The Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) Project

Launched in May 2005, the Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) Project was created to address the lack of standards and guidelines in the electronic discovery market — a problem identified in the 2003 and 2004 Socha-Gelbmann Electronic Discovery surveys as a major concern for vendors and consumers alike.

The framework is now a ubiquitous model that outlines the steps that almost all companies follow when performing e–discovery:

Nearly every organization of any size will face an inquiry on electronically stored information for litigation, regulatory compliance, or corporate investigations. Whether a vendor, consultant, law firm attorney, in–house counsel or corporate IT manager, there are benefits to joining EDRM and sharing best practices and advice on managing this complex process and technology. (source http://www.edrm.net)

There are a number of active projects in EDRM that counselors, IT managers, law firms, and e–discovery vendors can join, including:

Evergreen

• Primary goal: To ensure that the Electronic Discovery Reference Model remains current, practical and relevant
  For more information: http://edrm.net/evergreen.php

Code of Conduct

• Primary goal: To develop voluntary ethical guidelines for providers and consumersconcerning electronic discovery,
  For more information: http://edrm.net/coc.php

Metrics 2

• Primary goal: To provide a standard approach and generally accepted language formeasuring the full range of electronic discovery activities
  For more information: http://edrm.net/metrics2.php

XML 2

• Primary goal: To provide a standard, generally accepted XML schema to facilitate the movement of electronically stored information (ESI) from one step of the electronic discovery process to the next.
  For more information: http://edrm.net/xml2.php