The EDRM diagram represents a conceptual view of the electronic discovery process, not a literal one. One may engage in some but not all of the steps outlined in the diagram, or one may elect to carry out the steps in a different order that shown here.

The diagram also portrays an iterative model. One might repeat the same step numerous times, honing in on a more precise set of results. On might also cycle back to earlier steps, refining one's approach as a better understanding of the data emerges or as the nature of the matter changes.

The diagram is intended as a basis for discussion and analysis, not as a prescription for the one and only right way to approach electronic discovery.

Each box in the EDRM diagram represents a major stage in the electronic discovery process broadly defined. Within each box there can be a number of sub-processes. Each box is connected to the others boxes by both colored and black arrows.

The colored arrows, such as the blue arrow from Information Management to Identification, represent a consensus view of a typical electronic discovery workflow. Although the colored arrows represent a common general flow of events, the black arrows are just as important.

The black arrows, such as the arrow from Identification to Information Management, show that the electronic discovery process often is iterative. At any stage of the electronic discovery process, it may be appropriate to cycle back to an earlier stage. For example, as you monitor processing of ESI, you may realize that an additional custodian's ESI is relevant for your purposes and decide to return to the identification, preservation and collection stages to deal with that person's ESI.

As you work through the electronic discovery process, you should be able to reduce the volume of ESI with which you need to contend. While you might start the process with terabytes of data, by the end of the process rarely will you want to put more than a handful of files before an audience.