The Go Live Station marks the formal commencement of your managed legal service (MLS) solution. It is the point at which the MLS provider begins delivering services under the agreed framework, and the legal department transitions from planning to performance.

This station is not just a ceremonial milestone - it is a critical operational checkpoint. A successful go-live confirms that the solution has been properly implemented, that stakeholders are aligned, and that the MLS provider is ready to deliver against defined SLAs and governance protocols.

At GLS, we treat go-live as a strategic activation. It is the moment where transformation becomes tangible. The legal team begins to experience the benefits of delegation, improved turnaround times, and reduced workload. The business sees faster deal execution and clearer engagement with legal.

Importantly, go-live must be data-informed and governance-aligned. It must be based on validated pilot results, calibrated SLAs, and a clear understanding of what success looks like. Without this clarity, go-live becomes a gamble - and transformation loses its footing.

The scope of the Go Live Station typically includes:

◼️Formal Service Commencement: Activating the MLS provider’s delivery under agreed terms.

◼️Stakeholder Notification: Communicating go-live status and engagement protocols to all relevant teams.

◼️SLA Activation: Enabling performance tracking and reporting mechanisms.

◼️Workflow Integration: Ensuring the MLS provider is embedded into live legal processes.

◼️Issue Escalation Protocols: Establishing how service issues will be identified and resolved.

◼️Performance Monitoring: Tracking early delivery metrics to validate solution effectiveness.

◼️Governance Compliance: Confirming that service delivery aligns with legal policy and risk thresholds.

◼️Feedback Channels: Opening structured pathways for user input and continuous improvement.

In GLS legal ops speak – the Go Live is considered a “Foundational” resource within the process ecosystem of an in-house legal team.

The Foundational Resource is a CRE that is responsible for determining the overall performance capabilities of a “critical” legal function. If it is not optimised, the function can never be optimised. 

The best practice features of the Go Live Station are as follows:

◼️Clear Go-Live Criteria: Defined success metrics and readiness checks prior to launch.

◼️Stakeholder Alignment: All impacted teams are informed and prepared for activation.

◼️SLA Enablement: Performance expectations are live and measurable from day one.

◼️Operational Integration: MLS provider is fully embedded into legal workflows.

◼️Escalation Framework: Issues are managed through structured protocols.

◼️Governance Assurance: Delivery operates within approved legal boundaries.

◼️Feedback Activation: User insights are captured to refine service delivery.

◼️Post-Go-Live Review: Early performance is assessed to confirm solution effectiveness.

The Go Live Station delivers the following value to the Business:

◼️Immediate Service Activation: Legal transformation begins delivering value from day one.

◼️Faster Deal Execution: MLS provider begins handling contracting workflows at speed.

◼️Improved Cost Efficiency: Delegation reduces internal workload and resource strain.

◼️Enhanced Transparency: Business units understand how to engage legal under the new model.

◼️Scalable Legal Support: Go-live sets the stage for broader MLS deployment.

◼️Better Vendor Accountability: SLAs and performance metrics are live and enforceable.

◼️Operational Resilience: Legal support continues uninterrupted during transition.

◼️Transformation Momentum: Successful go-live builds confidence and accelerates change.

The optimisation of this Station will build value in the legal department in the following ways:

◼️Service Continuity: Legal workflows continue seamlessly during activation.

◼️Team Confidence: Legal professionals see transformation as structured and beneficial.

◼️Delegation Enablement: MLS provider begins delivering under controlled conditions.

◼️Performance Visibility: SLAs and KPIs are tracked from the outset.

◼️Governance Compliance: Service delivery respects legal policy and risk thresholds.

◼️Stakeholder Engagement: Business units engage more effectively with legal.

◼️Feedback Loop Activation: Legal receives real-time insights for service refinement.

◼️Transformation Infrastructure: Legal team is equipped for ongoing optimisation and scaling.

The Go Live Station is essential for:

◼️Legal departments seeking to implement managed legal services

◼️Teams undergoing legal transformation or restructuring

◼️Legal operations professionals designing scalable service models

◼️GCs and Heads of Legal aligning legal support with business strategy

◼️Procurement functions looking to streamline and reduce costs

A legal team operating without a Go Live Station will face a wide range of inefficiencies including:

◼️Unclear Service Activation: Stakeholders don’t know when or how the MLS provider is live.

◼️Poor Performance Tracking: SLAs and KPIs are not enabled or monitored.

◼️Disrupted Workflows: MLS provider struggles to integrate into live processes.

◼️Stakeholder Confusion: Business units are unclear on engagement protocols.

◼️Compliance Risk: Service delivery may breach legal governance boundaries.

◼️Transformation Delays: Lack of structure undermines momentum and confidence.

◼️Reduced ROI: MLS investment fails to deliver due to flawed activation.

◼️Low Team Morale: Legal professionals feel disconnected from the transformation effort.

The Go Live Station has a strong tech profile:

◼️SLA Tracking Systems: Performance metrics must be monitored from day one.

◼️Workflow Integration Tools: MLS provider must embed into legal and business platforms.

◼️Communication Platforms: Stakeholder updates and issue escalation must be tech-enabled.

◼️Feedback Systems: Digital channels capture user insights for refinement.

◼️Security Protocols: Data protection and confidentiality must be maintained throughout.

◼️Automation Activation: Go-live may trigger new workflow automation.
 
◼️Analytics Dashboards: Early performance data must be visualised and assessed.

◼️Scalability Infrastructure: Tech must support future expansion of MLS scope.