{The benefits of a legal case management software system are far reaching. Broadly, they include:~Legal Case management software benefits include:~The reasons why legal case managment software is so widely deployed include:}
- {Saving time currently spent producing documents, searching for documents and arranging for sharing of documents between relevant parties~Time saved in document production, storage and retrieval and disseminating documents to relevant parties}.
- Saving on the costs {associated with all of the above~connected with manual systems}.
- {Standardizing all your processes easily~Creating standardized procedures across a organization}.
- {Concentrating on the value added services of your fee earners and creating incremental income for your organization~Enabling professionals to focus on value added services and increasing income generation}.
{Will the legal software I have chosen really realize the benefits promised?~Does legal solution deliver the advantages it claims to do?}
{The answer should be a unequivacle “Yes”, but only if teamed with a successful implementation. This will depend on a number of factors:~Yes, when implemented after carefully planning. Success criteria include:}
{Realistically scoping out the project and setting clear objectives~Setting achieveable}
{Whether you work in the public sector or private legal department you will need to demonstrate value when in investing in case management software~When you invest in case management software, you will need to demonstrate its value to your organization, no matter which kind of law firm or legal department you work in}. {Look for a specialist legal software company that is able help you to develop the project scope and return on investment document to lead to a smooth implementation together with a clear picture of what you can expect to achieve~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}.
{Gaining buy-in from the organization~Creating understanding of need within the organization~Capturing your Organizations Requirements}
{It is important that you talk with all levels of your organization about their needs and expectations~Have you communicated to all the people within the organization why the new system is being implemented?}{ For instance:~ For example:}
- {Whose time will it save~Who will benefit from the savings in time}?
- {Will it make more work for some people initially~Whose workload will increase at first}?
- {Have you considered whether this will put them under increased pressure~Will measures be put in place to help those who find themselves under increased pressure}?
- {Successful communication and hand holding before and during implementation will increase the likelihood of its success~Clear, effective communication will increase the chances of successful implementation of the project }.
- {Can the supplying company demonstrate its value to senior officers and decision makers through on-going partnerships with existing clients~Will your supplier help you demonstrate the software’s value to senior partners}?
{Ownership of the project~Who owns the project?~Who carries the can?~Where does final ownership lie?}
{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 system provider?~Naming a person within your organisation as responsible for the project will enable clear communication with the case management system provider and will aid a successful implementation~The internal appointment of an empowered member of staff to liase between the case management software company and your organization will invariably result to a more successful project completion. They} {must|will need to] be an good communicator~will need to be capable and enabled to communicate 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?~Appointing a responsible person within the organization pre-supposes that they have the time to give to the project and the respect of decision makers and key staff in the organization.} {Would a consultant be preferable?~If you do not have such a person available internally, a consultant would be an alternative.} {If left to the supplier, do they have sufficient expertise in your type of organisation to be left to it and what information from you will they require?~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.}
{Training~Staff development~Employee Adoption~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 similarly sized organizations.~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~Will any training be well prepared and is it offered on a continuing basis}?
- {Can the system be implemented gradually, to make it easy for procedures to adapt to it or can a beta test drive the new system before roll out to the rest of the organization~How easy will it be for staff to adopt the new software? Is a phased implementation process possible}?
- {Can the supplier be involved at both stages~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~Does training schedule extend to other systems which interface with the new case management software}?
{Flexibility and the right system for you~Making sure your new case management software is right for you now~Right for you and in the future}
{Have you ordered the right system for your organization and is it flexible~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!~Software systems often require technicians to change the way they work.} {Can it be adapted for your organization so that the software matches your working practices?~This results in a less effectively adopted system and far less “buy-in” from its users.} {Flexibility is not necessarily a low cost option but in the long run it will pay for itself~Flexible software is configurable to your organization’s current working practises}. {Providing fee earners with case management solutions that meets their working practices means they will enjoy using it, buy into the new system and it will make their lives easier~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~This “buy-in” on the part of your staff will lead to increased efficiency and the possiblility of handling more cases than in the past, enabling your organisation to increase profits}. {Ask for references and case studies from your supplier~Software companies are usually willing to provide case studies rising 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?~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 grows. Check that all the costs are clear.}
{Value for your organization~Does the system provide 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~Look for case management software providers that include consultancy, complete training, regular updates, the possibility of increased functionality and software development and who have a track record in your area.} {Appoint an executive as implementation champion.~Select and partner or department head as the having overall responsibility. } {These measures will lessen the likelihood of your system being poorly accepted or become out of date~Take on board the above points and your implementation should be smooth and the [benefits gained signficant~advantages quick to be realised}.