1. Different people are maintaining different versions of the same information.

2. New staff learn processes from colleagues rather than documented procedures.

3. Reporting takes hours or days to prepare.

4. Key knowledge sits with one or two people.

5. Problems keep reappearing despite everyone’s best efforts.

These are not signs of a bad business. They are signs of growth.

Recognising them early allows leaders to strengthen systems before they become significant operational risks.