How the 80/20 Rule Improves EDiscovery Project Management

The 80/20 Rule, or Pareto Principle, is a key concept in project management, as reported by Mike Quartararo, president of ACEDS. It asserts that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. In the context of eDiscovery project management, this principle can dramatically improve project management by prioritizing high-impact tasks. 

Legal ops professionals should focus on early-stage foundational tasks like data identification, preservation, and collection. This can simplify subsequent stages, such as document review. By doing so, they can avoid costly errors and rework later in the process, creating more efficient workflows.

The 80/20 Rule also aids problem-solving by highlighting that most issues stem from a few sources. By identifying and addressing root causes, legal ops professionals can resolve recurring problems more effectively, improving overall project performance. For instance, documenting specific processing protocols can mitigate miscommunications or data processing issues.

Furthermore, the 80/20 Rule helps streamline processes by distinguishing between essential and non-essential tasks. By eliminating unnecessary complexity, teams can save time and resources, ensuring that every effort contributes directly to project goals.

To apply the 80/20 Rule in eDiscovery project management, legal ops professionals should analyze data to identify high-impact tasks, address root causes, focus on value-driven efforts, and regularly reassess priorities. Streamlining processes and avoiding waste can lead to more efficient project execution and improved outcomes. Embracing this rule can be a game changer in achieving success and driving meaningful results in eDiscovery projects.