An agile methodology is used in many disciplines and it relates to dividing any project into different sections in order to make progress and coordination easier among team members. Each step is constantly being updated, revised, and evaluated and in that way, an agile methodology can really prime a case a success and help the legal team in working together. However, it is worthwhile to note that each case does not respond to this methodology so legal personnel have to pick and choose according to the situation.
When dealing with cross-functional workflows, managing multiple clients, and also being digitally wired in cases, the agile methodology may seem appropriate but here are some questions to determine whether or not it will work for you.
- How Important Is Client Participation & Input?
Agile methodologies rely on the client, customer, and end-user satisfaction. Before employing this methodology you have to ascertain the importance of input from the client. In many legal cases, stakeholders need to be consulted, feedback is needed back and forth (especially in corporate law), and the preference of the client is very important.
Needless to say, this is not the case with all legal proceedings such as the ones undertaken by an Orlando criminal defense attorney where criminal charges are likely to be at the forefront of the discussion and preparation.
- Is There An End Product?
If the team has a clear idea of an end product that has to be produced even if it is something intangible like a policy allows them to evenly break up the project and delegate work accordingly. Having an end product in mind also makes it easier to procure the right expertise and skills needed for the project and to put deadlines in place. Having a milestone-based approach to project completion promises punctuality and competence. This is harder to do in legal cases where there is no set outcome (only a preferred one) and no product or policy is being drafted or created.
- Is The Work Divisible?
In many projects dividing all the components may not be possible. An agile methodology employs a technique of sprints or cycles so that a large project can be made manageable within a fixed period of time. A legal department has to ascertain whether the project at hand can indeed be divided into several smaller components without compromising on the quality and dedication needed for the whole. If a contract is being drawn up for example the work can be divided into varying clauses, user terms, fallback terms, and so on.
- Is Diverse Expertise Required?
Another reason why a project might effectively be broken up into smaller components is that a different set of skills is needed for each part. Experts, outside counsel, and attorneys with different specializations may be consulted or included in the execution of the project. For complicated projects like digital initiatives for businesses, a varied set of experts will be engaged making an agile methodology feasible and useful.
