This guide is written primarily for the first time business buyer, but can also be used as a checklist for the experienced M&A professional. This field manual and guide will take the business leader and his team of experts through the Mergers & Acquisitions operations process from Due Diligence to completed integration or transition. Many books describe how to value acquisitions, and how to negotiate a fair price. This book describes the entire systematic process to fully execute the transaction - from Due Diligence review through completed integration. Throughout the text, action steps are highlighted using underlined italic text to simplify the guide's use. The numbering convention used throughout the guide - for example "2.3.2 - Executive Advocates" - could be used as a basis for work paper or filing purposes. This manual outlines the timing, a description of the personnel requirements, and actual activities necessary to complete a successful merger. Example analyses and forms will serve as a guideline to the M&A teams. Every M&A transaction is different. The templates included are thought provoking guides to consider rather than forms that must be 100% completed. While a $100 million acquisition may be more complex, the checklist of major review issues will be the same. This Field Manual will discuss the 'experience side' of doing the M&A deal, and will not describe business strategy, target company selection or valuation techniques. Steps required to successfully complete any merger & acquisition (M&A) transaction are listed chronologically. The guide will define practical, proven methods: oTo thoroughly examine the acquisition candidates during Due Diligence review, oTo provide the basis for financial experts to value a target, and oTo identify the critical steps necessary to realize the value through proper integration management. Using this guideline will help companies avoid expensive mistakes and help insure a successful M&A transaction.