M&A Playbook

Frameworks for both sides of M&A: acquiring companies and being acquired. Every M&A decision starts with strategic rationale -- without it, you are buying problems.

Keywords

M&A, mergers and acquisitions, due diligence, acquisition, acqui-hire, integration, deal structure, valuation, LOI, term sheet, earnout, data room, strategic rationale, post-merger integration, buyer, seller, exit

Clarify First

Before generating, confirm these inputs. If any is unknown or vague, ASK — do not assume:

• Which side of the deal (acquiring vs. being acquired) — the entire playbook, checklists, and red flags differ by side
• Which deliverable is needed (strategic rationale, due diligence, valuation, deal structure, 100-day integration, or sell-side prep) — each has its own framework
• What you are really buying or selling (talent, technology, customers, or market access) — drives the rationale test, the buy-vs-build call, and where DD focuses
• The target's core financials (ARR, growth rate, NRR, customer concentration) — valuation multiples and adjustment factors are keyed to these

Stop rule: ask only the 2-3 that most change the output. If the user says "just draft it," proceed and list your assumptions at the top of the artifact.