Matter-centric discovery is dead. Or at least it’s dying. That’s what Insight Optix contends in the first of a two-part blog series here!

As discussed in their post titled (wait for it!) The Death of Matter-Centric Discovery – Part 1 (available here), for decades, discovery has been organized around a simple assumption: every matter is its own self-contained project.

A new lawsuit is filed. An investigation begins. The team starts from scratch. Custodians are identified. Data sources are mapped. Budgets are estimated. Workflows are rebuilt. Vendors are engaged. Decisions are re-made.

Then the matter closes and the knowledge disappears with it.

This “matter-centric” model made sense when litigation was infrequent, data was limited, and discovery could be treated as a temporary project rather than a permanent function.

But today, that model is breaking down.

Discovery has become continuous, data-driven, and enterprise-wide. And the traditional, matter-by-matter approach is now creating more problems than it solves.

So, why is matter-centric discovery breaking down? What is the complicating reality? And what is the hidden cost of starting over? Find out here, it’s only one click! Clicking “matters”! 😉 And stay tuned for Part 2, which will discuss how a discovery command center creates enterprise discovery intelligence!

So, what do you think? Do you agree that matter-centric discovery is dead – or at least it’s dying? Please share any comments you might have or if you’d like to know more about a particular topic.

Image created using DALL-E-3, using the term “tombstone in a cemetery with the words ‘Matter-Centric Discovery’ on it”.

Disclosure: Insight Optix is an Educational Partner and sponsor of eDiscovery Today

Disclaimer: The views represented herein are exclusively the views of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views held by my employer, my partners or my clients. eDiscovery Today is made available solely for educational purposes to provide general information about general eDiscovery principles and not to provide specific legal advice applicable to any particular circumstance. eDiscovery Today should not be used as a substitute for competent legal advice from a lawyer you have retained and who has agreed to represent you.