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.
There are a number of active projects in EDRM that counselors, IT managers, law firms, and e-discovery vendors can join, including:
EDRM Evergreen (2008-2009)
The goals of the EDRM Evergreen Project are:
- To ensure that the Electronic Discovery Reference Model remains current, practical and relevant;
- To enhance the content at each node of the Model; and
- To educate about how to make effective use of the Mode
EDRM XML (2008-2009)
The goal of the EDRM XML Project is 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, from one software program to the next, and from one organization to the next.
The ESI includes both underlying discovery materials (e.g., email messages and attachments, loose files, and databases) and information about those materials (e.g., the source of the underlying ESI, processing of that ESI, and production of that ESI).
EDRM XML will help practitioners significantly streamline processes and enable the integration of multiple e-discovery technologies. In the 2008-2009 project year, this group will continue development of version 1 of the EDRM XML schema, including the validation tools and related materials. Additionally, the EDRM XML group begin development of version 2 of the EDRM XML schema and promote the use of the EDRM XML schema.
EDRM Metrics (2008-2009)
The goal of the EDRM Metrics Project is to provide an effective means of measuring the time, money and volumes associated with e-discovery activities. In addition, the Metrics model group is responsible for creating tracking, reporting and measurement protocols to assess e-discovery activities, and, to the extent metrics data becomes available, begin analysis of that data.
The Metrics project follows the electronic discovery process described in the Electronic Discovery Reference Model: identification, preservation, collection, processing, review, analysis, and production, as well as the overarching project management activities that are in inherent part of any e-discovery undertaking.
EDRM Model Code of Conduct (2008-2009)
The goal of the Model Code of Conduct Project is to develop aspirational voluntary ethical guidelines for electronic discovery providers and consumers. Ultimately, these guidelines will be akin to those under which attorneys, court personnel and others in the legal space operate.
EDRM Search (2008-2009)
The goal of the EDRM Search Project is to provide a framework for defining and managing various aspects of Search as applied to E-discovery workflow.
E-discovery practitioners use several search techniques for culling and locating electronically stored information. By specifying the type of search, its behavior and expected results, the uncertainty and incompleteness of search can be addressed.
EDRM Data Set (2008-2009)
The goal of the EDRM Data Set Project is to compile a 100 gigabyte data set that can be used to test various aspects of electronic discovery software and services.