What is key to establish an effective IMO office?

The IMO is critical for post-merger success, so needs to be run by a strong leader with a robust governance structure along with a clear purpose/mandate. Keys towards the effectiveness of the IMO include a well-planned workstream structure designed to address pain points, robust tools and reporting frameworks to keep stakeholders informed, proper risk management, and proper knowledge management. Flagging risks early and often, and having a robust communications strategy, will help keep stakeholders informed and limit churn from surprises.