A method for consolidating application landscapes during the post-merger-integration phase

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become frequent events in today's economy. They are complex strategic transformation projects affecting both - business and information technology (IT). Still, empirical studies reveal high failure rates regarding the achievement of previously defined objectives. Taking into account the role and importance of IT in modern business models, the consolidation of application landscapes and technical infrastructure represents a challenging exercise performed during the post-merger-integration. Unfortunately, not many artifacts in the form of tangible concepts, models, and methods exist facilitating the endeavors of merging IT. After providing a broad overview on relevant literature in the area of M&A from a business and IT perspective, this article presents a method artifact for consolidating application landscapes in the course of a merger. It originates from the approach applied during a case study in the telecommunication industry where the application landscapes of two formerly independent lines of business have been merged.