Creating a Winning Intranet Development Strategy: Best Practices
Introduction
In today’s digital age, having an effective intranet is crucial for organizations to streamline communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among employees. SharePoint, a powerful platform developed by Microsoft, is widely used for intranet development due to its robust features and flexibility. In this article, we will discuss the best practices for creating a winning intranet development strategy using SharePoint.
1. Define Your Objectives
Before starting the intranet development process, it is essential to define your objectives. What do you want to achieve with your intranet? Identify the specific goals and outcomes you expect from your intranet, such as improving internal communication, enhancing employee engagement, or increasing productivity. This will help you align your development strategy with your organization’s needs and ensure a successful implementation.
2. Plan Your Intranet Structure
Planning the structure of your intranet is crucial for its usability and effectiveness. Consider the different departments, teams, and functions within your organization and create a logical hierarchy that reflects your organizational structure. This will make it easier for employees to navigate and find the information they need. Additionally, consider incorporating features such as search functionality, document management, and collaboration tools to enhance the user experience.
3. Choose the Right SharePoint Deployment Option
SharePoint offers two deployment options: on-premise and online. On-premise deployment involves hosting SharePoint on your organization’s servers, giving you complete control over the infrastructure and data. On the other hand, SharePoint Online is a cloud-based solution hosted by Microsoft, providing scalability, accessibility, and automatic updates. Consider your organization’s requirements, budget, and IT capabilities to choose the right deployment option for your intranet.
4. Customize Your Intranet Design
A visually appealing and user-friendly design is essential for engaging employees and encouraging adoption of the intranet. Customize the design of your intranet to align with your organization’s branding and create a consistent user experience. Use SharePoint’s built-in design tools or consider outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency for a more customized and professional look.
5. Leverage SharePoint’s Collaboration Features
One of the key benefits of using SharePoint for intranet development is its robust collaboration features. Take advantage of features such as document libraries, team sites, and social networking tools to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among employees. Encourage employees to contribute content, participate in discussions, and collaborate on projects to maximize the value of your intranet.
Conclusion
Creating a winning intranet development strategy requires careful planning, customization, and leveraging the features of SharePoint. By defining your objectives, planning the structure, choosing the right deployment option, customizing the design, and leveraging collaboration features, you can create an intranet that enhances communication, collaboration, and productivity within your organization. Consider outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency for expert guidance and a more tailored solution. With a well-designed and implemented intranet, your organization can reap the benefits of improved efficiency, employee engagement, and knowledge sharing.