publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/858223
KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT 34 WWW.ILTANET.ORG | ILTA WHITE PAPER Expertise Location and Social Collaboration: Three Case Studies on a Winning Formula by Vishal Agnihotri, Gail Bergmiller, Dora Tynes and Ramin Vosough Expertise Location and Social Collaboration: Three Case Studies on a Winning Formula Many law firms have implemented or are planning to roll out expertise location initiatives. Expertise is found in many forms and places within a firm, and there are many opportunities –– oen untapped –– to institutionalize tacit forms of knowledge that exist. This is especially true related to communities of practice built around clients, maers, practices or industry and other functional or subject areas. In this article, you will hear directly from knowledge management (KM) leaders who have planned, conceptualized and implemented expertise location solutions. One common theme emerges: there is tremendous value in transitioning knowledge away from email into dynamic, indexed communities that allow social interactions to be referenced for future use. Law firms sell and are differentiated by their highly specialized, unique expertise. The KM organization commonly maintains the firm's highest-value knowledge –– skills and expertise of individual associates, client and maer information, and precedent documents. Recognizing the need to capitalize on knowledge as a material business asset, more firms are embracing sophisticated, customized KM processes and solutions. Expertise location platforms coupled with social collaboration are integral to this trend, proving the impact of not just locating an ideal contact but also capturing and disseminating knowledge within a defined work community. KM faces challenges such as reducing reliance on internal IT teams, maintaining flexibility for growth, disseminating firm knowledge and building firm culture. By understanding best practices in deploying an expertise location and social collaboration platform, firms can begin to address these challenges and drive stronger KM programs for the long term. The right KM strategy and technologies