In addition to ensuring they understand the drivers of transactions and their consistency with the company's strategy, PwC’s “The corporate director’s guide to overseeing deals” advises boards to approach potential transactions (mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, alliances, and joint ventures) proactively and holistically (i.e., as a portfolio that includes current business components/lines), rather than reactively and in a piecemeal fashion. Boards are advised to adopt—vis-à-vis management oversight—a disciplined approach for deal consideration and review, and to query and monitor post-transaction integration.
The guide identifies big picture considerations for boards to improve the likelihood that any particular opportunity ultimately pursued will be successful in the context of the company’s overall strategy.