IT Due Diligence Exercise Template (Word DOCX)

MIS WORD DESCRIPTION

Editor Summary IT Due Diligence Exercise Template is a 16-page DOCX template by Dartview Consulting that provides a structured questionnaire and deliverables for evaluating a target company’s IT infrastructure during acquisitions. Read more Includes 6 deliverables/tools: the assessment template, RAG rating charts, domain-specific question frameworks, summary report templates, action item lists, and procurement/asset documentation templates. Target users include corporate executives, integration leaders, IT consultants, risk teams, and financial analysts. Used for pre-acquisition assessments and integration planning; available on Flevy with immediate digital download.

Use when an organization needs a structured, repeatable assessment of a target’s IT estate during M&A, pre-acquisition review, or post-deal integration planning.

  Integration leaders mapping IT gaps to create post-acquisition integration action plans and timelines using the template’s action item lists.
  CIOs and IT directors auditing network, infrastructure, and desktop environments to identify technical risks and warranty or lifecycle issues.
  IT consultants conducting structured evaluations of core business applications, deployment methods, and integration readiness.
  Risk managers and financial analysts quantifying IT-related operational and continuity risks for senior management decisions.

The domain-by-domain question framework plus RAG risk-rating approach follows standard IT due diligence practice for M&A IT assessments.

Read Marcus Overview

This document is a template for conducting a Due Diligence Exercise on a potential acquisition's current IT Infrastructure and Practices.

It seeks to cover all of the main areas that need to be evaluated: Network, Infrastructure, People, Desktop Environment, Business Applications, Audio Visual, Mobile Communications, Printing/Copying/Scanning, Internet & Intranet, Procurement & Asset Management, Social Media, and IT Service Continuity Planning.

A series of questions are asked for each areas, aimed at providing an overall picture upon which Senior Management Decisions can be made

This comprehensive IT Due Diligence Exercise Template is designed to ensure a thorough evaluation of a target company's IT landscape. It includes detailed inquiries into critical areas such as Network, Infrastructure, People, Desktop Environment, Business Applications, Audio Visual, Mobile Communications, Printing/Copying/Scanning, Internet & Intranet, Procurement & Asset Management, Social Media, and IT Service Continuity Planning. Each section is meticulously structured to provide a clear and concise overview, facilitating informed decision-making by senior management.

The template features a series of targeted questions for each area, ensuring that no stone is left unturned. For instance, the Network section delves into WAN technology, external service provider commitments, and third-party access controls. The Desktop Environment section examines hardware providers, operating systems, and antivirus software, while the Core Business Applications section assesses functionality, support, and integration.

Designed by Dartview Consulting Limited, this document is an indispensable tool for any organization looking to acquire or merge with another entity. It provides a structured approach to identifying potential risks and opportunities within the IT domain, ensuring that all critical aspects are thoroughly evaluated. This template is a must-have for C-level executives seeking to make informed, strategic decisions.

MARCUS OVERVIEW

This synopsis was written by Marcus [?] based on the analysis of the full 16-slide presentation.

Executive Summary
The IT Due Diligence Exercise Template by Dartview Consulting is designed to facilitate a thorough evaluation of IT infrastructure during acquisition processes. This template provides structured inquiries across critical domains such as network, infrastructure, and core business applications. By utilizing this template, corporate executives and integration leaders can identify potential risks and opportunities, ensuring informed decision-making regarding acquisition offers and necessary adjustments.

Who This Is For and When to Use
•  Corporate executives overseeing mergers and acquisitions
•  Integration leaders responsible for IT assessments during acquisitions
•  IT consultants conducting due diligence evaluations
•  Risk management teams evaluating IT infrastructure
•  Financial analysts assessing IT-related investment risks

Best-fit moments to use this deck:
•  During pre-acquisition assessments to evaluate IT infrastructure
•  When preparing for integration planning post-acquisition
•  For identifying potential cost savings and consolidation opportunities
•  To ensure compliance with IT service continuity requirements

Learning Objectives
•  Define the scope of IT due diligence in acquisition contexts
•  Identify key IT infrastructure components and their associated risks
•  Develop a comprehensive assessment of core business applications
•  Evaluate network capabilities and performance issues
•  Analyze procurement and asset management processes
•  Establish a framework for ongoing IT service continuity

Table of Contents
•  Document History (page 3)
•  Management Summary (page 4)
•  Network (page 5)
•  Infrastructure (page 6)
•  Desktop Environment (page 7)
•  IS Resources (page 8)
•  Core Business Applications (page 9)
•  Audio Visual (page 10)
•  Mobile Communications (page 11)
•  Printing, Copying & Scanning (page 12)
•  Internet & Intranet (page 13)
•  Procurement & Asset Management (page 14)
•  Social Media (page 15)
•  IS Service Continuity (page 16)

Primary Topics Covered
•  Network - Assessment of network technology, connectivity, and performance issues, including WAN configurations and third-party access controls.
•  Infrastructure - Evaluation of the physical and virtual infrastructure, including hardware age, warranty status, and data management processes.
•  Desktop Environment - Analysis of desktop hardware and software, including operating systems, antivirus solutions, and remote support tools.
•  IS Resources - Overview of information services resources involved in the acquisition, including skill assessments and IT service management tools.
•  Core Business Applications - Review of core applications supporting business functions, their deployment methods, and integration levels.
•  Procurement & Asset Management - Examination of procurement processes for hardware and software, including documentation for ownership and asset management.

