Knowledge Shelf Home Page                                                               = Member Content

Challenges of Project Management for the Integration of Organizations Into Mergers and Acquisitions Process 
– by Durval Carvalho Avila Jacintho, PMP
This article examines the processes of mergers and acquisitions, with a focus on programs and projects for the integration of the companies. It analyzes the main reasons for success and failure and considers the mistakes to be avoided, within the context of the concepts and processes for managing projects and programs of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^® Guide)—Fourth Edition, as well as on the basis of reports and experiences of companies that have experienced complex integrations. Project managers are challenged to deal with issues such as cultural influence, strategy, planning of the integration, and especially the management of people, as crucial elements to the success of these projects.