In addition to the qualitative value that others have referenced, I think interviews can improve the DD process in two other ways: 1. allowing for more dialogue beneficial to integration planning and 2. building relationships to get buy-in from the target company employees. Since integration planning should start during DD, asking open-ended questions and giving space for descriptions of the target company’s current processes will inform how the acquiring company structures their integration planning. Secondly, if key contributors at the target company are involved in the conversations before the deal closes, they will feel included in the DD and planning processes, making them more likely to advocate for the changes resulting from the integration.
