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You are viewing ARCHIVED CONTENT released online between 1 April 2010 and 24 August 2018 or content that has been selectively archived and is no longer active. Content in this archive is NOT UPDATED, and links may not function.The Changing eDiscovery Climate
Initiated in January of 2016, the eDiscovery Business Confidence Survey is a non-scientific quarterly survey designed to provide insight into the business confidence level of individuals working in the eDiscovery ecosystem. The survey consists of nine multiple choice questions focused on factors related to the creation, delivery, and consumption of eDiscovery products and services. The survey is open to legal, business, and information technology professionals operating in the eDiscovery ecosystem and individuals are invited to participate via the ComplexDiscovery blog, via social media, and via direct email invitations. To date, the survey has been administered six times since January 2016 with 641 individual responses.
The latest survey was administered in the Spring of 2017. Based on the latest survey viewed through the results of past surveys, the following key findings were identified:
Four Key Findings
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- Respondents have a more positive view of the current business climate this quarter (Spring 2017) than they did last quarter. However, it is not viewed as positive as it was in the Spring of 2016. (Chart 1)
- Respondents have a more positive view of the current business climate this quarter (Spring 2017) than they did last quarter. However, it is not viewed as positive as it was in the Spring of 2016. (Chart 1)
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- Respondents feel the conditions six months from now will be better than they are this quarter. However, this is not as optimistic as respondents were in the Spring of 2016. (Chart 2)
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- Respondents feel that revenue in six months will be higher than it is this quarter. This is more optimistic than respondents were in the Spring of 2016. (Chart 3)
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- Respondents feel that profits in six months will be higher than they are this quarter. This is more optimistic than respondents were in the Spring of 2016 and more optimistic than any of the previous surveys. (Chart 4)
These findings appear to represent a positive confidence in the business of eDiscovery during the Spring of 2017.
Survey Charts
(Charts Can Be Expanded for Detailed Viewing)
Chart 1: How would you rate the current general business conditions for eDiscovery in your segment?
Subjective feeling of business performance when compared with business expectations.
Chart 2: How do you think the business conditions will be in your segment six months from now?
Subjective feeling of business performance when compared with business expectations.
Chart 3: How would you guess revenue in your segment of the eDiscovery ecosystem will be six months from now? Revenue is income generated from eDiscovery-related business activities.
Revenue + 6 Months
Chart 4: How would you guess profits in your segment of the eDiscovery ecosystem will be six months from now? Profit is the amount of income remaining after accounting for all expenses, debts, additional revenue streams, and operating costs.
Profit + 6 Months
Running Listing of Survey Results
- Spring 2017 Survey (14 April – 1 May 2017)
- Winter 2017 Survey (20 January – 6 February 2017)
- Fall 2016 Survey (11 October – 1 December 2016)
- Summer 2016 Survey (1 August – 31 August 2016)
- Spring 2016 Survey (1 May – 31 May 2016)
- Winter 2016 Survey (15 February – 29 February 2016)
Chart 5: Survey Participant Overview
ParticipantsSource: Original Research