So you're sponsoring the Intranet project? Good work - you have an opportunity to really make a difference to an under-utilised and potentially hugely valuable tool that is already used by most of the company on a daily basis.
But what's that? You have heard that being obstructive, dis-engaged and difficult is 'bang on trend'? All you really want to do is shout a bit and enjoy some authority?Heres 10 tips on how to do that with style…
1. Forget setting objectives Why should you have to justify yourself? Skip objectives and jump straight into the solution. Your opinion is all that counts
Draw a picture and insist "I want one of these!" After all, you know better than some designer or user experience 'expert', and requirements are for people with too much time. You're a visionary!
3. Don't listen to end users If everyone thought and acted like you, the company would be a huge success. So design the intranet for you, everyone will start to think and behave the way you do, right?
4. Set arbitrary goals and measures for the project When are you next meeting the CEO? Set the project deadline for a week before then
6. Ensure that your budget is slightly smaller than your ambition and employee expectations ... because hearing employees say "is that it?" is the finest measure of success there is
Make it a big fun surprise - watch everyones smiling face on launch day when they get in one day to find that everything they knew and understood has been changed.
Keep it under wraps but whip up excitement before launch by publicising how great it is. In this way, you can maximise user disappointment when they get to see the thing.
7. you don't want to be burdened with decisions so Set up a committee of people, ideally all with very different views and objectives. For near-guaranteed failure, ensure this committee is made up of people who would like to own this project themselves
Ban the project wash-up there's absolutely no point in closing out the project with another dull meeting. Project wash-ups are for time wasting idiots. Nope. There were no lessons learnt, because it all went to plan
Never, ever, ever, compromise - on anything Changing your launch date, upping your budget, accepting some features or requirements won't be met are all failures and accepting you got something wrong is a sign of weakness. Never compromise, plow on regardless
OK -A short note for people void of a sense of irony While all of the above will increase the chancing of failing, we really advise that if you are sponsoring an intranet project, you try not to do any of the above.
The intranet is used by so many parts of the organisation, for so many differing purposes, so it's nearly impossible to please everyone. It's very likely that no matter what you do, your project will be seen as a failure by some part of the organisation.
Project sponsors mean well - they have taken on a job with very high visibility and a disproportionally small perceived value. If your project sponsor looks like they are following any of the tips we just went through - help them be better.
So how can you ,As an intranet manager, make the job of sponsor easier?Alignment and direction are key – and these are things you can do now – before the next project has even been conceived
Alignment: All business stakeholders in agreement on core principles for your intranetThe appropriate balance for your business between communication, collaboration and transaction. What is your intranet there to do? What is it for?
Direction: Ensure that your intranet has a long range plan and that everyone sticks to itDigital roadmap to ensure that your intranet meets for future business needs.
Clearly mapping out how delivering the intranet strategy is aligned to their business goals and the wants of their stakeholders should make them care.
Like almost all aspects of intranet management, this isn’t something you can agree at the outset and not look at again; it’s something which should be reviewed regularly, changing as your business focus does. But by putting strong alignment and clear direction at the heart of your intranet management, you’re in a strong position to make your intranet a success.
