Common pitfalls when implementing an IAM solution

A successful Identity and Access Management (IAM) implementation can improve security, streamline operations, and support business growth. Avoiding common pitfalls early in the project can save both time and cost.

Implementing an Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution affects both technology and business processes. While the benefits are significant, common pitfalls can lead to unnecessary costs, delays, and resistance if they are not addressed early.
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Start off on the right foot

Many companies start by purchasing an IAM system before they have mapped out their needs and the available solutions. They may focus on quick wins, only to realize later that the solution is not the right fit for the organization's long-term needs.

It is important to choose a solution that fits your organization's needs, rather than trying to adapt your needs to the technology.

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Avoid tunnel vision

An IAM solution should simplify operations across the organization, but it's easy to develop tunnel vision by focusing only on the needs of a single department. For instance, optimizing one part of the process may result in additional manual work elsewhere in the organization.

It's crucial to see the whole picture and optimize across the organization, so that efficiency improvements in some parts of the company do not come at the expense of others.

Size ≠ Complexity

Be realistic when assessing the scope of the project. A smaller organization does not necessarily mean less complexity. Municipalities are a good example. Whether large or small, they typically provide the same broad range of services and processes, including healthcare, social services, schools, daycare, technical services, and administration.

Complexity often depends more on business processes than organizational size. Make sure you understand the diversity and complexity of your processes before creating the project plan.

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Be open to new paths

The way tasks, processes, and workflows are organized has often evolved gradually over time as new applications, roles, and business needs have been introduced. While this may work in daily operations, it is not always the best foundation for an IAM implementation.

An IAM project is an opportunity to simplify and improve existing processes rather than simply replicating them in a new system.

Don't restrict vendors

Once you have defined your requirements, it's easy to form a very clear picture of the solution you want. The risk is that you overlook capabilities and approaches that vendors can offer.

To avoid locking a vendor into a specific – and possibly suboptimal – way of addressing a need, try not to be too detailed in the requirements specification. Instead, keep the needs descriptions at a high level to get the best solutions.

Every organization has unique IAM requirements

With experience from many IAM implementations, we help organizations plan and deliver successful IAM projects.

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