Staff Intranet Development: A Guide to Enhancing Internal Communication
Introduction
Effective internal communication is crucial for the success of any organization. It ensures that employees are well-informed, engaged, and aligned with the company’s goals and objectives. One of the most effective ways to enhance internal communication is through the development of a staff intranet. In this guide, we will explore the importance of staff intranet development and provide a step-by-step guide on how to design and develop a custom SharePoint intranet.
The Importance of Staff Intranet Development
A staff intranet serves as a centralized hub for all internal communication within an organization. It provides employees with easy access to important information, documents, and resources, regardless of their location or department. Here are some key benefits of staff intranet development:
- Improved communication and collaboration among employees
- Increased productivity and efficiency
- Streamlined access to information and resources
- Enhanced employee engagement and satisfaction
- Facilitates knowledge sharing and learning
Designing and Developing a Custom SharePoint Intranet
SharePoint is a powerful platform that can be used to develop a custom staff intranet. Here are the steps involved in designing and developing a SharePoint intranet:
Step 1: Define Objectives and Requirements
Before starting the development process, it is important to clearly define the objectives and requirements of your staff intranet. Identify the key features and functionalities that are essential for your organization.
Step 2: Plan the Information Architecture
The information architecture of your intranet determines how information is organized and accessed. Plan the structure of your intranet, including the navigation, site hierarchy, and content categorization.
Step 3: Customize the Look and Feel
Customize the look and feel of your intranet to align with your organization’s branding and design guidelines. This includes choosing a theme, adding a logo, and selecting color schemes.
Step 4: Develop and Configure Sites
Develop and configure the sites within your intranet based on the defined information architecture. This includes creating team sites, department sites, and project sites, and configuring permissions and access rights.
Step 5: Add Essential Features and Functionalities
Add essential features and functionalities to your intranet to enhance its usability and effectiveness. This may include document management, task tracking, discussion boards, employee directories, and social collaboration tools.
Step 6: Test and Launch
Thoroughly test your intranet to ensure that all features and functionalities are working as intended. Once testing is complete, launch your intranet and communicate its availability to all employees.
Outsourcing SharePoint Development
Developing a custom SharePoint intranet can be a complex and time-consuming process. Many organizations choose to outsource SharePoint development to a specialized agency. Here are some benefits of outsourcing SharePoint development:
- Access to expertise and experience in SharePoint development
- Cost savings compared to hiring an in-house development team
- Time savings, allowing your organization to focus on core business activities
- Flexible and scalable solutions tailored to your organization’s needs
- Ongoing support and maintenance services
Conclusion
A staff intranet is a valuable tool for enhancing internal communication within an organization. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can design and develop a custom SharePoint intranet that meets the unique needs of your organization. Consider outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency to ensure a successful and efficient implementation.