Underpinning all of this is data.
Merging companies means merging data – customer records, financial reports, compliance documentation, operational systems, and so much more. Every insight that drives decision-making, every workflow that keeps the business running, depends on data being accessible, accurate, and aligned.
That makes the Data Team indispensable to a successful merger.
At BizCubed we provide data engineering support to help Data Teams navigate complex data migrations, ensuring efficiency and data integrity through expert guidance and best practices. The goal is not just to move data from one system to another—it is to ensure that the combined business can rely on its data to operate effectively from day one and beyond.
That is where BizCubed’s CAN-SHOULD-DID (CSD) Framework comes in. CSD provides a structured approach to assess, plan, execute and monitor data migration and integration effectively, over the course of the merger and beyond.
A Merger Framework for Data Teams
Throughout a merger, Data Teams must be prepared to answer five key questions:
What CAN we do with the existing data ecosystem?
Before making any moves, Data Teams need a clear picture of the current landscape. Before touching any data, map out all possible actions you CAN do as it currently stands. This step is about documentation—listing all data pipelines, governance controls, data flows, processes, and dependencies. Thoroughly documenting everything that CAN happen makes it easier to spot gaps and overlaps.
For example:
- How is data collected, stored, and shared?
- What reports, dashboards and workflows are currently in place?
- What are the steps required to run each particular job or report?
- Who has access to what, and what governance policies are in place?
- What data workflow dependencies exist?
At BizCubed, we help you document and assess your data ecosystem so you can understand the full scope of your data migration, in preparation for a smooth and transparent transition.
What SHOULD we be doing to ensure data consistency?
Not everything that can be done should be done. The SHOULD step in the CSD framework ensures that data migration and integration follow best practices, governance standards, and operational needs.
Key considerations:
- What data and processes should be kept because they are critical to business continuity? What needs fixing?
- What processes should be run on a particular day?
- What security and compliance rules must be followed?
- What data dependencies should be maintained or improved?
Aligning dependencies, processes and governance from the outset prevents costly rework later. At BizCubed, we guide Data Teams in defining a roadmap for data integration and help mitigate the risk of delays, ensuring you remain on track even when things do not go according to plan.
What DID happen, and how do we measure success?
Once data migration starts, you need real-time visibility into what is working and what is not. The DID step focuses on execution and tracking outcomes.
Ask yourself:
- Did the data pipelines run as expected?
- Did we complete these particular tasks?
- Did we discover any unexpected issues?
- Did we encounter unexpected gaps in documentation?
- How do we track progress and measure success over time?
At BizCubed, we use our proven data engineering methodology to continuously measure for success, identifying opportunities for improvement throughout the process. This evaluation helps you find the gaps and make the necessary improvements.
Are we maintaining operational resilience?
Mergers bring change, but data operations must remain stable, even as they evolve. Operational anchors like team rotation and establishing a cadence of daily, hourly, weekly, monthly processes play key roles in ensuring knowledge is shared widely, preventing single points of failure. These anchors help maintain consistency and effectiveness in data operations, during transitions like mergers and beyond.
Key questions to ask:
- Can multiple engineers fix critical pipelines?
- Do we have a regular process for data validation?
- Is leadership allowing teams to act quickly without too many approvals?
- Do we have repeatable processes for assessing for and responding to issues?
- How will we communicate about requests, priorities, actions etc. and who needs access to those updates?
Are we building long-term data trust?
A merger is not just about transferring data—it is about building a reliable, consistent data ecosystem that supports business objectives and underpins business success. Data teams are expected to ensure that decision-makers can trust the integrated data.
Trust comes from:
- Governance: Clear ownership of and accountability for data
- Security: Robust access controls and data protection measures such as encryption
- Documentation: A single source of truth for all processes
At BizCubed, we help you not only migrate data but – critically – establish a strong foundation for long-term trust in your data ecosystem. By applying the CAN-SHOULD-DID framework, you can set your business up for long-term success and operational excellence.
If your organisation is preparing for a merger, BizCubed is here to help. Let’s talk.