Clarizen Acquisition: Key Details, Impact, and What Comes Next

Planview's acquisition of Clarizen marks a significant milestone in the project portfolio management industry. This strategic move aims to enhance Planview's capabilities in work management and enterprise agility, providing customers with a comprehensive platform to drive innovation and achieve strategic objectives. The combined entity is poised to lead the market with an expanded customer base and robust solutions.

What Is Clarizen?

Founded in 2006, Clarizen offers robust portfolio and work management solutions under the Planview AdaptiveWork brand. Its core products include capacity planning, adaptability, visibility, productivity, collaboration, and financial management tools. Clarizen stands out in the market with its high configurability, real-time data visibility, and seamless integration with business-critical systems like Jira and Salesforce. Additionally, it emphasizes security and compliance, ensuring data privacy and reliability for its users.

Who Acquired Clarizen?

Planview is a leader in the portfolio management industry, providing solutions that help businesses and technology leaders prioritize, manage, and execute projects and products effectively. Key offerings include Strategic Portfolio Management, Project Portfolio Management, and Professional Services Automation. Planview supports over 4,500 customers worldwide, including 59 of the Fortune 100, and is recognized by industry analysts for its innovative solutions. The company's products empower leaders across various roles, ensuring comprehensive support for diverse business needs.

When Was Clarizen Acquired?

Planview announced its acquisition of Clarizen on January 12, 2021, and completed the transaction on February 23, 2021. This acquisition occurred during a period marked by significant shifts towards digital-first business models, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. The timing reflects broader industry trends of increased demand for integrated project management and collaboration tools, as enterprises adapt to more flexible, distributed, and digital ways of working.

Why Was Clarizen Acquired?

• Market Expansion: The acquisition of Clarizen significantly expands Planview's market presence, creating a global leader with approximately 1,000 employees, more than 4,500 customers, and over 1.3 million users. This strategic move allows Planview to enhance its leadership in Portfolio Management and Work Management, providing a more comprehensive software platform that connects strategy to delivery across various workstreams and disciplines.
• Technology Integration: The integration of Clarizen's technology into Planview's suite of products is a key technological advancement. Clarizen connects work across the enterprise, turning ideas into strategies, plans, and actions, providing real-time visibility into all workstreams. This integration enhances Portfolio Management, Work Management, and Enterprise Agile Planning capabilities, ensuring efficient, urgent, and transparent delivery of outcomes.
• Competitive Advantage: The acquisition strengthens Planview's position against competitors by combining the expertise and resources of both companies. The expanded portfolio and the ability to offer a broader range of tools and resources provide a competitive edge, enabling customers to better plan and deliver on their initiatives. This strategic combination ensures that customers can achieve their most important outcomes with efficiency, urgency, and transparency, giving Planview a competitive edge in the market.

Acquisition Terms

• Acquisition Price: The acquisition price was not publicly disclosed.
• Payment Method: The payment method was not specified in the available information.
• Key Conditions or Agreements:
  • The transactions are backed by TPG Capital and TA Associates.
  • The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.
  • Upon completion, Clarizen and Changepoint teams will join Planview as distinct business units.
  • Matt Zilli and Matt Scheuing will lead these business units and report to Planview CEO, Greg Gilmore.
  • K1 will continue to hold a minority stake in the combined company.
  • The transaction was expected to close in the first quarter of 2021.

Impact on Clarizen

The acquisition of Clarizen by Planview has led to notable changes in operations and management. Clarizen now operates as a distinct business unit within Planview, with Matt Zilli continuing to lead the team and reporting directly to Planview CEO, Greg Gilmore. This structural change aims to leverage the strengths of both companies, enhancing their combined capabilities in portfolio and work management. The integration is designed to provide a seamless transition, ensuring that Clarizen's operational integrity and strategic direction remain aligned with Planview's broader objectives.

In terms of product offerings and services, the acquisition has resulted in the rebranding of Clarizen One to Planview Clarizen, integrating it into Planview's suite of solutions. This move enhances the collaborative work management capabilities available to customers, offering a more comprehensive platform for real-time visibility and strategic planning. Employee reactions have been generally positive, with many expressing optimism about the expanded resources and opportunities for innovation. Customers, including notable organizations like Siemens and Box, have welcomed the acquisition, anticipating improved tools and support to meet their business goals.

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