Deliverables, Templates, and Tools
•  IT Due Diligence Exercise Template for structured assessments
•  RAG (Red, Amber, Green) rating charts for risk evaluation
•  Question frameworks for each IT domain to guide evaluations
•  Summary reports for management decision-making
•  Action item lists for post-acquisition integration planning
•  Documentation templates for procurement and asset management

Slide Highlights
•  Management Summary slide outlining key issues and risks
•  RAG rating charts for quick visual assessment of IT domains
•  Detailed inquiry sections for network and infrastructure evaluations
•  Summary findings for core business applications and their support structures
•  Actionable insights for procurement and asset management processes

Potential Workshop Agenda
IT Due Diligence Overview Session (60 minutes)
•  Introduce the IT Due Diligence framework and objectives
•  Discuss the importance of thorough IT assessments in acquisitions
•  Review the RAG rating system and its application

Domain-Specific Breakout Sessions (90 minutes)
•  Conduct focused discussions on network and infrastructure assessments
•  Analyze core business applications and their integration challenges
•  Evaluate procurement and asset management processes

Customization Guidance
•  Tailor the RAG rating criteria to fit organizational risk tolerance levels
•  Adapt the inquiry questions to reflect specific industry requirements
•  Modify the action item lists based on unique acquisition scenarios
•  Incorporate company-specific terminology and metrics for clarity

Secondary Topics Covered
•  Audio visual support and its role in business operations
•  Mobile communications infrastructure and application access
•  Internet and intranet management practices
•  Social media engagement strategies and their implications
•  IS service continuity plans and their alignment with business continuity

Topic FAQ

What are the main domains I should assess in an IT due diligence review?

An IT due diligence review should examine network, infrastructure, people/IS resources, desktop environment, core business applications, audio-visual, mobile communications, printing/copying/scanning, internet & intranet, procurement & asset management, social media, and IS service continuity — twelve domains in total.

How is a RAG rating used during IT due diligence?

RAG (Red, Amber, Green) ratings provide a visual, prioritized view of risk levels across IT domains to guide immediate actions and escalation. The template includes RAG rating charts to summarize domain risks and link them to action item lists for management decision-making and integration planning.

What should I review when assessing core business applications in diligence?

Review application functionality, support model, deployment methods, integration points with other systems, and vendor commitments. Document findings in a summary report that captures support arrangements and application integration status, as facilitated by the template’s core business applications section.

What key checks belong in an IS service continuity assessment?

Service continuity checks include backup and recovery processes, continuity plans alignment with business continuity, third-party SLA commitments, and redundancies for critical services. The template maps these checks within the IS Service Continuity section and links findings to action item lists.

How should I evaluate the value of buying an IT due diligence template?

Value can be judged by included deliverables (question frameworks, RAG charts, summary report formats, action item lists), customizability for industry needs, and whether it supports senior management decision-making; this template explicitly includes RAG charts and action item lists as deliverables.

What should a small M&A team prioritize if they have limited time for IT due diligence?

Prioritize high-risk domains that affect operations and continuity (network, core applications, infrastructure, and IS service continuity), use RAG ratings to triage issues, and capture remediation actions in concise action item lists for executive review.

How can procurement and asset management be assessed during diligence?

Assess procurement processes, ownership documentation, hardware/software warranties, asset records, and lifecycle status to identify consolidation or cost-savings opportunities; the template contains a Procurement & Asset Management section and documentation templates to record these findings.

What customization options are useful for industry-specific IT due diligence?

Tailor question wording, RAG rating criteria to organizational risk tolerance, incorporate industry-specific controls or metrics, and adapt action items to the acquisition scenario; the template’s customization guidance supports modifying RAG criteria and inquiry questions.

Document FAQ
These are questions addressed within this presentation.

What is the purpose of the IT Due Diligence Exercise Template?
The template is designed to help organizations evaluate their IT infrastructure during acquisition processes, identifying risks and opportunities for informed decision-making.

How can this template assist in risk management?
By providing structured inquiries and RAG rating systems, the template allows teams to assess potential risks associated with IT infrastructure and develop actionable plans.

What types of organizations can benefit from this template?
Corporate executives, integration leaders, IT consultants, and risk management teams involved in mergers and acquisitions can all utilize this template effectively.

How should the RAG ratings be interpreted?
RAG ratings provide a visual representation of risk levels: Red indicates critical issues requiring immediate attention, Amber signifies caution, and Green denotes satisfactory conditions.

Can the template be customized for specific industries?
Yes, the template can be tailored to reflect industry-specific requirements, terminology, and risk factors to ensure relevance and effectiveness.

What key areas are assessed in the IT infrastructure evaluation?
The evaluation covers network capabilities, infrastructure age and warranty status, desktop environments, core business applications, and procurement processes.

How does the template support post-acquisition integration?
The template outlines action items and insights that can guide integration planning, ensuring that IT systems are aligned and operational post-acquisition.

Is there a specific format for documenting findings?
Yes, the template includes structured sections for documenting findings, including RAG ratings and corresponding actions required for each IT domain.

Glossary
•  IT Due Diligence - The process of evaluating IT infrastructure and resources during acquisitions.
•  RAG Rating - A color-coded system for assessing risk levels (Red, Amber, Green).
•  WAN - Wide Area Network, a telecommunications network that extends over a large geographic area.
•  IS Resources - Information services resources involved in the acquisition process.
•  Core Business Applications - Essential software applications that support key business functions.
•  Procurement - The process of acquiring goods and services, including hardware and software.
•  Asset Management - The systematic process of developing, operating, maintaining, and selling assets.
•  Service Continuity - Plans and processes to ensure continued IT service delivery during disruptions.
•  Integration Planning - The process of aligning and merging systems and processes post-acquisition.
•  Desktop Environment - The hardware and software setup used by employees for daily operations.
•  Infrastructure - The underlying physical and virtual systems that support IT operations.
•  Social Media - Online platforms used for business promotion and stakeholder engagement.

Source: Best Practices in MIS, Due Diligence Word: IT Due Diligence Exercise Template Word (DOCX) Document, Dartview Consulting