Tips To Structure the Planning For a New Case Management System November 21, 2009
Posted by janey in : personal success , trackbackLegal Case management software benefits include:
* Time saved in document production, storage and retrieval and disseminating documents to relevant parties.
* Saving on the costs connected with manual systems.
* Standardizing all your processes easily.
* Concentrating on the value added of your professionals.
Does legal software deliver the functionality it claims to do?
Yes, when implemented after carefully planning. Success criteria include:
Realistically scoping out the project and setting objectives
When you invest in case management software, you will need to highlight its value to your organization, no matter which type of law firm or legal department you work in. Select a supplier who will help you draft a clear vision of what is achievable within the project, together with a return on investment strategy and project schedule.
Have you communicated to all the people within the organization why the new system is being implemented? For example:
* Who will benefit from the savings in time?
* 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.
* Will your supplier support you in demonstrating the software’s benefits key decision makers?
Who owns the project?
The internal appointment of an empowered member of staff to liaise between the developer of the Case Management System company and your organization will lead to a successful project implementation. They must a skilled communicator with all levels of the organization If you do not have such a person available internally, a consultant would be an alternative.
Staff Training
The case managment software supplier and/or consultant and your organization will need to work closely together. Make sure that your supplier or consultant has a track record in training and implementation with other law firms or departments of your size.
* Is the training ongoing and well planned?
* How easy will it be for staff to adopt the new software??
* 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? So much case management software requires professionals to change their working practices to fit the system instead of the other way round! This results in a less effectively adopted system and far less “buy-in” from its users. Flexible software is configurable to your organization’s established working practises. Providing fee earners with case management solutions that match their working practices means they will enjoy using it, buy into the new system and it will make their lives easier. They will be able to complete work more efficiently and handle larger case loads, earning their organization more revenue. Vendors are are invariably willing to provide case studies.
Future Needs
Investing in a flexible case management system will usually enable you to access software updates from your provider. Similarly extra capability (eg Matter Management ) may be added as your organization develops.
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