Key Steps in Staff Intranet Development

Introduction

Staff intranets have become an essential tool for organizations to improve communication, collaboration, and productivity among their employees. A well-designed and developed intranet can provide a centralized platform for sharing information, accessing resources, and connecting with colleagues.

Step 1: Define Objectives and Requirements

The first step in staff intranet development is to clearly define the objectives and requirements of the intranet. This involves identifying the specific goals and outcomes the organization wants to achieve through the intranet. It is important to involve key stakeholders from different departments to ensure that the intranet meets the needs of the entire organization.

Step 2: Choose the Right Platform

One of the key decisions in staff intranet development is choosing the right platform. SharePoint is a popular choice for intranet development due to its robust features and flexibility. Organizations can choose between SharePoint on-premise or SharePoint online, depending on their specific requirements and budget. It is also possible to outsource SharePoint development to a specialized agency for custom development and managed services.

Step 3: Design the Intranet

The design of the intranet plays a crucial role in its usability and effectiveness. It should be visually appealing, intuitive to navigate, and reflect the organization’s branding and culture. The design should also take into consideration the different devices and screen sizes that employees may use to access the intranet. Collaborating with a professional intranet design agency can help ensure a user-friendly and visually appealing design.

Step 4: Develop and Customize the Intranet

Once the objectives, requirements, and design are finalized, the next step is to develop and customize the intranet. This involves creating the necessary site structure, setting up permissions and security, and integrating relevant features and functionalities. SharePoint provides a wide range of customization options, allowing organizations to tailor the intranet to their specific needs. Custom SharePoint development may be required for more complex requirements.

Step 5: Test and Launch

Before launching the intranet to all employees, it is important to thoroughly test its functionality and usability. This includes testing different features, workflows, and user scenarios to ensure everything works as intended. User feedback should also be collected and incorporated into the final version of the intranet. Once all testing and refinements are complete, the intranet can be officially launched to the staff.

Conclusion

Developing a staff intranet requires careful planning, design, and development. By following the key steps outlined in this article, organizations can create an effective and user-friendly intranet that enhances communication, collaboration, and productivity among their employees.