This mini-series is on how to use Lean Adviser, as a tool for creative, talented lawyers who want to delight their clients, build a reputation and get repeat business. Previous lessons discussed how it’s totally intuitive. Pick it up, examine it and everything will make total sense and follow naturally.

Then, we opened the toolbox and looked at the first stage of being a lean lawyer, planning. We rummaged through it and found easy-to-use assets, for the good of your assignment, your client, and your firm, and we got into how to use them.

Now we look at the execution stage. This is where you put your plan into action. But how? Hopefully, you’ve agreed on a range of outcomes, done some initial investigation, and thought about resources, budgets and strategy. But what next? Being “lean” is about doing your daily tasks more efficiently, effectively and transparently as you execute your plan.

Lean Adviser gets at this in three ways. First, identify what really matters and focus on that. You may have some acquired ideas during planning, and this will become continually clearer during the assignment.

Then comes the actual getting on with it. As you work up the parts of the assignment that matter, do your lawyering and deal with your clients, be sure to do it all in a lean way. Lean Adviser has powerful techniques for “lean research” “lean meetings” and even “lean engagements” with opposing counsel.

The last element is your counter-balance, and we call it “Just In Case.” Having narrowed your focus, and adopted some lean working methods, what if you’ve missed something? This is where you pause, take stock and see if any detail or opportunity has been overlooked. Lean Adviser has a technique for that too.

Here’s a good way to look at how to execute your plan:

  1. Use your eyes, to see what matters; then
  2. Use your hands, to do the work, and then
  3. Use your imagination to review it.

RELATED TOOLS:

Strategy and Tactics Checklist

Lean Meeting Planner

The ‘Do It Lean’ Checklist