pTools - Intranet Simple
Jan 17, 2011We've done a lot of work and a lot of research on Intranets. There are different opinions on what works and what doesn’t.
At one end of the spectrum there's the intranet that is a direct descendent of the pre-existing network with all the same headaches and roadblocks on getting to what you need quickly and easily. At the other end of the spectrum there's the intranet that's a direct descendent of the web with lots of stuff on, the weather and the customer charter but still nothing on what actually happens in the business.
I've even seen companies with two intranets, son of network and son of web happily moving along in opposite directions with a big piece in the middle which, no misandry intended, might be called daughter of common sense!
What we know from experience is that intranets work when they are simple, when they deliver what's expected by staff, and when the process of further development is consistent. Anything else is a bonus and unless it’s simple, self evident, and consistent it won't help the business.
By simple we mean for example: the search works; the policy/product docs are all there and up to date; the latest statements from the CEO to the press are there first; the time and task tools don't require additional logins; and the expert information systems are seamlessly linked in.
By what's expected we mean: the menu structure reflects the real day-to-day activity and not the mythical org chart; what resources there are, are maintained and up to date and single source so there's nothing there that's in effect worse than useless; everyone in the organisation has access to what affects them and a profile they can maintain; time and task tools are up-front and visible: and relevant forms exist, really.
By consistent development we mean: slower more iterative change; application features that really make a difference; and a commitment to usability that builds and builds confidence in the system.
However all too often the intranet becomes a test bed for the 57 feature applications that come out of the box on the CMS. That would be 57 (CMS) channels then, and nothing on...
Take it away Bruce; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5scpDev1qps
Tom Skinner is Managing Director / CEO of pTools Software. Before joining pTools he worked with LG Electronics and the Irish Board of Trade in product development. Tom's work with pTools ranges from business management to sales as well as working closely with the new product development team. He helped design, develop and deploy the very first pTools CMS solutions in 1997 and has worked on every phase of company and product development since. Married with two children he lives in Dublin.
