
Originally published: 02/11/2021 09:21
Last version published: 10/02/2025 11:08
Publication number: ELQ-13631-14
View all versions & Certificate
Last version published: 10/02/2025 11:08
Publication number: ELQ-13631-14
View all versions & Certificate

M&A (Mergers & Acquisitions) Commercial Due Diligence (CDD) Models, Templates and Frameworks Bundle
20+ Buy-Side Commercial Due Diligence Models, Templates and Frameworks for Bankers and Strategy Consultants to use when analyzing a Target Company in M&A.

Chief of Staff @Wimi, Co-founder @Eloquens, Strategy Frameworks Author @Skyrocket, Associate Professor of Marketing & Strategy @Ecole HexagoneFollow 216

PNC Bank Distinguished Professor in Strategy & Entrepreneurship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel HillFollowed

S.C.Johnson Distinguished Professor of International Marketing at Northwestern University β Author β SpeakerFollow
Description
Buy-Side Commercial Due Diligence (CDD) is an activity instigated by a potential buyer (Corporate or Private Equity PE) to analyse and reveal a target's company business model, commercial potential and synergies, during an M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) operation. It is generally led and conducted by a Strategy Consulting Firm (e.g. BCG, McKinsey, Bain, Strategy& etc.). The output is generally a 50 to 200 slide long document, enabling the potential buyer to assess the standalone and/or combined evolution of the target company in the next 5 to 10 years.
The CDD is generally conducted prior to the actual deal but after the short-listing of potential acquisition targets (almost always already reduced to 1 preferred candidate).
It is generally combined with Legal Due Diligences (LDD) and Financial Due Diligence (FDD), carried out by different firms, or the same if a big 4 (e.g. PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG).
It gives insights on many sides of the target business such as: market dynamics, competition, revenue, market positioning, demand etc.
A commercial Due Dilligence is usually composed of three phases:
In the report the "classic" aspects covered are generally:
Why are Commercial Due Diligences (CDDs) generally conducted?
More on Commercial Due Diligence by DealRoom hereΒ or by BCG.
Having worked on several Commercial Due Diligences myself both on the sell-side (at adVentures) and buy-side (at Strategy& ), I have combined here a list of models, frameworks and templates for Strategy Consultants, which can be specifically pertinent in a CDD. More will be added progressively.
The current list of models, frameworks and templates focuses on:
π― TARGET SCREENING:
β McKinsey's Strategic Control Map
β M&A Buy-Side Target Screening Nine-Box Matrix
β M&A Sell-Side Target Screening Nine-Box Matrix
β Due Diligence Targets Shortlist
π MARKET ANALYSIS:
β Porter's Five Forces
β PEST & PESTLE Analysis
β Accenture Disruptability Index Matrix Template
π MARKET POSITIONING / COMPETITOR ANALYSIS:
β Market Positioning VS Competition
β BCG (Boston Consulting Group) Growth-Share Matrix
β Competition Feature Comparison
β Market Mapping/ Industry Landscape Template
π€ PRICING ANALYSIS:
β Pricing Positioning - Industry Competitor Analysis
β Kotler's Quality vs Price
β Bowman's Strategy Clock
π STRATEGIC PLANNING / BUSINESS MODELLING:
β McKinseyβs Portfolio of Initiatives
β Ansoff Matrix Framework - Product/Market Expansion Grid
β Business Model Canvas
β McKinsey's Strategic Three Horizons Model
β SWOT Analysis/Matrix
β Porter's Generic Strategies Matrix
β ADL (Arthur D Little) Strategic Condition Matrix Framework
β McKinsey's Growth Pyramid Model and Matrix
β M&A Acquisition Synergies Template
π MARKETING/CUSTOMER:
β Competitor Analysis - Net Promoter Score (NPS)
β Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" Golden Circle Template
π± RISK ANALYSIS:
β Strategy & Risk Management Framework - EIP (Easter Island Pentagon)
β Risk Analysis Matrix
Should you have any questions on using these top tier Buy-Side Commercial Due Diligence Frameworks, Templates and Models, you're welcome to reach out to me via Private Message (also if you have ideas for new slides to include!)
Good luck!
- Tim
