Collection

What is data collection? The acquisition of electronic information (data) marked as potentially relevant in the identification phase. This discussion assumes collection of electronic information by the owner of that information which is intended to be reviewed before production to opposing parties. The exigencies of litigation generally require that electronic information should be collected in a manner that is comprehensive, maintains its content integrity and preserves its form.

Increasingly, metadata is required to be collected and maintained during this process and information regarding the chain of custody and authentication is required. Also, today the presumption is that this information will be producible in its native file format whenever possible. The process of collecting electronic information will generally provide feedback to the identification function which may impact and expand identified content.

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Collection Guidelines

Based on the results of the Identification phase, adequate planning of the search strategy is a major key to overall effectiveness in the collection effort.

Collection Processes

Relevant data must be collected from each organization or custodian to be deemed part of an appropriate and defensible collection.

Cost Drivers

As many companies manage terabytes of information containing potentially relevant information, it is essential to use a culling methodology to try to get the data down to a responsive set of information.