 Part of the success of the DuPont Legal Model is its ability to embrace change and adapt to new challenges. Inorder to continually integrate new strategies and solutions into the DuPont Legal Model, DuPont Legal, its Primary Law Firms (PLFs) and Primary Service Providers (PSPs) have devoted considerable time and money to applying the Six Sigma methodology to processes within in the legal department’s realm. Six Sigma provides a disciplined approach to business improvement by systematically improving processes and eliminating defects, which are defined as units that are not members of the intended population.
Originally used by Motorola, Six Sigma’s value has been proved in companies such as Allied Signal, Sony, General Electric, Lockheed Martin, Polaroid, and Kodak.
Six Sigma at DuPont Legal
Six Sigma at DuPont Legal has led to savings, process accountability and much more. At the outset, there was little experience in the business world for Six Sigma in legal services. The drive for collaboration and bottom line savings in the Legal Model served as an important grounding. Within DuPont Legal, early projects addressed:
- Litigation costs
- Patents and trademarks
- Administrative services
- Information technology implementation
- Records management
Six Sigma supports the unique role that the Legal Function provides in its delivery of legal services to the corporation. Aligning with the accomplishment of short- and long-term strategic goals, the Legal Six Sigma adds:
- Support for process excellence in core legal processes
- Adherence to cost effective Control Plans
- The opportunity to identify and lead cross functional projects
- The management of legal risks of the corporation
Today, every global member of DuPont Legal and every PLF and PSP plays a part in Six Sigma. It is the way work is done at DuPont Legal and key to meeting the company’s “Sustainable Growth” productivity goal. Given the Legal Network members’ central role in cost savings and risk management, their continued and active involvement is critical to the program’s success. |
