In a recent article, we shared four steps for replicating a winning formula from a single investment across other portfolio companies for economies of scale and operational efficiencies. 

As we emphasized, it’s important to consider technology and operations as multipliers that complement one another as the PE value-creation playbook takes shape. By establishing central operating teams, analyzing successful processes, and codifying best practices into repeatable playbooks, PE firms can achieve scalable operational efficiencies and sustained value creation across their investments. 

Building Strong Foundations for Value Creation

Already, many firms are moving toward hands-on operational improvements with dedicated value-creation teams that focus on systematizing the approaches that create and scale value across portfolio companies. Moving beyond ad hoc interventions and building structured frameworks of repeatable processes can deliver more consistent, repeatable, and measurable results. 

A strong operational foundation powered by modern technology amplifies value by increasing efficiencies and reducing costs across all portfolio companies. For example, some leading companies are boosting existing Lean Six Sigma principles with advanced analytics and AI in their efforts to accelerate and scale operational excellence. 

The must-haves are:

• Standardized data platforms: centralized data platforms implemented to improve reporting accuracy and streamline decision-making across portfolio companies
• Automated routine tasks: automation tools to handle repetitive administrative tasks and to free up resources for more strategic initiatives
• Predictive analytics: a combination of high-quality data and AI to optimize decision-making across functions like procurement, inventory management, and forecasting

Overcoming Barriers to Scale

For technology and operations teams, which are assuming more strategic roles across the investment cycle, the ability to replicate sustained value creation and operational excellence across multiple investments is going to be critical to success. To ensure the playbook of best practices is deployed consistently across portfolio companies, these dedicated teams must address the cultural differences, system fragmentation, and varying levels of readiness in each portfolio company. This is why the experience of the teams and their leaders will be critical to addressing the unique complexities in each acquisition. They will have to be adept at conducting cultural-gap analyses and evaluating technology stacks, data warehouses, and analytics—all of which will inform integration projects and determine the best approach for building internal capabilities in preparation for future exit.

While standardized, adaptable frameworks can help drive value creation and operational improvements across portfolio companies, they will not be a silver bullet or an end-all. They will be a crucial starting point for transferring successful operational changes and technologies from one portfolio company to another. 

As firms seek to replicate early successes across their portfolios, execution becomes the key differentiator. According to REEA partner Liberty Advisor Group, which specializes in technology, data, and operational transformation for private equity portfolios, successful scaling depends on intentionally designing the digital and operational foundations that enable repeatable outcomes.

“Scalable value creation doesn’t happen by chance; it happens through intentional design and data-driven execution,” said Mark Boushka, Partner at Liberty Advisor Group. “Our role is to help PE firms embed and scale success by connecting technology, data, and operations into an AI-ready foundation that turns one company’s breakthrough into a repeatable advantage across the portfolio.”

Successfully implementing and customizing them requires a talented, multi-layered team of internal firm experts and portfolio company leaders, including operational experts, data analysts, and change management specialists. All will be crucial to understanding and accommodating each portfolio company’s unique blend of business, operational, technological, and human culture.

From Theory to Practice

This approach is not just theoretical. A recent collaboration with a private equity partner turned early automation success into a repeatable playbook that now scales across multiple portfolio companies. Early automation success created a ripple effect, motivating other portfolio leaders to pursue similar solutions, and the effort expanded from one company to three in under twelve months. 

Realizing portfolio-wide value creation takes both a disciplined framework and a partner capable of translating strategy into execution. Liberty Advisor Group collaborates with private equity leaders to institutionalize repeatable value-creation systems, combining operational excellence, data strategy, and AI enablement to scale performance across every investment.

For more information or to schedule some time with an advisor on this topic, please contact REEA Global at info@reeaglobal.com. To see how this framework delivered portfolio-wide efficiencies, read our case study, Land & Expand: Repeatable AI Value Creation Across the Portfolio.