Developing Court Capabilities and Insights through Data Conversion

Court systems nationally and internationally engage in upgrading case management systems or their components to improve the capturing and monitoring of case processing in more modern and standardized ways. In the fall of 2014, the Maryland Judiciary began its statewide implementation of Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC); a single judiciary-wide integrated case management solution to include trial and appellate courts. One of 24 general jurisdiction courts in Maryland began its involvement in this statewide initiative in May 2018. Preparing for system implementation at the local court level involved participation in multiple projects including but not limited to data conversion, system development and establishing data integrations and customized reports and extracts. These projects required the identification, mobilization and, at times, supplementation of resources. Drawing upon Ostrom and Hanson’s (2010) “Achieving High Performance: A Framework for Courts” and the concept of “capitals” (human, organizational, technology, and information), this paper describes the court’s management of a data conversion project and the lessons learned from the experience. Through engagement, opportunities and challenges arose that shaped the responses by the court’s conversion management team on this and future projects.