Implementation guide
How to implement AI underwriting: a phased onboarding and UAT plan
Last updated · Kaaj editorial team
Implement AI underwriting in phases. Start with a pilot on a few of your own recent deals through a portal, then give the vendor a CRM sandbox and an integration user, map fields and rules, and run user acceptance testing on sample production deals in the sandbox. Pass a go/no-go checklist, then forward a share of deal emails before cutting over the whole inbox, and ramp to full volume while watching exceptions daily. Credit bureau onboarding can run in parallel. With Kaaj, most lenders start portal-only or intake-only and go live in two to three weeks, depending on sandbox access and security review.
The 10-step implementation checklist
Each step has an owner on both sides. Most delays come from sandbox access and security review, not configuration.
Pilot on your own deals first
Upload five to ten recent deals, including messy ones, through a portal and compare the output with your team's work before any integration.
Pick the first phase
Start narrow: portal-only upload, email intake only, or one product. Add credit-policy automation and CRM write-back in a second phase.
Provision a sandbox and integration user
Create a CRM sandbox (a full copy is best for testing duplicates) and an integration user with access to the objects the vendor will read and write.
Share templates and policy
Send credit memo templates, spreading models, document checklists, and credit rules so outputs match how your team works.
Map fields and review sample output
Agree which fields and files land where, then review a few processed deals in the sandbox with credit and operations.
Run UAT on production-like deals
Process real submissions in the sandbox, including duplicates, reply-all threads, added documents, and incomplete packages. Fix gaps in sandbox data such as missing addresses or owner tags.
Confirm roles and seats
Decide who needs admin access, which teams see which deals, and how users raise support tickets.
Pass a go/no-go checklist
Mapping verified, duplicates handled, rules approved by credit, support path agreed, and a rollback plan ready.
Go live gradually
Forward a share of deal emails or one intake channel first, watch exceptions daily, then ramp to full volume.
Run credit onboarding in parallel
Bureau or reseller approval takes one to two weeks; keep the old credit-pull path until the new one is live so there is no gap.
A four-week implementation plan
A typical sequence from pilot to full volume. Sandbox access and security review usually decide the real calendar.
Week 1
Pilot and access
- Run 5–10 recent deals through the portal
- Share templates and credit policy
- Grant sandbox and integration user
- Start bureau onboarding
Week 2
Map and configure
- Map fields to CRM or LOS objects
- Set rules and checklists
- Configure intake channels
- Review outputs with credit
Week 3
Go/no-goUAT in sandbox
- Process sample production deals
- Test duplicates and reruns
- Confirm permissions and seats
- Fix mapping gaps
Week 4
Phased go-live
- Forward a share of deal emails
- Watch exceptions daily
- Ramp to full volume
- Retire the old path
Go/no-go checklist before forwarding the production inbox
| Check | Pass when |
|---|---|
| Field mapping | Credit and operations have signed off on sample deals in the sandbox |
| Duplicates | Reply-alls, resubmissions, and multi-channel deals update one record |
| Added documents | New files attach to the existing deal and update the analysis |
| Rules and checklists | Credit has approved thresholds and required documents |
| Access | Integration user, admin seats, and team permissions are set |
| Support | Ticket path and escalation contacts are agreed |
| Rollback | The old intake path can be restored the same day |
Common first phases
| Start with | Good when | Add next |
|---|---|---|
| Portal-only upload | CRM mapping is not ready yet | CRM write-back |
| Email intake only | Most deals arrive by email | Credit policy rules and memo |
| One product or channel | Different teams run different products | Other products |
| Share of email volume | You want to watch exceptions before full cutover | Full inbox |
Frequently asked questions
How long does AI underwriting implementation take?
With Kaaj, most lenders go live in two to three weeks after a pilot. Sandbox access, security review, and bureau onboarding set the real calendar.
Can we start with portal-only upload before CRM mapping is live?
Yes. Many teams start with portal uploads or email intake only, then add CRM write-back and credit-policy automation in a second phase.
Do we need a Salesforce sandbox and an integration user?
For a Salesforce integration, yes. A full-copy sandbox is best for testing duplicates and real data; a partial sandbox works if it includes representative accounts and deals.
How do we run UAT before a full rollout?
Process five to ten production-like deals in the sandbox, review field mapping and outputs with credit, and test duplicates, added documents, and incomplete packages before switching on production.
Can we forward only some deal emails at first?
Yes. Forward a share of deal emails or one intake channel, watch exceptions daily, and ramp to full volume once results are stable.
Can we keep our current vendor running during the transition?
Yes. Run the new layer in parallel on a share of deals or in the sandbox until mapping and results are proven, then cut over.
How do we avoid a gap in credit pulls when switching providers?
Keep the existing credit-pull path live until the new bureau or reseller access is approved and tested, then switch.
Start with a pilot on your own deals
Upload a few recent deals, compare Kaaj's output with your team's work, then go live in phases on the systems you already run.