Scoring model

• ·Improves growth in the areas of focus

Recognises opportunities that directly advance the firm's officially prioritised strategic focus areas. The modest weighting keeps alignment important without letting loosely connected initiatives outweigh opportunities delivering tangible client, people or financial benefits.

• ·Improves client satisfaction scores
• ·Improves client retention rate
• ·Improves net promoter score

Client experience and retention drive long-term revenue and market reputation. Projects that improve satisfaction, deepen relationships or enhance client advocacy are weighted to reflect their part in strengthening and expanding the client base.

• ·Supports expansion of regional offices
• ·Supports expansion into new countries
• ·Increases revenue from international markets

Expansion into new locations or markets enables selective growth where conditions, timing and opportunity are favourable. The weighting acknowledges the importance of international reach while recognising that expansion is pursued episodically rather than continuously.

• ·Improves fee earner revenue
• ·Improves utilisation rate

Revenue and profitability remain the primary considerations in investment decisions. Initiatives that increase utilisation, enhance fee earner productivity, improve client lifetime value or introduce new income streams carry the heaviest weight because their strategic impact is high and immediate.

• ·Improves employee engagement scores
• ·Improves staff retention

Delivering high-quality legal services depends on attracting, developing and retaining talent. Projects that strengthen employee experience, engagement or retention provide long-term value, but the benefits accrue more gradually than financial impacts and are weighted proportionately.

• ·Improves efficiency through adoption of legal technology
• ·Improves processes through automation

Technology-enabled service delivery offers differentiation, efficiency and enhanced client value. This weighting ensures innovative projects are considered and rewarded without eclipsing core revenue and client priorities.

• ·Reduces operational footprint through optimisation and automation
• ·Allows for risk mitigation
• ·Aligns with the technology roadmap and future plans

Effective operational infrastructure lets the firm operate efficiently at scale. This weighting recognises the value of modernisation and operational resilience in supporting both client service and profitability.