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ExpertSourcing: An Effective Approach To Technology Problem Solving

Most law firms, regardless of size, have to outsource technology projects to consultants who have capabilities that the firm does not carry in-house. The smaller firms that do not retain a large IT staff must take this approach more often. Fortunately, outsourcing technology support can evolve into a more valuable model for working with outside consultants: “expertSourcing.” When a law firm hires a company to assist on a technology project, generally they are bringing in technicians who will execute it within the narrow boundaries of the scope. The consultants may not ask, or even know to ask, crucial questions about how the technology fits into the law firm practice, how it facilitates other firm needs or if a better solution is available.

An expertSource company, on the other hand, is focused on the holistic success of the law firm as a business entity. The technology is not an end in itself, but rather, a tool to practice law. The expertSourcing consultant(s) will meet with the firm's IT director, executive administrator, managing partner or others to strategize beyond the project at hand and ask broader questions: How will the data be used? Who will use it? How will information and work flow? How will all of the regional offices and clients interface? The meeting is a big picture analysis that identifies how well the project would meet the firm's business needs. Often, a firm will call the expertSource consultant in for only 20-30 hours of analysis to critique a contemplated project rather than launching directly into the project before looking at alternatives.

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