Change Management and Communication Are Part of A Legal Department’s Value Story

While controlling costs remains a major focus for corporate legal departments, change management and communication also play a critical role. As reported in a Priori Legal article, a recent Priori Legal and CLOC white paper titled “Turning Legal Into a Value Center” emphasizes that change management and communication are part of the legal ops value story and key to cost-saving strategies.  

Presenting your value story to get buy-in for a new project includes change management but starts with communication. Clear communication is essential for aligning goals and expectations, whether launching a new initiative, implementing new legal technology, or discussing budgets with external counsel. 

The article offers the following suggestions for starting the necessary conversations to get stakeholder buy-in. 

Top-down support is crucial, as having buy-in from senior leadership increases the likelihood of successful project execution. Building relationships over time also fosters trust, making stakeholders more receptive to proposed changes.

Understanding stakeholders’ needs and priorities is another critical aspect. By engaging with business partners and gathering their input, legal departments can better tailor solutions that address specific pain points. This personal approach, relevant metrics, and data strengthen the business case for any proposed change. 

Finally, presenting a well-thought-out business case is essential to gaining approval. Legal ops should clearly outline the current situation, project the desired outcomes, and offer a roadmap for achieving those goals. 

Change management and communication play crucial roles in any project. When stakeholders are involved in the decision-making process and feel a sense of ownership over the initiative’s success, they are more likely to succeed.