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Content Assessment: A 2021 Look at eDiscovery Collection - Task, Spend, and Cost Data Points
Information - 94%
Insight - 91%
Relevance - 96%
Objectivity - 92%
Authority - 96%
94%
Excellent
A short percentage-based assessment of the qualitative benefit of the post highlighting ComplexDiscovery research on the eDiscovery task of collecting electronically stored information.
Editor’s Note: Originally published in June of 2019, this update on eDiscovery collection task, spend and cost information contains new data points based on recent refreshes of industry research from ComplexDiscovery. This update includes information from the 2021-2026 eDiscovery Market Size Mashup for Worldwide Software and Services and from the recent aggregation of seven semi-annual eDiscovery pricing surveys. This update may be beneficial for legal, business, and IT professionals considering the business of eDiscovery and specifically the economics of eDiscovery collection. To submit recommendations for consideration in ComplexDiscovery research, contact us today.
A 2021 Look at eDiscovery Collection: The Task
Within the context of data discovery and legal discovery, the task of collection consists of locating potential sources of electronically stored information (ESI) and gathering ESI for further use in the eDiscovery process. It is one of three tasks, that along with processing and review, make up the core tasks typically associated with the process of eDiscovery.
In considering the relative costs of the three core eDiscovery tasks of collection, processing, and review, in 2012, the task of collection represented approximately 8% of the total expenditure for eDiscovery tasks, with processing representing 19% of expenditures and review representing 73% of expenditures. (1) Based on market modeling since 2012, the current relative cost of the eDiscovery task of collection in 2021 has increased and is now estimated to be 14% of expenditures. Additionally, in 2021, the core eDiscovery task of processing is currently estimated to represent 19% of expenditures, and the core eDiscovery task of review is estimated to represent 67% of expenditures. (2)
Chart 1: Relative Task Expenditures for eDiscovery
1 - Relative Task Expenditures for Core eDiscovery Tasks - 2021Market Opportunity for Collection: The Spend
In evaluating the market spend for the eDiscovery task of collection through the lens of relative task expenditures and modeled market estimations, spending on collection-related software and services is estimated to constitute approximately 14% (1.83B) of worldwide eDiscovery software and services spending in 2021. The percentage of spending for the eDiscovery task of collection is estimated to increase to approximately 19% of overall eDiscovery spending by 2026, with that spend estimated to reach $3.59B in 2026. (3)
Chart 2: eDiscovery Market for Collection
2 - eDiscovery Market for Collection (2021-2026) - 2021Collection Pricing Data Points: The Cost
While many individual elements contribute to the cost of collection, results from semi-annual eDiscovery Pricing Surveys (4) may provide insight into three key costs and cost trends related to the eDiscovery task of collection. These costs include the per hour cost for a collection by a forensic examiner, the per device cost for a collection by a forensic examiner, and the per hour cost for analysis and expert witness services with support from a forensic examiner.
Responses from seven semi-annual eDiscovery pricing surveys regarding these three collection-related cost questions posed to cybersecurity, information governance, and legal discovery professionals are provided below for your consideration.
Chart 3: What is the per hour cost for a collection by a forensic examiner?
1 - Collection Pricing - Per Hour Cost for a Collection by a Forensic Examiner - AggregateChart 4: What is the per device cost for a collection by a forensic examiner?
2 - Collection Pricing - Per Device Cost for a Collection by a Forensic Examiner - AggregateChart 5: What is the per hour cost for analysis and expert witness support by a forensic examiner?
3 - Collection Pricing - Per Hour Cost for Analysis and Expert Witness Support from a Forensic Examiner - AggregateReferences
(1) Pace, N., & Zakaras, L. (2012). Where the Money Goes: Understanding Litigant Expenditures for Producing Electronic Discovery (p. xiv, xv). RAND Institute for Civil Justice.
(2) Robinson, R. (2021). An eDiscovery Market Size Mashup: Worldwide Software and Services Overview – 2021-2026. Retrieved from https://complexdiscovery.com/ediscovery-market-size-mashup-2021-2026-worldwide-software-and-services-overview-2021-2026/.
(3) Ibid.
(4) Robinson, R. (2021). Common Cents? An Aggregate Overview of Seven Semi-Annual eDiscovery Pricing Surveys. Retrieved from https://complexdiscovery.com/common-cents-an-aggregate-overview-of-seven-semi-annual-ediscovery-pricing-surveys/.
Additional Research
Additional Reading
- A Running List: Top 100+ eDiscovery Providers
- Defining Cyber Discovery? A Definition and Framework
- Moving Forward? A Running Listing of eDiscovery Events in 2022
Source: ComplexDiscovery