If you create a detailed Cast of Characters for every dispute, even those that appear small, it s likely that you ll spot potential problems earlier. Further, even small matters have more players than anyone can meaningfully organize and evaluate in his or her head. And the practice gained creating a Cast of Characters for small cases makes you more adept when doing so for larger ones. Using database software to create your Cast of Characters has numerous advantages over using word-processing software. For instance, database software allows you to enter information using pick lists, thereby saving time and eliminating misspellings.
Many database systems allow multiple users to work in a file simultaneously.
And some database packages support replication and synchronization. Replication and synchronization permits trial team members to work in separate copies of the Cast of Characters database as they travel, and to merge the changes they make into one updated database file when they return to the office. As I ve illustrated in other sections of this article, database software also makes it easy to explore your Cast of Characters in ways that are simply impossible using word-processing software. For example, database software makes it easy to filter your Cast of Characters down to any subset of interest. Rather than printing a report that lists every item, print a Cast of Characters that lists only witnesses, or one that lists only those players that you have designated as being extremely critical to the case or particularly good or bad.