Management Consulting

During a complex merger and acquisition (M&A) deal involving two major healthcare organizations, Aon faced significant challenges in managing the integration of over 110,000 employees across two separate human resource management systems. The client required a tailored solution to ensure a smooth transition and effective management of human capital-related issues, which included benefits, compensation programs, and employee communication. To address these challenges, Aon established a centralized Project Management Office (PMO) specifically for HR, which served as a steering committee overseeing the entire deal process. This PMO was structured to include executive sponsorship from the chief human resources officer and management from both the acquiring and divesting companies, along with representation from finance and business development. The PMO coordinated across various workstreams necessary for the merger, including total rewards, employment law, HR systems, payroll, talent organization, and employee communications. Aon's proprietary HR project management software, TransAction Manager™, was utilized as the primary tool for project reporting, tracking, and organizational planning. This platform enabled the client to work with real-time employee data through daily feeds from the respective HR systems of record, facilitating better decision-making regarding talent selection and integration of rewards systems. The implementation of this structured approach and the use of specialized software led to quantifiable benefits, including the timely execution of HR functions critical to the merger's success. Aon’s proactive planning allowed the client to address potential issues early, ensuring that employees had access to health insurance from day one post-deal and that the new company’s payroll was operational without delays. This meticulous management of the integration process not only safeguarded employee satisfaction but also enhanced the overall value of the merger, demonstrating the importance of effective project management in M&A scenarios.