Tier 3: Thinking Strategically

What does this layer contain?

Whilst the bottom two layers of the pyramid focus on improving how you currently operate across the key aspects of a legal function, the third tier is about thinking aspirationally.

It is moving from being reactive and focused on delivery to thinking about how you should deliver.

These building blocks concentrate on planning how you can design your operations in a way that not only prepares you for the future but also aligns Legal with the strategy and values of your broader organisation.

Whilst these items sit near the top of the pyramid, depending on your function, ideally you should try and set your strategy first before moving into tactical implementation.  

What does that look like in practice?

The approach to building a strategy will follow a similar process regardless of the particular building block you are considering.

Firstly, you should understand your business’s needs, objectives, and values, and map out what the legal function needs to do to align with these (i.e., the desired future state).

Secondly, you should assess your current operating model (achieved through the lower tiers of the pyramid), identify the gaps between the current and the desired future state, and put in place a plan to fill those gaps.

Some examples of how this might work in practice could include:  

• Resourcing Strategy: Prioritising a focus on quick, internal delivery of matters of key strategic importance (e.g., new business), with outsourcing/automation for areas considered less important (e.g., NDAs).
• Engagement & Change Management: Developing a clear stance on how you will keep your function’s members and wider internal stakeholders engaged with the change needed to deliver across the pyramid.
• Demonstrating the Value of Legal: Using the data and information gathered through the lower tiers of the pyramid to build compelling stories highlighting the value of the legal function.

Key Takeaway: Once you have consistency in the way you currently operate, the next step towards becoming a strategic partner is to develop forward-thinking strategies for how you should deliver on each component.

The 6 C's of Legal Ops

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