IT integration

Case Interview
New answer on Mar 19, 2021
4 Answers
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Anonymous A asked on Mar 18, 2021

Hello,

how would you structure your framework for this case (BCG case)?

" An Investment bank A has just bought another investment bank B. The teams at Bank A have estimated the back office IT integration time at 18 months, which is too long. How can we reduce this time? "

What should I know about IT integration ? what are the steps?

Thanks

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Adi
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replied on Mar 18, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Whats your solution? Please post here for us to comment.

If you looking to get started, there are some hints on two approaches I can recommend. You will still need to follow structured case solving- open the case-> claryfiying questions->hypothesis/assumptions-> etc etc

Approach 1

  • Light integration- Buyer and acquired company still co-exist as standalone environments but with limited integration of most critical services/applications
  • Rapid integration & consolidation- move straight to cloud, leverage SaaS standard solution

Approach 2

  1. Due Diligence: align on the integration vision, cost targets, project plan and RACI
  2. Integration Planning: identify high priority application, assets, infra & licenses. Create sprints
  3. Delivery: leverage cloud, SaaS to speed up integration

Hope that helps. This will require some understanding/knowledge of IT areas otherwise you can keep your solution common sensical. Give me a buzz if you need more help.

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Ian
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replied on Mar 18, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Hi there,

I would probably need a bit more context, but let me lay out an approach given my experience with far too many IT Integration projects.

The most common way to look at IT Projects is the project management triangle. So, we'll need to look at reducing quality, reducing scope (i.e. level of integration) OR increasing cost...if our goal is to reduce time.

More likely than not, this client is probably willing to increase cost to achieve these goals. In this area they can do any of the following:

People - Hire more people to get the job done. Get consultants/contractors in, etc.

Processes - Change our way of working. Get more agile. Have better PMO. Etc.

Tools - Figure out which integrations are required, which tools can support our effectors. etc.

Now, in terms of specific ideas and ways to speed up integration, I have no idea until I can ask a few clarifying questions on this case.

Feel free to message and I can take you through this thinking/approach further!

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Clara
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replied on Mar 19, 2021
McKinsey | Awarded professor at Master in Management @ IE | MBA at MIT |+180 students coached | Integrated FIT Guide aut

Hello!

Why don´t you post a suggestion, and we try to add to it? I believe you would get the most value then.

Hope it helps!

Cheers,

Clara

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Gaurav
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replied on Mar 19, 2021
#1 Career Coach for Aspiring, Practicing & Ex-Consultants|The Only 360° Coach - Ex-Mckinsey, Certified Coach & Recruiter

Hey there!

That would be very interesting to see your own approach! Send it to the comments and we will discuss it!

Good luck!

GB

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Adi gave the best answer

Adi

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Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience
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