Conciseness

The body is dense and assumes competence ("DCF: For profitable companies only (most startups: use multiples)") with zero concept explanations, but the "## Keywords" line duplicates trigger terms already in the frontmatter description and could be trimmed. This matches 'efficient; minor instances that could be trimmed' rather than the every-token-earns-its-place top anchor.

Actionability

As an instruction-only skill, guidance is concretely actionable: named verification scripts with paths ("run the LOI/term sheet through ../general-counsel-advisor/scripts/term_sheet_analyzer.py"), numeric red-flag thresholds (">30% revenue from 1 customer"), sequenced prep steps, and specific valuation sources to "cross-check at least two before anchoring a price". This matches 'fully executable... specific examples cover the common cases'.

Workflow Clarity

Both sides have explicit sequences ("strategic rationale → target screening → due diligence → valuation → negotiation → integration") and the Verification Loop is a genuine feedback loop with validation checkpoints ("Any 🔴 finding goes to outside counsel before signing", "Loop the findings back into the negotiation-points table before the next counter"), matching the top anchor.

Progressive Disclosure

SKILL.md is a tight overview that appropriately splits bulk detail into one-level-deep references — both `references/integration-playbook.md` (inline pointer in the Integration Frameworks section plus Resources) and `references/due-diligence-checklist.md` exist and deliver the promised detail, while the inline DD table stays a 6-row summary. This matches 'clear overview with well-signaled one-level-deep references'.

Specificity

"Due diligence, valuation, integration, and deal structure" names four concrete capability areas plus both sides of the deal ("acquiring companies or being acquired"), matching the 'several specific actions; minor gaps' anchor. Not 5 because negotiation/LOI work appears only in the trigger clause, not the capability list; not 3 because it well exceeds 1-2 actions.

Completeness

The what is explicit ("M&A strategy for acquiring companies or being acquired. Due diligence, valuation, integration, and deal structure.") and the when is explicit with concrete trigger phrases ("Use when evaluating acquisitions, preparing for acquisition, M&A due diligence, integration planning, or deal negotiation."), matching the top anchor exactly.

Trigger Term Quality

"evaluating acquisitions, preparing for acquisition, M&A due diligence, integration planning, or deal negotiation" are natural phrases users would say, matching 'good keyword coverage; a few natural terms missing'. Not 5 because common synonyms like "mergers", "selling the company", "LOI", or "term sheet" are absent.

Distinctiveness Conflict Risk

"M&A strategy", "acquiring companies or being acquired", and "deal negotiation" carve out a clear niche with minimal conflict risk. Generic terms like "due diligence" and "valuation" are anchored by the M&A context, so overlap with adjacent skills is minor — fitting the 'clear niche with distinct triggers' anchor.