Strategies for a Successful Spend and Matter Management System Implementation

Legal departments implementing a matter management and legal spend system can come up against obstacles to success. Among the challenges that will likely be encountered are lack of vision and planning, and poor execution, according to a blog post by Thomson Reuters.

Legal teams should be involved in the implementation from the start and should have adequate documentation and training to learn how to use the new system. 

Here are more key strategies that will result in success:

1. Put together a team: Identify a team, including key decision-makers who represent major practice areas such as finance and IT to configure the system effectively.
2. Set goals: Prioritize implementation goals and create a plan to achieve improvements over time.
3. Engage in continuous improvement: Embrace the concept of kaizen, ensuring continuous improvement by empowering individuals to make processes more efficient and responding to changing industry trends.
4. Document billing guidelines: Establish clear billing guidelines and automate them for efficient cost control.
5. Stay on top of new software releases: Keep abreast of system updates and improvements to align with industry best practices.
6. Develop and update policies and procedures: Establish internal policies and procedures to ensure consistent system use and data integrity, and define responsibilities.
7. Explore your provider’s services: Assess your provider’s professional service offerings to leverage their expertise for efficient system usage.
8. Audit the processes for the new system: Conduct regular audits of compliance with system policies and procedures, review billing guidelines annually, and adapt processes based on successes and failures.

By following these strategies, legal departments can navigate implementation challenges and maximize the benefits of a matter management and spend system, ensuring sustained success and performance.