Some theories and maxims stand the test of time, like the aphorism by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus of Ephesus (500 BC) that emphasizes the idea that “change is the only constant.”
The statements convey a sense of urgency and challenge, a sentiment also reflected in the words of Peter Drucker, a key figure in modern management, who emphasizes the importance of having metrics for effective management and the consequences of lacking proper management.
Everything related to the law was believed to be subjective, relative, and uncertain for a long time. Legal provisions were seen as obligations of effort rather than results, leading to a perception that the law was disconnected from accountability.
The era of responding with a casual “see well…” to every inquiry and believing that service quality should not be judged by results or objective measures is over. It is essential for legal professionals to acknowledge that we are constantly being evaluated. Compared to other fields like accounting, finance, sales, marketing, and operations, the legal sector lags far behind in embracing a data-driven culture. It is time for us to catch up and start taking proactive steps to improve, beginning with addressing the fundamental aspects of problem-solving.
Visions and Indicators of Performance
Base Report 2.
B.I system
Start by determining your end goal before working on your database. You do not require an extensive report with numerous fields to gain valuable insights. With just 10 well-populated fields containing basic yet essential indicators, you can generate excellent reports. Therefore, it is advisable to work in reverse by first outlining your objectives to understand the necessary data needed, preventing unnecessary information overload.
Before detailing the indicators, it is necessary to establish the broader perspectives we aim to have as a foundation. Legal operations are often categorized into different areas such as civil litigation, labor disputes, contracts, and corporate matters, each of which can be examined from various viewpoints like overall overview, financial perspective, comparative analysis, and efficiency metrics. By segmenting these areas and applying desired perspectives, known as dashboards, comprised of indicators organized in a coherent narrative structure (data storytelling), one can obtain the insights essential for achieving excellence in legal performance.
We have developed a Legal Data Management Matrix to help implement a comprehensive legal metric. The matrix divides a legal operation into eight areas, each with a dashboard containing subdivisions that can be explored for different perspectives. For instance, within general litigation, one can view financial, efficiency, client, or specific law perspectives.
The collection mentioned enables the generation of 177 distinct indicators, all of which were made using just 20 procedural fields from a foundational report (refer to the table below).
Some fields are not effectively handled by existing data crawler tools, but they involve corrective fillings that can be readily added to the process management system (Legal ERR) used in their legal practice.
Having a well-nourished system is essential because structured data is crucial for conducting accurate and optimized analyses. Without it, we may end up forming unsubstantiated opinions with minimal value.
Consider adding a Business Intelligence (BI) system to your luggage, as it is a valuable tool for converting data into useful information. Utilizing available technologies can enhance your efficiency and decision-making process.
In academic writing, a computer with a text processor is not mandatory for drafting documents, but it is highly beneficial due to its efficiency. Just as various tools like the internet for research, PowerPoint for presentations, and Excel for spreadsheets enhance productivity, finding the right tool can significantly boost your learning and outcomes.
Thomson Reuters, a top information and legal systems company globally, partnered with the innovative startup Juristec+ to establish Legal One Analytics, Brazil’s most comprehensive Legal Intelligence system. Join us in embracing this transformative journey to equip your organization for a data-centric era in Law. The analytical future is here – are you prepared?