# The Analytics Workbench

### Summary

Learn how to use the Analytics Workbench to build fully customizable reports that span across different court systems (Federal, State, and Agencies) using your own specific criteria.

### Why This is Important

Pre-built dashboards (like Federal Analytics) are great for standard questions. But sometimes you have a unique question that doesn't fit a template, such as: *"Show me every Motion to Dismiss in Commercial Cases across New York State Courts and Federal Courts in the last 5 years."* The **Analytics Workbench** is a flexible canvas that lets you mix and match data sources to build this exact report.

### Step-by-Step Guide

#### **Step 1: Access the Workbench**

1. Navigate to the **Dashboard**.
2. Click **Analytics** in the left sidebar.
3. Select **Analytics Workbench**.

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2Fl2vCuqJjYBb7A02ebiCC%2FExpand%20the%20Analytics%20menu%20in%20the%20left%20sidebar%20to%20access%20the%20Analytics%20Workbench..gif?alt=media&#x26;token=51cbccee-cbd1-4783-8083-5df995e8ec4a" alt=""><figcaption><p>Expand the Analytics menu in the left sidebar to access the Analytics Workbench.</p></figcaption></figure>

#### **Step 2: Define Your Library (The "What")**

First, you need to tell the system which set of cases to analyze.

1. **Search:** Use the built-in search bar (similar to the Query Builder) to define your universe of cases.
   * *Example:* `Judge: "Robert R. Reed" AND Case Type: "Commercial"`
2. **Filter:** Apply jurisdiction filters (e.g., "New York State Supreme Court").
3. **Select:** The system will identify the relevant dockets (e.g., "10 dockets selected").

<figure><img src="https://1556743161-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MS8Dq_iqEIflAmbaOkI-887967055%2Fuploads%2Fv40OdBPNraw7AdMG5VEG%2FStep%201%20Define%20the%20set%20of%20cases%20you%20want%20to%20analyze..gif?alt=media&#x26;token=9dea5b6a-0a62-4ee7-a5fc-dfe2f5bb2aa1" alt=""><figcaption><p>Step 1: Define the set of cases you want to analyze.</p></figcaption></figure>

#### **(Optional) Step 3: Define Your Outcome Tags (The "How")**

Next, create tags to tag events based on conditions you set.

1. First, name your tag.
   * *Example:* `Motion to Dismiss`
2. Click `Add Condition` and select `Contents`
3. Enter condition.
   1. Example: `motion w/2 dismiss`
4. Click `Test Outcome Tags` to confirm your condition is properly tagging the expected events.
5. Once your review is done, click `Save Outcome Tags.`
6. Repeat to add as many conditions as you need.

#### **Step 4: Visualize Results**

1. Click **Run Report** or **Visualize Results**.
2. The Workbench will generate a custom dashboard.

### Key Features

* **Cross-Jurisdictional:** Unlike other tools, the Workbench allows you to combine data from a State Court (e.g., NY Supreme) and a Federal Court (e.g., SDNY) into a single view.
* **Custom Tags:** You can create tags on any event in the docket and measure the time between events.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Pro Tip:** The Workbench is powerful but requires precise inputs. Start with a broad search to ensure you have enough data points (at least 20-30 cases) before narrowing down to specific tags.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

### Related Articles

* [Using Federal Analytics](https://support.vlex.com/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/analytics/using-federal-analytics)
* [Using Easy Analytics](https://support.vlex.com/docket-alarm/docket-alarm-home/analytics/using-easy-analytics)

### Need more help?

If you are trying to build a complex query and getting zero results, contact our Research Support team at <support@docketalarm.com> for assistance in refining your search terms.

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