HALO Score vs M&A Readiness
Company health diagnostic across four strategic pillars — compared to — Acquisition preparedness for buy or sell side. Here's how to choose and in what order to run them.
The Short Answer
You should probably run both
These are not competing diagnostics — they measure different dimensions of your company. The question is sequencing and priority, not either/or.
M&A Readiness is the right starting point when: Companies actively running a process or preparing to run one within 12 months.
Side-by-Side
What each diagnostic measures
The HALO Score measures your company across four deterministic pillars: High Assets (recurring revenue, IP, customer concentration), Low Obsolescence (competitive moat, technology currency), Growth Readiness (pipeline, team, systems), and Exit Readiness (financial structure, deal risk). Twelve questions. Three minutes. Free.
- Recurring revenue quality
- IP and intangible assets
- Customer concentration risk
- Competitive moat depth
- Technology obsolescence risk
- Pipeline and growth systems
- Exit readiness indicators
M&A Readiness evaluates both buy-side and sell-side preparedness. On the sell side: due diligence readiness, information room preparedness, management presentation quality, and integration risk signals. On the buy side: deal thesis clarity, integration capability, and cultural alignment.
- Due diligence package completeness
- Financial statement auditability
- Management team stability
- Integration planning depth
- Cultural fit frameworks
- Technology stack compatibility
- Regulatory and legal clean-up items
Comparison Table
At a glance
| Dimension | HALO Score | M&A Readiness |
|---|---|---|
| Focus area | Company health diagnostic across four strategic pillars | Acquisition preparedness for buy or sell side |
| Time to complete | 3 min | 6 min |
| Questions | 12 | 24 |
| Cost | Free | Paid (Navigator+) |
| Best for | Getting a complete picture of where your company stands before deciding which area to address first. | Companies actively running a process or preparing to run one within 12 months. |
| Primary output | Composite score + pillar breakdown | Composite score + pillar breakdown |
Recommended Order
How to sequence these diagnostics
Start with HALO Score to understand your company's full strategic health across all four pillars. This gives you the context to interpret M&A Readiness results accurately and prioritize action.
HALO Score
Run first to establish your baseline and frame your priorities.
M&A Readiness
Run second to add depth in the specific dimension you need to address.
Review & prioritize
Compare results side-by-side in your dashboard. Your lowest-scoring pillar across both diagnostics is your highest-leverage starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions
What does HALO Score measure?
The HALO Score measures your company across four deterministic pillars: High Assets (recurring revenue, IP, customer concentration), Low Obsolescence (competitive moat, technology currency), Growth Readiness (pipeline, team, systems), and Exit Readiness (financial structure, deal risk). Twelve questions. Three minutes. Free.
What does M&A Readiness measure?
M&A Readiness evaluates both buy-side and sell-side preparedness. On the sell side: due diligence readiness, information room preparedness, management presentation quality, and integration risk signals. On the buy side: deal thesis clarity, integration capability, and cultural alignment.
Should I run HALO Score or M&A Readiness first?
Start with HALO Score to understand your company's full strategic health across all four pillars. This gives you the context to interpret M&A Readiness results accurately and prioritize action.
Can I run both HALO Score and M&A Readiness?
Yes. Running both diagnostics gives you a more complete picture than either alone. HALO Score and M&A Readiness measure complementary dimensions of business performance. Together, they help you identify not just where you have gaps but which gaps are interrelated.
Who should use HALO Score vs M&A Readiness?
HALO Score: Getting a complete picture of where your company stands before deciding which area to address first. M&A Readiness: Companies actively running a process or preparing to run one within 12 months.
Run both diagnostics today
Start with HALO Score (free). Then layer in M&A Readiness for deeper context. Most users who run both report that the combined picture changes their priorities.
Start HALO Score (Free) Start M&A ReadinessMore Comparisons
Related comparisons
See how all KCENAV diagnostics compare to each other and to alternative approaches.
View all comparisons →