posted by lawyersofmelbourne.com.au admin on Nov 3
Legal Case management software benefits include:
- Time saved in document production, storage and retrieval and disseminating documents to relevant parties.
- Saving on the costs associated with all of the above.
- Creating standardized procedures across a departments.
- Enabling professionals to focus on value added services and driving revenue activites.
Will the legal software I have chosen really provide the benefits promised?
Yes, when implemented after carefully planning. Success criteria include:
Realistically scoping out the project and setting appropriate goals
When you invest in case management software, you will need to show its value to your organization, no matter which kind of Law firm or legal department you work in. Find a supplier who will help you draft a clear vision of what is achievable within the project, together with a ROI document and implementation schedule.
Creating understanding of need within the organization
It is important that you talk with all levels of your organization about their needs and expectations For example:
- Whose time will it save?
- Whose workload will increase at first?
- Have you considered whether this will put them under increased pressure?
- Successful communication and hand holding before and during implementation will increase the likelihood of its success.
- Can the supplying firm show its value to partners and decision makers through on-going partnerships with existing clients?
Who carries the can?
Does your organization have a named person who is responsible for the implementation and ongoing success of the case management solution, or is it left totally to the case management supplier? will need to be capable and enabled to talk and listen with all {levels of the organization|members of the team]. If you decide to appoint someone internally, do they have the time to devote to the project, especially in the initial stages, and do they have the respect of the organization? If you do not have such a person available internally, a consultant would be an alternative. Some suppliers are capable of designing and implementing a project within organizations with a clear initial brief. Check that they have sufficient track record within your type of organization and can provide good references.
Staff development
Who will provide the training to your staff? Will they work closely with the case management software supplier or can your supplier also offer training?
- Is the training ongoing and well planned?
- How easy will it be for staff to adopt the new software? Is a gradual roll out process possible?
- Will the software supplier and trainer work well together at both the planning and implementation phases?
- Will your staff be trained just on the case management software as well as how it integrates with other systems?
Right for you and in the future
How adaptable is your new software and is it the best fit for your organization? Software systems often require technicians to change the way they work. This results in a less effectively adopted system and far less “buy-in” from its users. Flexibility is not necessarily a cheap option but in the long run it will pay for itself. It will result in faster adoption by users and will ease their workload. They will be able to complete work more efficiently and handle larger case loads, earning their organization more revenue. Vendors are normally able to give case studies if asked}.
Future Needs
Are there software updates available from your vendor? With [further technological advances, software needs to be adaptable. What future costs are there? Can you purchase further functionality (such as matter management) to your system at a later date to meet the changing needs of your legal work?
Value for your organization
Most case management software vendors offer consultancy services, initial and ongoing training, product development in close consultation with clients, individual modules and/or integrated systems and regular software updates according to your needs. Find one of these and you are on to a winner Select and partner or department head as the executive sponsor. These measures will reduce the likelihood of your solution being only partially adopted or no longer providing the right fit.