Why has Analysis Group's expert witness placement service experienced a 25% decline in successful placements for antitrust cases in the last 6 months?

Introduction

Analysis Group's expert witness placement service has experienced a 25% decline in successful placements for antitrust cases over the last 6 months. This significant drop in performance requires a thorough investigation to identify the root cause and develop effective solutions. I'll approach this issue systematically, examining both internal and external factors that could be contributing to the decline.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Given the specific timeframe, I'm wondering about recent changes. Have there been any significant modifications to the placement process or criteria in the last 6-9 months?

Why it matters: Recent changes could directly impact placement success rates. Expected answer: Information about process changes or lack thereof. Impact on approach: If changes occurred, we'd focus on their effects; if not, we'd look elsewhere.

• Considering the antitrust focus, I'm curious about market dynamics. Has there been a shift in the demand for antitrust expert witnesses in the legal industry recently?

Why it matters: External market factors could explain the decline. Expected answer: Insights into market trends for antitrust cases. Impact on approach: Market shifts would lead us to explore adaptation strategies.

• Thinking about the success metric, I'm interested in its definition. Can you clarify how a "successful placement" is defined and measured?

Why it matters: Ensures we're analyzing the correct metric and haven't changed definitions. Expected answer: Clear definition of successful placement criteria. Impact on approach: Might reveal issues in measurement or definition changes.

• Reflecting on the expert pool, I'm wondering about its composition. Has there been any significant change in the availability or qualifications of expert witnesses in your network?

Why it matters: Changes in expert availability could affect placement rates. Expected answer: Information on expert pool stability or changes. Impact on approach: Would guide us to focus on expert recruitment or retention if relevant.