Using Discovery and Information Management Technology Efficiently

A common misperception is that if we could figure out the right e-discovery technology, a lot of money could be saved. The reality, the author says, is that we should be focusing the discussion on workflow instead of technology costs. If data is managed well upstream, it makes a huge impact on any future discovery costs downstream.

This does involve technology, but it begins with a strong information management (IM) system, coupled with sound data filtering and review of workflows.

IM policy sets up rules governing how documents are classified, managed and either archived or destroyed when no longer needed. Every business should establish an IM policy, no matter the industry, company size or type of data.

Priorities and future needs should be assessed to determine what platform best suits a company’s requirements.

Among the many questions that should be asked are: How often do you need to collect, search and review data? Do you have an in-house team that is experienced in discovery processes? Is your company sued often enough to warrant a complete enterprise system, or would it make more sense to employ a smaller, scalable system? Do you need to be able to reuse work product?

There is an expense for technology, but when the right platforms are working together, significant savings on discovery costs are realized. Additional benefits include advanced security, superior file management, accelerated data processing, enhanced quality control, detailed reporting and improved defensibility.