How to Optimize Productivity for Remote Legal Teams

The rise of remote and hybrid work since the pandemic represents a permanent change in how organizations operate and do business. One key challenge is figuring out how to keep productivity for remote legal teams humming at levels near or exceeding what was happening when those same employees were working in-office full time.

There are ways to optimize your legal department’s operations and make them “future- proof” in this hybrid world, as Epiq writes in a recent post on its website.

Employee engagement: One component of adapting to these changes is to focus on improving employee engagement. Epiq cites a study by IBM that highlights how employees are 12 times more likely to leave if they feel they are not achieving their career goals and how proper training can increase retention rates.

Standard operating procedures (SOPs): Developing strong SOPs is crucial for improving efficiency, consistency, and compliance. SOPs facilitate cross-training, reduce siloed operations, and help in measuring process efficacy through key performance indicators (KPIs). KPIs provide insights into workflow efficiency and resource utilization, aiding in the creation of benchmarks for all processes.

Risk management: Risk management is vital, especially in regulated industries such as banking and finance. Methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, which reduces waste and inefficiencies, and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), which identifies potential process failures, are essential for optimizing operations and mitigating risks.

Quality programs: Establishing a quality program like Total Quality Management, Lean Six Sigma, or ISO 9000, is critical for successful operational optimization. These programs, though traditionally associated with the manufacturing and software industries, can be tailored to various organizational needs.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI): Emerging trends in operational optimization include digitizing manual processes and integrating GenAI. The pandemic accelerated digitization, reducing costs and errors while increasing operational stability. GenAI, which is projected to significantly impact business processes and profitability, aids in automating operations, generating reports, and performing complex analytics.

While the future is unpredictable, a focus on robust SOPs, quality programs, emerging technologies, and third-party support can enhance operational success, adaptability, and productivity of remote legal teams.