Crafting an Intranet Development Strategy that Delivers
Introduction
An intranet is a powerful tool for organizations to improve communication, collaboration, and productivity among employees. However, developing an effective intranet requires careful planning and strategy. In this article, we will discuss the key steps to crafting an intranet development strategy that delivers results.
1. Define Your Objectives
The first step in developing an intranet strategy is to clearly define your objectives. What do you want to achieve with your intranet? Are you looking to improve internal communication, streamline processes, or enhance knowledge sharing? By identifying your goals, you can align your intranet development efforts with your organization’s overall strategy.
2. Assess Your Current Infrastructure
Before diving into intranet development, it’s important to assess your current infrastructure. Do you have an existing intranet or collaboration platform? What are its strengths and weaknesses? Understanding your current setup will help you identify gaps and determine the best approach for your intranet development.
3. Choose the Right Platform
When it comes to intranet development, there are several platforms to choose from. SharePoint is a popular choice due to its robust features and flexibility. Whether you opt for SharePoint on-premise or SharePoint Online, it’s important to select a platform that aligns with your organization’s needs and capabilities. Consider factors such as scalability, security, and integration with other systems.
4. Design an Intuitive User Experience
An effective intranet should have a user-friendly interface that encourages adoption and engagement. Invest in intranet design that is intuitive and visually appealing. Consider the needs and preferences of your employees and create a layout that is easy to navigate. Incorporate features such as search functionality, personalized dashboards, and mobile responsiveness to enhance the user experience.
5. Develop Custom Features
While out-of-the-box intranet solutions offer a range of features, custom development can take your intranet to the next level. Identify specific requirements that are unique to your organization and develop custom features to address them. This could include integration with other business systems, automation of processes, or personalized content delivery. Outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency can help ensure the successful implementation of custom features.
6. Implement a Change Management Plan
Implementing a new intranet requires change management to ensure successful adoption. Develop a plan to communicate the benefits of the intranet to employees and provide training and support to help them navigate the new platform. Encourage feedback and continuously improve the intranet based on user input. Regularly communicate updates and enhancements to keep employees engaged and invested in the intranet.
Conclusion
Crafting an intranet development strategy that delivers requires careful planning and consideration of your organization’s objectives, infrastructure, platform choice, user experience, custom features, and change management. By following these steps, you can create an intranet that improves communication, collaboration, and productivity within your organization.