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98 TOOLKIT BUILD A BRILLIANT INTRANETS BRILLIANT
intranet
Create a credible, useful and preferred resource for information and collaboration
If it doesn’t get used – reinvent it. An intranet should be set up to ease information overload, bring the
big picture to all employees and speed decision-making. See it as essential piece of the
communication infrastructure. Crucially, the intranet needs to be defined as business critical from the
outset — not as a technological experiment. It needs to be maintained and continually enhanced to
integrate new technologies. Find out what people will use the intranet for and what the business
needs them to use it for rather than want they want from it.
It’s easier to lay the foundation before the house is built. You need to capture the people and
processes already using best practice, then involve them in the new intranet design. First establish a
cross-functional “Intranet Strategy Team” to oversee the intranet development and work with an
intranet communication specialist to plan the program. There are some great technology tools
available to help but build the foundations right first.
Divide your intranet evolution into four areas:
ü technology infrastructure
ü content management
ü designing the user experience
ü updating to maintain the currency of information
1. Simplify and overhaul - a simplified content management system for business units launching
new content/sites, in order to unify user experience and provide a distinctive editorial style for
the entire intranet.
2. The intranet challenge – First define a good user experience and understand what each of the
site owners would require. Give the site a personality that enhances your brand.
3. Provide accessible information – As first base create a useful, reliable intranet for everyday use
so users can find information easily. Design it to enhance employee productivity, reinforce
corporate messages and provide space for employees to connect. Do not let it become a dumping
ground for information.
4. The value of workshops - Workshop groups should be asked to describe the current intranet ,
how it could be more audience centered and what tasks they feel they would use.
intranet
Create a credible, useful and preferred resource for information and collaboration
If it doesn’t get used – reinvent it. An intranet should be set up to ease information overload, bring the
big picture to all employees and speed decision-making. See it as essential piece of the
communication infrastructure. Crucially, the intranet needs to be defined as business critical from the
outset — not as a technological experiment. It needs to be maintained and continually enhanced to
integrate new technologies. Find out what people will use the intranet for and what the business
needs them to use it for rather than want they want from it.
It’s easier to lay the foundation before the house is built. You need to capture the people and
processes already using best practice, then involve them in the new intranet design. First establish a
cross-functional “Intranet Strategy Team” to oversee the intranet development and work with an
intranet communication specialist to plan the program. There are some great technology tools
available to help but build the foundations right first.
Divide your intranet evolution into four areas:
ü technology infrastructure
ü content management
ü designing the user experience
ü updating to maintain the currency of information
1. Simplify and overhaul - a simplified content management system for business units launching
new content/sites, in order to unify user experience and provide a distinctive editorial style for
the entire intranet.
2. The intranet challenge – First define a good user experience and understand what each of the
site owners would require. Give the site a personality that enhances your brand.
3. Provide accessible information – As first base create a useful, reliable intranet for everyday use
so users can find information easily. Design it to enhance employee productivity, reinforce
corporate messages and provide space for employees to connect. Do not let it become a dumping
ground for information.
4. The value of workshops - Workshop groups should be asked to describe the current intranet ,
how it could be more audience centered and what tasks they feel they would use.