Buy-Side Commercial Due Diligence (CDD) is an activity instigated by a potential buyer (Corporate or Private Equity PE) to analyse and reveal a target's company business model, commercial potential and synergies, during an M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions) operation. It is generally led and conducted by a Strategy Consulting Firm (e.g. BCG, McKinsey, Bain, Strategy& etc.). The output is generally a 50 to 200 slide long document, enabling the potential buyer to assess the standalone and/or combined evolution of the target company in the next 5 to 10 years.
The CDD is generally conducted prior to the actual deal but after the short-listing of potential acquisition targets (almost always already reduced to 1 preferred candidate).
It is generally combined with Legal Due Diligences (LDD) and Financial Due Diligence (FDD), carried out by different firms, or the same if a big 4 (e.g. PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG).
It gives insights on many sides of the target business such as: market dynamics, competition, revenue, market positioning, demand etc.
A commercial Due Dilligence is usually composed of three phases:
- Liaising Process
- Preparation of a Genuine Report
- Review of the Due Diligence Report
In the report the "classic" aspects covered are generally:
- Company's General Information
- Summary of Key Findings
- Management and Employees of the Company
- Legal Matters
- Products and Services
- Production, Purchasing and Suppliers
- Marketing
- Competition
- Market Environment
- Strategy
- Market Sizing (TAM, SAM and SOM)
- Competitive Landscape Analysis
- Business Plan Review
- Analysis of the Customers (Customer Feedback, Ideal Customer Profiles, Net Promoter Scores...)
- Sales and Marketing Metrics, Dynamics and Processes
- Assessing the quality of the business goals
- Investigating pricing and margins
- Market Trends, Future and Analysis
- Optimisation of Internal Operations
- Identification of Adjacent Opportunities
Why are Commercial Due Diligences (CDDs) generally conducted?
- To negotiate the deal price with as much information as possible
- To have a third party bring a form of assurance that the investment is worth it
- To analyse the potential external effects affecting the target business
- To grasp a better understanding of the competitive landscape
More on Commercial Due Diligence by DealRoom hereΒ or by BCG.
Having worked on several Commercial Due Diligences myself both on the sell-side (at adVentures) and buy-side (at Strategy& ), I have combined here a list of models, frameworks and templates for Strategy Consultants, which can be specifically pertinent in a CDD. More will be added progressively.
The current list of models, frameworks and templates focuses on:
- Target Screening (pre-CDD) - perfect to introduce the deck
- Market Analysis
- Market Positioning / Competitor Analysis
- Market Mapping / Industry Landscape
- Pricing Analysis
- Strategic Planning / Business Modelling
- Marketing /Customer Analysis
- Risk Analysis
π― TARGET SCREENING:
β McKinsey's Strategic Control Map
β M&A Buy-Side Target Screening Nine-Box Matrix
β M&A Sell-Side Target Screening Nine-Box Matrix
β Due Diligence Targets Shortlist
π MARKET ANALYSIS:
β Porter's Five Forces
β PEST & PESTLE Analysis
β Accenture Disruptability Index Matrix Template
π MARKET POSITIONING / COMPETITOR ANALYSIS:
β Market Positioning VS Competition
β BCG (Boston Consulting Group) Growth-Share Matrix
β Competition Feature Comparison
β Market Mapping/ Industry Landscape Template
π€ PRICING ANALYSIS:
β Pricing Positioning - Industry Competitor Analysis
β Kotler's Quality vs Price
β Bowman's Strategy Clock
π STRATEGIC PLANNING / BUSINESS MODELLING:
β McKinseyβs Portfolio of Initiatives
β Ansoff Matrix Framework - Product/Market Expansion Grid
β Business Model Canvas
β McKinsey's Strategic Three Horizons Model
β SWOT Analysis/Matrix
β Porter's Generic Strategies Matrix
β ADL (Arthur D Little) Strategic Condition Matrix Framework
β McKinsey's Growth Pyramid Model and Matrix
β M&A Acquisition Synergies Template
π MARKETING/CUSTOMER:
β Competitor Analysis - Net Promoter Score (NPS)
β Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" Golden Circle Template
π± RISK ANALYSIS:
β Strategy & Risk Management Framework - EIP (Easter Island Pentagon)
β Risk Analysis Matrix
Should you have any questions on using these top tier Buy-Side Commercial Due Diligence Frameworks, Templates and Models, you're welcome to reach out to me via Private Message (also if you have ideas for new slides to include!)
Good luck!
- Tim
This Best Practice includes
20+ Commercial Due Diligence Models, Frameworks and Templates with Associated Methodologies