TheFocusofITwithinaDiscoveryResponseTeam·Chapter5 123 Creating Data Profiles and Mapping the IT Environment Data profiling (or mapping) is a type of process for examining data available in an existing source. In the area of e-discovery, you apply this approach by examining existing ESI sources (such as databases or files) to collect information about them. Through the process of data profiling, the practitioner identifies metrics concerning the ESI (size in gigabytes or terabytes, frequency or number of each file type that exists in the environment, and/or an estimated number of pages), and determines its accessibility, identifies legacy forms of ESI and their accessibility, outlines methods to capture the ESI, and establishes standard practices for maintaining all of this information. At the core of the e-discovery program, the IT team needs to identify locations, frequencies, and volumes of ESI early in the process. By doing this early or before litigation begins, counsel is afforded the ability to make earlier case strategy decisions, negotiate accordingly, and determine costs related to an e-discovery plan. Creating a data profile of your desktop and network systems does require a significant amount of time and effort; however, the steps in Figure 5.14 can enable your team to move through the process as quickly as possible. Figure 5.14 Data Profiling Project Phases