Collect Better Data, Not More Data

Corporate legal departments need to collect and analyze data, but overambitious data collection can derail projects. The “more is better” approach presents a number of obstacles to getting traction with implementation of an enterprise legal management (ELM) system.

Capturing data is time intensive. Just the sight of all the data fields in the user interface will discourage attorneys and other members of the legal department from feeling good about using the system and tempt them not to enter any data at all.

Added complexity is likely to make it more difficult to manage the system and analyze the data collected. The critical objective for improving legal department operations is to collect the right data to drive better legal outcomes.

Focus on information that has significant business value based on the complexity and importance of the matter, and then enforce the data collection policy that garners that information. Determine how the data could drive decision-making.

The level of detail needed will vary. Who will be receiving the information? How will it be used? Data analytics professionals from inside or outside the organization can be helpful in determining collection requirements unique to your department.

Becoming a data driven legal department does not happen overnight. Legal departments mature over time with regard to their collection and analysis of information. It should be a process with discrete stages and a clear roadmap. Begin with a baseline set of data, then make adjustments over time.