How would AI design law firm work allocation software?

Below is ChatGPT's response. If you're on a computer, hover your cursor over the highlighted text to see how Capacity measures up to the criteria discussed by GPT’s fictional panel. On mobile, tap and hold the highlighted text to reveal our comments.

James Anderson (Senior Partner): To begin, I'd certainly like the software to have a real-time dashboard displaying the workload of each attorney. This would give us a bird's-eye view of who's overwhelmed and who has the capacity to take on more cases.

Emily Roberts (HR Director): I agree with James, but it's also crucial that the software factors in the skillset and specialization of each attorney. We can't just allocate work based on availability. We need to ensure the right person is assigned to the right case.

Martin Lewis (IT Manager): From a tech perspective, the software must be user-friendly and have seamless integration with our existing systems. I can't emphasize this enough. If it's not intuitive, no one will use it. Also, let's not forget about security. Client confidentiality is paramount.

Clara Bennett (Associate Attorney): While I understand the need for the dashboard, there should also be a feature that allows attorneys to indicate their preferences or areas they'd like to grow in. I don't want to be pigeonholed into a specific type of case just because that's what I've always done.

James Anderson: Clara, while I appreciate your perspective, we can't always allocate work based on preferences. Efficiency and client satisfaction come first.

Emily Roberts: James, I have to side with Clara here. If our attorneys are constantly working on cases they have no interest in, it can lead to burnout and decreased job satisfaction. We need to strike a balance.

Martin Lewis: Can we also consider including AI-driven analytics? This could help in predicting future workloads and assisting in more strategic allocations.

Clara Bennett: That sounds innovative, Martin, but I hope there's a human touch to it. I wouldn't want decisions being made solely by algorithms.

Emily Roberts: Agreed. While AI can provide insights, the final decision should always be in human hands. Also, we need a robust feedback mechanism in the software. Both attorneys and clients should be able to provide feedback on the allocations.

James Anderson: We're not looking to create a popularity contest here. While feedback is essential, it should be constructive and not just a rating system.

Martin Lewis: Lastly, we should ensure there's comprehensive training and support for the software. The last thing we need is resistance to change because people don't understand how to use the new system.

Clara Bennett: Training is a must. And while we're at it, can we also ensure that the software is mobile friendly? I'd like to be able to check my allocations on the go.

James Anderson: Mobile functionality is a nice-to-have, not a must-have. We'll consider it based on budget constraints.

Emily Roberts: Regardless of our individual preferences, it's essential that whatever software we choose aligns with the firm's long-term vision and goals.

The panelists continue to discuss, showcasing the varied perspectives and priorities each brings to the table. It's clear that while they all want the best for the firm, their definitions of "best" differ based on their roles and experiences.

End of ChatGPT-4 output.

Here's the link to ChatGPT's original response, in case you felt its output matched Capacity a little too neatly. Brilliant though its response was, we actually felt there were important features that the AI-generated panel did not discuss.

There was no word on diversity, and the importance of allocating work fairly to retain underrepresented lawyers. Nothing on hybrid work, and how work allocation technology can help firms harness every resource regardless of where they're working from. Wellbeing was only briefly touched upon, as was the rising trend of associate disengagement, even though both are impacted by how work is distributed in law firms.

The truth is, work allocation touches everything that firms care about. With the right software, firms can leverage work allocation to address any of the priorities mentioned above. We've built Capacity to be that solution – to help firms embed their vision in every delegation decision.