Crafting an Intranet Development Strategy That Works
Introduction
An intranet is a powerful tool for organizations to improve internal communication, collaboration, and information sharing. However, developing an effective intranet requires careful planning and strategy. In this article, we will discuss the key steps and considerations for crafting an intranet development strategy that works.
Step 1: Define Your Objectives
The first step in crafting an intranet development 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 clearly defining your objectives, you can align your intranet development efforts with your organization’s goals and priorities.
Step 2: Choose the Right Platform
Once you have defined your objectives, the next step is to choose the right platform for your intranet. SharePoint is a popular choice for intranet development due to its robust features and flexibility. Whether you opt for SharePoint on-premise or SharePoint online, it is important to select a platform that aligns with your organization’s IT infrastructure and requirements.
Step 3: Design and Structure
The design and structure of your intranet play a crucial role in its usability and effectiveness. Consider the needs and preferences of your users when designing the layout and navigation of your intranet. A well-designed intranet should be intuitive, user-friendly, and visually appealing. It should also have a clear and logical structure that allows users to easily find the information they need.
Step 4: Content Management
Content is the heart of any intranet. To ensure the success of your intranet, it is important to have a robust content management strategy in place. This includes defining content ownership, establishing content creation and approval processes, and regularly updating and maintaining the content on your intranet. Consider outsourcing SharePoint development or utilizing managed SharePoint services to ensure efficient content management.
Step 5: User Adoption and Training
Even the most well-designed and feature-rich intranet will not be effective if users do not adopt and utilize it. To encourage user adoption, it is important to provide comprehensive training and support to your employees. This can include training sessions, user guides, and ongoing support. Additionally, it is important to regularly communicate the benefits and value of the intranet to your employees to encourage usage.
Conclusion
Crafting an intranet development strategy that works requires careful planning and consideration. By defining your objectives, choosing the right platform, designing an intuitive structure, implementing a robust content management strategy, and focusing on user adoption and training, you can create an intranet that enhances internal communication, collaboration, and productivity within your organization.