s execution methodology and in the Run Ready system — a structured approach to integration readiness, drift detection, and milestone integrity.

If you need support applying these principles inside a live transaction, you can contact us directly.