Most providers will tell you implementation takes 1–4 weeks. That's true if nothing goes wrong. Five things routinely go wrong; here's how to pre-empt each.
The five pitfalls
- Scope drift — agreeing 'simple integration' that turns into a mapping exercise. Fix: write down the data flow before signing.
- Wrong AMLCO — naming someone too junior to escalate. Fix: name a partner; they can delegate operational tasks but not authority.
- Training the wrong people — covering admin staff and skipping fee-earners. Fix: scope by role, not headcount.
- Skipped risk assessment — using the vendor template without tailoring. Fix: spend half a day on it; the audit cost of skipping is asymmetric.
- No first SMR drill — discovering the workflow when the real one happens. Fix: run a tabletop SMR in week 4.