From The eDiscovery Paradigm Shift:
…I can’t remember having ever witnessed such an antagonistic atmosphere as the one that exists today in eDiscovery as technologists attempt to introduce new technology and lawyers desperately try to avoid the use of this new technology. I have been wrong a few times in the past about markets that are going through paradigm shifts and technology adoption lifecycles (e.g. voice recognition). However, I really don’t believe that there is an invasion of eDiscovery technologists from “deep space” or that anyone is trying to “snatch anyone’s body”.
As a long time student and follower of the technology adoption lifecyle as described in “Crossing the Chasm” by Geoffrey A. Moore, I am very well aware of the concepts of “early adopters”, “mainstream buyers” and “lagers”. And, as indicated by Mr. Moore, buyers and/or adopters fit into one of the technology adoption lifecycle categories and then move, into the next based upon a normal progression of events such as maturation of the technology, solid references, overwhelming evidence and facts like literally everyone else in the industry has moved (i.e. the very late lagers). The process is not unlike watching the migration of the wildebeests. However, is some very rare instances, this natural progression is dramatically accelerated due to factors that are very much beyond the control of the adopters. And, when this happens, the adopters are forced way outside their comfort zones and therefore have a tendency to act irrationally. It is my opinion that we are witnessing this phenomenon in eDiscovery.
The eDiscovery Paradigm Shift – e-Discovery Technology Adoption Lifecycle: Lawyers vs. Technologists
