Dechert | Our Experience

Overview

Dechert identified an opportunity for World Compass to help subscribers find answers more quickly across multiple countries and regulatory regimes. Their brief was clear: deliver a modern, scalable platform that would not only enhance the user journey but also lay the foundation for future innovation. Operating as a single, embedded team, we worked with Dechert through discovery, design, and delivery to build a future-ready platform that elevates the digital experience of accessing complex legal knowledge.

Opportunity

Dechert were planning the next evolution of their World Compass platform to serve specialist users better. The strategic goal was to heighten the user experience and ensure absolute confidence in every search result. This meant evolving the search function from a comprehensive, multi-step process into a seamless and intuitive workflow.

Key objectives included launching new premium features to differentiate the product and attract new subscribers. Dechert also wanted to build a modern cloud infrastructure to support future expansion and gain a deeper understanding of client activity. We supported this by co-developing ‘Subscriber Profiles,’ allowing firms to securely log their licensing and funding data and enabling Dechert to deliver more tailored prompts and services.

Solution

Over 12 months, we blended agile product delivery with deep user research. In a true partnership, we embedded two of Dechert's engineers directly into our team and collaborated with their delivery leads to establish modern, agile working practices.

A cornerstone of our platform redesign was the introduction of AI-enhanced natural language search. This powerful new feature enables users to ask questions in plain English and instantly locate specific, relevant guidance, transforming the user's ability to navigate complex legal knowledge.

Together, we developed a modern, intuitive user interface that makes complex guidance easier to explore and act upon. The new Subscriber Profiles enable firms to manage their data in one place, providing Dechert with the insight to deliver more targeted services.

We also streamlined critical back-office functions, including revamped subscription tools with options for customisation and feature toggling. This created the foundation for layered pricing and customised packages. An automated content review process was embedded to streamline collaboration with local counsel, ensuring guidance remains accurate and secure.

Outcome

Our close partnership has evolved how the Dechert team approaches product delivery. By focusing on co-creation rather than fixed specifications, Dechert’s leaders were able to prioritise development based on continuous customer feedback, ensuring the team achieved the most impactful outcomes within the timeline and budget.

The new World Compass platform delivered major advances, launching on schedule with full rollout planned for October 2025. Users now benefit from AI-enhanced natural language search, allowing them to locate specific guidance in moments and save valuable time. Early adopters are already experiencing faster, more direct access to the guidance they need.

The collaboration has generated significant value for Dechert. The new features create a stronger value proposition to support subscription growth and open clear opportunities for new revenue. Moreover, the AI-powered navigation now sets World Compass apart from competitors, reinforcing Dechert’s position as a market leader. This collaboration also gave Dechert’s teams hands-on experience in modern product development, equipping them to continue innovating with confidence.