Comprehensive operational due diligence framework for PE-backed acquisitions. 70 diligence items across 8 domains with RAG ratings and structured findings capture.
| Domain | Items | Red | Amber | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operations & Org Structure | 10 | 1 | 3 | At risk |
| Financial Performance | 10 | 2 | 2 | At risk |
| Workforce & Labor | 10 | 0 | 3 | Acceptable |
| Technology & Systems | 9 | 1 | 2 | At risk |
| Supply Chain & Contracts | 10 | 0 | 1 | Acceptable |
Work through each domain sequentially. Earlier sections surface issues that inform later ones.
Every operational domain that surfaces deal risk — structured, scored, and documented
This checklist is designed for the operational side of PE deal diligence.
One product. Two license types.
| Without this checklist | With this checklist |
|---|---|
| Operational diligence is ad-hoc — different items checked on every deal | 70 items across 8 domains, consistent on every deal |
| Red flags discovered after close, when leverage is gone | Red flags documented pre-close with structured RAG ratings |
| Consultants charge $50K–$150K for operational diligence workstreams | Self-service framework for $249 — reusable across every deal |
| Integration planning starts from scratch after close | Amber items become a ready-made Day 1 priority list |
It is a structured framework that covers what a full operational diligence workstream should assess. For smaller deals or bolt-on acquisitions, it may be sufficient on its own. For platform acquisitions, it serves as the operational checklist that runs alongside financial and legal diligence.
Depends on data availability. With a well-organized data room, an experienced operator can work through all 70 items in 2–3 days. In practice, the checklist runs across the full diligence period (typically 4–6 weeks) as information becomes available.
The checklist was built on industrial PE deal experience, so sections on workforce, safety, and supply chain are industrial-weighted. However, 6 of the 8 domains apply to any PE-backed acquisition — org structure, financials, technology, contracts, regulatory, and cyber/ESG.
The PDF is a fixed framework — score it as-is. The Consulting License includes the editable Word source file for customization.
A former Big-4 consultant (KPMG, EY) and Managing Director with direct PE deal experience across industrial platform acquisitions. The diligence domains reflect real operational assessments conducted under PE sponsor oversight.
70 diligence items. 8 domains. RAG-rated. Reusable on every deal.