With many business mergers failing, corporations must take a fresh look at why and how they acquire and merge if they hope to engage in transactions that ultimately generate business value.

Involving an outsourcing partner in integration planning and execution improves the chances of merger success and reduces risk. Outsourcing also increases the speed with which companies achieve their merger goals. The outsourcer, whose core competency is large–scale transition and change management, can help to alleviate some instability and free management to focus on achieving the strategic intent of the transaction.