What Does a SharePoint Developer Job Really Entail?
Introduction
A SharePoint Developer is a professional who specializes in designing, developing, and maintaining SharePoint-based solutions. SharePoint is a web-based collaboration platform developed by Microsoft that allows organizations to create intranet sites, manage documents, and facilitate team collaboration. SharePoint Developers play a crucial role in implementing and customizing SharePoint solutions to meet the specific needs of an organization.
Responsibilities of a SharePoint Developer
SharePoint Developers have a wide range of responsibilities, including:
- Designing and developing SharePoint sites and applications
- Customizing SharePoint features and functionality
- Creating and managing SharePoint workflows
- Integrating SharePoint with other systems and applications
- Managing SharePoint permissions and security
- Providing technical support and troubleshooting
- Training end-users on SharePoint functionality
Skills Required for SharePoint Development
To excel in the role of a SharePoint Developer, certain skills are essential. These include:
- Proficiency in SharePoint development tools and technologies
- Strong knowledge of SharePoint architecture and best practices
- Experience with SharePoint customization and branding
- Understanding of SharePoint workflows and business process automation
- Knowledge of web development languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Ability to work with SharePoint APIs and web services
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Tasks Involved in SharePoint Development
SharePoint Developers are responsible for various tasks throughout the development lifecycle. Some of the key tasks involved in SharePoint development include:
- Requirements gathering: SharePoint Developers work closely with stakeholders to understand their requirements and translate them into technical specifications.
- Design and architecture: Based on the requirements, SharePoint Developers design the structure and architecture of the SharePoint solution, including site hierarchy, content types, and workflows.
- Development and customization: SharePoint Developers use SharePoint development tools and technologies to build and customize SharePoint sites and applications. This may involve creating custom web parts, workflows, and forms.
- Integration: SharePoint Developers integrate SharePoint with other systems and applications, such as CRM systems or document management systems, to ensure seamless data flow and collaboration.
- Testing and debugging: SharePoint Developers perform thorough testing and debugging to identify and fix any issues or bugs in the SharePoint solution.
- Deployment and maintenance: Once the SharePoint solution is developed, SharePoint Developers deploy it to the production environment and provide ongoing maintenance and support.
Benefits of Outsourcing SharePoint Development
Many organizations choose to outsource their SharePoint development needs to specialized agencies. Outsourcing SharePoint development offers several benefits, including:
- Access to expertise: SharePoint development agencies have a team of experienced SharePoint Developers who are well-versed in the latest tools and technologies.
- Cost savings: Outsourcing SharePoint development can be more cost-effective than hiring an in-house team, as it eliminates the need for recruitment, training, and infrastructure setup.
- Time savings: SharePoint development agencies can deliver projects faster, as they have dedicated resources and streamlined processes.
- Focus on core business: By outsourcing SharePoint development, organizations can focus on their core business activities while leaving the technical aspects to the experts.
- Scalability: SharePoint development agencies can easily scale their resources based on the project requirements, ensuring flexibility and agility.
Conclusion
A SharePoint Developer plays a crucial role in designing, developing, and maintaining SharePoint-based solutions. They are responsible for customizing SharePoint features, integrating SharePoint with other systems, and providing technical support. To excel in this role, SharePoint Developers need to have a strong understanding of SharePoint architecture, proficiency in SharePoint development tools, and excellent problem-solving skills. Organizations can benefit from outsourcing SharePoint development to specialized agencies, as it provides access to expertise, cost savings, and scalability.