The document outlines a four step approach to the strategic implementation of SharePoint: 1) Align strategically by determining business strategy and IT strategic fit, and ensuring measurable business impact; 2) Identify areas of greatest pain or inefficiency; 3) Select opportunities that provide the biggest return on investment; 4) Ensure flawless execution through change management, phased implementation, user involvement and governance. The goal is to implement SharePoint strategically to enable faster business improvement and realize measurable, sustainable benefits.

1. The Strategic Implementation of SharePoint © Hank Edwards 1

2. SharePoint is a strategic business oriented platform withpre-built sets of functionality that enable faster and less expensive creation of business solutions © Hank Edwards 2 The goal is to implement SharePoint not as a tool, but as a Strategic platform to enable faster realization of business improvement.

3. Broad and Deep © Hank Edwards 3 Some are intimidated by the depth and breadth of SharePoint and therefore do not know where to begin.

4. Successful, Measurable, Sustainable © Hank Edwards 4 We want the implementation to be Successful, the benefits measurable and the results sustainable.

5. Four Steps to Success © Hank Edwards 5 We will go over four steps to ensure that you have a strategic implementation of SharePoint.

6. Four Steps to Success 6 © Hank Edwards Align Strategically Where is the pain? Bang for the Buck Flawless Execution

7. Align Strategically © Hank Edwards 7 The project and the platform must be aligned strategically and be managed as such.

8. Business Strategy Align Strategically © Hank Edwards 8 Determine how the project and platform will positively impact the business strategy.

9. IT Strategic Fit Align Strategically © Hank Edwards 9 Is SharePoint a project or a pillar of the IT strategy? Many organizations make SharePoint as a pillar along with ERP and CRM.

10. Measureable Business Impact Align Strategically © Hank Edwards 10 You must be able to define the measurable business impact and benefit.

11. Where Is The Pain? © Hank Edwards 11 Where do you start? Start with the greatest pain.

12. Where Are You Falling Short? Where is the pain? © Hank Edwards 12 Which business processes are falling short of their potential and can be immediately improved through SharePoint?

13. If Only I Could??? Where is the pain? © Hank Edwards 13 How many times have you heard from the user community “If Only I Could…”?.

14. Shadow IT Where is the pain? © Hank Edwards 14 Many of the “Shadow IT” projects can be implemented by the businesses within the SharePoint platform.

15. It Takes Too Much Time Where is the pain? © Hank Edwards 15 Identify the processes that now take too much time and can be improved.

16. Bang For The Buck © Hank Edwards 16 Now that the opportunities have been defined, how do we pick the best one? Obviously, go for the biggest Bank for the Buck.

17. Low Hanging Fruit Bang For The Buck © Hank Edwards 17 Pick those opportunities that can be easily implemented in SharePoint and that provide the biggest business benefit.

18. Focus Bang For The Buck © Hank Edwards 18 Stay focused and do not try to do too many things. Get something up and running within 90 days!

19. Bang For The Buck © Hank Edwards 19 The Plan Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize.

20. Flawless Execution © Hank Edwards 20 The best planned project does not provide the best business benefits unless it is flawlessly executed.

21. Change Management Flawless Execution © Hank Edwards 21 Change management is more important in a SharePoint implementation because the way people do their work can be dramatically changed.

22. Phases © Hank Edwards 22 Flawless Execution Implement in phases to showcase the functionality and manage the scope.

23. Cultural Infusion Flawless Execution © Hank Edwards 23 Once others see the benefits, they will want to implement SharePoint for their function as well.

24. User Involvement Is Paramount Flawless Execution © Hank Edwards 24 Keep users involved at every step of the project. Acceptance increases with increasing user involvement. A= x(UI).

25. Governance Flawless Execution © Hank Edwards 25 Governance is critical in defining how SharePoint will be used, deployed, secured and managed.

26. Validate The Success Flawless Execution © Hank Edwards 26 Make sure you document and communicate the successes and business benefits.

27. Recap © Hank Edwards 27 So to recap….

28. Four Steps to Success Align Strategically Where is the pain? Bang for the Buck Flawless Execution 28 © Hank Edwards These are the four steps to a successful and strategic implementation of SharePoint.

29. In The End © Hank Edwards 29 When all four steps are done properly, then the puzzle comes together with measurable and sustainable business benefits.

30. 30 © Hank Edwards

32. Atkinson, C (2008) “beyond bullet points”

33. Currey, B (2008) “Microsoft Office SharePoint Server Best Practices”

35. Hank is a SharePoint strategy consultant with Abel Solutions, Inc.

36. Abel Solutions, Inc. is the premier SharePoint consultancy group in the Atlanta area.hedwards@abelsolutions.com Phone: 678-467-9259 Twitter: @hankedwards

38. Service specialization

39. Information Worker (IW) and Collaborative Solutions based on Microsoft SharePoint technologies.

40. Business Process Automation Solutions based on Microsoft .NET Framework.