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Harnessing the power of data and metrics through tech solutions is a great way for in-house teams can spotlight their value to their business, declares Charmaine, who spearheads the legal operations function for her organization. “Data and metrics matter, because in today’s fast-paced business environment, gut feelings no longer cut it. Legal departments need hard evidence to back up their decisions. We need data, and not just random data. We need solid data because that’s what drives smart decisions.”
“Data and metrics can be our magic tools, showcasing how efficient we are as a legal in-house team and also demonstrating the true value we bring to the business.”
Charmaine echoes a trend she became aware of through material published by Deloitte – that data is key to unlocking unprecedented insights, driving smarter and more strategic legal operations. Data is like a compass, a means of steering you in the right direction. Based on facts, data helps to identify and overcome inefficiencies while also keeping everything clear and transparent.
“By leveraging our data, we speak the language of the business,” she says. “We gain the opportunity to provide strategic insights, demonstrate our value, and become more aligned with the business’ broader objectives to help drive it forward.”
While data is key to connecting legal teams with their wider business, Charmaine says in-house teams are often unaware of the treasure trove of data they have at their disposal, from matter requests, contract data, key dates and turnaround times to case management, financial, and compliance. “If you harness this data well, you will benefit from improved decision making, operational efficiency, enhanced transparency, cost savings and strategic alignment.”
If data is the compass, metrics provide the direction. According to Charmaine, metrics are the backbone of transparency and improvement in legal operations because they transform legal from reactive support functions into proactive enablers. By aligning metrics with the company’s strategic goals, legal teams can clearly demonstrate their contributions and show how they contribute to the overall success of the business.
“Metrics allow you to run your legal department like a business. Tracking metrics allows you to apply the same rigor in strategic thinking as any other of your business’s departments – they allow you to think differently. Metrics are about identifying your inefficiencies, finding your bottlenecks, and thinking about how you bring value to the organization in a way the business appreciates and understands. Metrics are important because they also provide data-driven insights – they can replace that ‘gut feeling’ emotion. You can be confident that all of the insights you have are actionable, measurable, and clear.
“Metrics also promote transparency and accountability and enable you to have visibility over what’s going on in your department. They drive self-awareness among your team.”
Implementing a data-driven approach isn’t without its hurdles. From identifying the right data to managing change, there are several challenges that Charmaine believes legal teams need to address. Most importantly, quality trumps quantity when it comes to data, which means legal teams must focus on collecting information which is relevant and actionable.
“Traditionally, legal professionals are not trained to be figure-centric or data-focused,” she says, adding that any resistance to utilizing tech is likely due to a lack of resources – not knowing where the data lies and how to identify and use it correctly.
“Understanding the purpose – why you’re collecting this data – is hugely beneficial. Data can improve your decision making and your operational efficiency – which is likely to be your leadership team’s favorite cost saving. More often than not, a business’ strategic goals are revenue driven.”
Any professional misgivings aside, the trend towards data-informed legal work is here to stay, and Charmaine warns that the legal profession must ride the wave or risk being swept aside. Introducing new technology and processes requires effective and enthusiastic change management as well as strong communication. She advises gaining buy-in from stakeholders and involving them in the transition to make the adoption of new tools smoother.
There are a number of technologies available to help legal teams, but to collect and analyze data effectively, you need to centralize data repositories and standardize data entry. Key tools that Charmaine recommends worth considering are:
Contract management systems – Contract management systems (CMS) streamline the entire contract lifecycle. They automate the tracking of key dates, monitor performance, and provide analytics on turnaround times, ensuring efficient contract management and helping to meet deadlines.
Matter management software – Matter (or case) management software centralizes all case-related information, making it easier to monitor workload, allocate resources, and measure performance. Charmaine says her top priority is having what she refers to as a legal front door. “Having that intake and triage can make a huge difference for the business.”
Business intelligence tools – Business intelligence (BI) tools offer advanced analytics, enabling legal teams to generate detailed reports and dashboards. If these tools are part of a consolidated solution which includes all of your legal work, the resulting data will be even more valuable.
Data visualization – Data visualization tools turn raw data into actionable insights. Charts, graphs, and dashboards make it easier to understand complex data and highlight key metrics, making it simpler to communicate the legal team’s impact to stakeholders.
Thankfully, there are now platforms available that do all of the above.
For legal teams looking to leverage data and metrics through technology, Charmaine offers five practical tips:
Charmaine stresses that by leveraging technology to gather and measure data and metrics, in-house legal teams can transform their operations and clearly demonstrate their value. Collecting and analyzing the right metrics not only enhances transparency and accountability but also positions legal teams as proactive business enablers. By embracing technology, standardizing workflows, and prioritizing data quality to drive meaningful impact, the true value of in-house legal teams is in plain sight. Which is exactly where it should be.
“It’s time to transform the narrative around in-house legal teams,” she says. “We are more than just lawyers – we are key enablers of our businesses.”
