The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/96072
How could NBI software be improved? BPM is all about process optimization: Legal IT needs the ability to design a first version of an NBI process tailored to their practice group structure and information needs, analyze it to determine areas for improvement and implement these improvements. The cycle must be iterated for continuous improvement. To make this happen, IT needs the ability to control and modify the intake solution, while also benefitting from outside expertise. An improved intake solution would therefore have the following qualities: • A workflow designed specifically for intake tasks like conflicts checks and matter opening • Integration across systems using a master data management platform, which incorporates rules to eliminate incorrect data, requires less data input by lawyers and creates a central, authoritative source the capacity to test changes before implementation • A user-friendly, elegant interface for both end users filling out forms and the IT team designing forms and workflows • A data-centric approach, so IT can utilize the process not only to collect data, but to classify and categorize it for immediate and later use (e.g., assigning access controls to confidential information from matter inception) Expanding IT Responsibility The ability to manipulate intake workflows or form structures on the fly will end up redefining the role IT can and should play in the overall NBI process. IT will have to be more responsive to the dynamic changes — such as mergers, lateral hires or practice groups fluctuations — occurring in firms as they compete in the market. Understanding the importance of new business intake review and how IT fits into the picture will set the stage for long-term success as new software and redefined processes increase IT's role in this all-important business function. • Agility to change both the task order and the form structure and content, including Pat Archbold manages IntApp's risk practice group and focuses on helping law firms address issues including client confidentiality, regulatory compliance and risk management. He has over 15 years of legal industry experience, including leadership positions with legal software, consulting and publishing organizations. Pat has presented at several law firm risk events internationally and contributes regularly to the Risk Roundtable program and the Law Firm Risk Management Blog. He can be contacted at pat.archbold@intapp.com. Sam Suri is the Director of Product Strategy at IntApp, where she advises global, European and U.K. law firms on change management, information risk management and compliance issues. Sam has been called upon to advise legal governing bodies, including the Law Society of England and Wales, on regulatory issues involving the use of technology in risk management and the advancement of industry standards. She can be contacted at sam.suri@intapp.com. 60 Peer to Peer Facilities: to respond to firm changes and reconcile the competing demands between firm personnel. The market needs a new solution.