How long things actually take.
WHAT PUBLISHED TIMELINES REPRESENT
The intended duration, in ideal conditions.
WHAT ACTUAL DURATION DEPENDS ON
Completeness of the application Volume at the agency Whether queries arise Whether physical steps are required
WHAT TO PLAN FOR
Substantially longer than published.
WHAT COMMONLY EXTENDS TIMELINES
Documentation queries Name rejections Payment not reflecting Inspections requiring scheduling Systems being unavailable
WHAT SHORTENS THEM
Complete and correct first submission.
WHY THAT MATTERS MOST
Each query adds a cycle.
WHAT TO DO
Check requirements carefully before submitting.
WHAT TO SEQUENCE CAREFULLY
Processes dependent on each other.
WHAT EXAMPLES LOOK LIKE
Tax registration requiring incorporation Bank account requiring both Licence requiring the bank account Contract requiring the licence
WHY THAT CHAIN MATTERS
The total is the sum, and each step can stall.
WHAT TO START EARLY
Anything on the critical path.
WHAT TO AVOID
Committing to a customer date based on published timelines.
WHAT TO COMMUNICATE
Realistic expectations, with contingency.
WHAT TO TRACK
How long each process actually took.
WHY
It makes the next estimate accurate.
