Docketing System
for Patent
Overview
Introduction
Docketing System is used by attorneys to alert them to upcoming filing deadlines and statutes of limitations on specific legal actions, motions, and cases. However, a simple way to put it, this is a system that contains a calendar, reminder, and task lists. The reason attorneys need to use this tool is to prevent themselves from missing deadline which can leads to liability claims made against the attorneys.
Assumption
It is known that the docketing system is to help prevent attorneys missing deadline. Since missing deadline can means patent/ trademark being abandon. It could also lead the client having to pay again to file which could ruin the attorny's reputation. However, this is the assumption that we are making about the purpose of docketing, however to create a product for it, is this truly the problem? We shall find out with user research.
User Research
Questions
The following is an outline of the questions.
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Familiarity with docketing process.
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The amount of time they use docketing.
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The docket product they are currently using.
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The other docket product they've used.
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Work flow, pain points and wish list.
Methods
The method I used in this user research was user interviews. Since I have the previlage to work with users, I thought I would set up brief interviews around 30 minutes to go over some of their experience using docketing system. I will also observe them as they use their current docket system to do their work. So I will get a better understanding of the work flow.
Users
The requirements that the users should have is the fact that they have done some sort of docketing before. It is best if the users have used a specific docketing product. If not, I would love to know how the users are docketing using their own methods.
Goals
Since there's already assumption made, the goal here is to find out if the assumption is correct. If not, then what are the true problems underlying in the experience. We will need to find out their journey docketing and also the pain points.
Results
Findings
Surely, the assumption we made wasn't too far off. However, the potential human error in missing deadline isn't as writing down a quick reminder. The underlying issue we found is that there are too many steps and things the users need to type in on their own. If they want to create reminder, they need to constantly add in new reminders for just one event.
Solution
Reporting
Process
Since these users are found online, we are all strangers to each other. It was not the easiest for them to feel comfortable participating in my project. I had two interviewers that were willing to do a voice call while another is only willing to respond to me through messages. All three were able to provide ample information. During the process, the users who liked the site were really happy about telling us the experience they have and encourages others who would like to get some side money to do it. On the other hand, the users who have bad experiences share tons of the issues they run into and recommend to stay away.
Overview
Introduction
Docketing System is used by attorneys to alert them to upcoming filing deadlines and statutes of limitations on specific legal actions, motions, and cases. However, a simple way to put it, this is a system that contains a calendar, reminder, and task lists. The reason attorneys need to use this tool is to prevent themselves from missing deadlines which can lead to liability claims made against the attorneys. This system will be integrated with the Rain system.
Assumption
It is known that the docketing system is to help prevent attorneys missing deadline. Since missing deadline can means patent/ trademark being abandon. It could also lead the client having to pay again to file which could ruin the attorny's reputation. However, this is the assumption that we are making about the purpose of docketing, however to create a product for it, is this truly the problem? We shall find out with user research.
User Research
Questions
The following is an outline of the questions.
-
Familiarity with docketing process.
-
The amount of time they use docketing.
-
The docket product they are currently using.
-
The other docket product they've used.
-
Work flow, pain points and wish list.
Methods
The method I used in this user research was user interviews. Since I have the previlage to work with users, I thought I would set up brief interviews around 30 minutes to go over some of their experience using docketing system. I will also observe them as they use their current docket system to do their work. So I will get a better understanding of the work flow.
Users
The requirements that the users should have is the fact that they have done some sort of docketing before. It is best if the users have used a specific docketing product. If not, I would love to know how the users are docketing using their own methods.
Goals
Since there's already assumption made, the goal here is to find out if the assumption is correct. If not, then what are the true problems underlying in the experience. We will need to find out their journey docketing and also the pain points.
Results
Findings
Surely, the assumption we made wasn't too far off. However, the potential human error in missing a deadline isn't as writing down a quick reminder. The underlying issue we found is that there are too many steps and things the users need to type in on their own. If they want to create reminders, they need to constantly add in new reminders for just one event.
Problem 1: The need to type in all events and deadlines individually.
Problem 2: Sometimes there may be a soft deadline where users would like to create several reminders to it.
Workflow & Sitemap
Solution
The solution that I created here is to make customization as easy as possible. It helps reduce the time that the users need to spend on writing reminders and event deadlines.
Solution to problem 1
Since there are so many different deadlines and events. We decided to create templates following the best practices. This will reduce the users' steps and now only need to focus on editing the templates instead of entering every deadline, event, and reminder.
Solution to problem 2
There are soft and hard deadlines that attorneys need to deal with. Since everyone does things differently, I created a reminder function for each event. This helps the attorneys to quickly customize the reminders based on their needs. Now the attorneys will not have to worry about entering the reminders each time they need it done.
The solution to problem 1.
The solution to problem 2.
