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 Edwards1

2. SharePoint is a strategic business oriented platform withpre-built sets of functionality that enable faster and less expensive creation of business solutions© Hank Edwards2The 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 Edwards3Some are intimidated by the depth and breadth of SharePoint and therefore do not know where to begin.

4. Successful, Measurable, Sustainable © Hank Edwards4We want the implementation to be Successful, the benefits measurable and the results sustainable.

5. Four Steps to Success© Hank Edwards5We will go over four steps to ensure that you have a strategic implementation of SharePoint.

6. Four Steps to Success6© Hank EdwardsAlign StrategicallyWhere is the pain?Bang for the BuckFlawless Execution

7. Align Strategically© Hank Edwards7The project and the platform must be aligned strategically and be managed as such.

8. Business StrategyAlign Strategically© Hank Edwards8Determine how the project and platform will positively impact the business strategy.

9. IT Strategic FitAlign Strategically© Hank Edwards9Is 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 ImpactAlign Strategically© Hank Edwards10You must be able to define the measurable business impact and benefit.

11. Where Is The Pain?© Hank Edwards11Where do you start? Start with the greatest pain.

12. Where Are You Falling Short?Where is the pain?© Hank Edwards12Which 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 Edwards13How many times have you heard from the user community “If Only I Could…”?.

14. Shadow ITWhere is the pain?© Hank Edwards14Many of the “Shadow IT” projects can be implemented by the businesses within the SharePoint platform.

15. It Takes Too Much TimeWhere is the pain?© Hank Edwards15Identify the processes that now take too much time and can be improved.

16. Bang For The Buck© Hank Edwards16Now 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 FruitBang For The Buck© Hank Edwards17Pick those opportunities that can be easily implemented in SharePoint and that provide the biggest business benefit.

18. FocusBang For The Buck© Hank Edwards18Stay focused and do not try to do too many things. Get something up and running within 90 days!

19. Bang For The Buck© Hank Edwards19The PlanPrioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize.

20. Flawless Execution© Hank Edwards20The best planned project does not provide the best business benefits unless it is flawlessly executed.

21. Change ManagementFlawless Execution© Hank Edwards21Change management is more important in a SharePoint implementation because the way people do their work can be dramatically changed.

22. Phases© Hank Edwards22Flawless ExecutionImplement in phases to showcase the functionality and manage the scope.

23. Cultural InfusionFlawless Execution© Hank Edwards23Once others see the benefits, they will want to implement SharePoint for their function as well.

24. User Involvement Is ParamountFlawless Execution© Hank Edwards24Keep users involved at every step of the project. Acceptance increases with increasing user involvement. A= x(UI).

25. GovernanceFlawless Execution© Hank Edwards25Governance is critical in defining how SharePoint will be used, deployed, secured and managed.

26. Validate The SuccessFlawless Execution© Hank Edwards26Make sure you document and communicate the successes and business benefits.

27. Recap© Hank Edwards27So to recap….

28. Four Steps to SuccessAlign StrategicallyWhere is the pain?Bang for the BuckFlawless Execution28© Hank EdwardsThese are the four steps to a successful and strategic implementation of SharePoint.

29. In The End© Hank Edwards29When all four steps are done properly, then the puzzle comes together with measurable and sustainable business benefits.

30. 30© Hank Edwards

31. References31© Hank Edwards Murphy, T (2002) “Achieving Business Value from Technology”

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

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

34. Heath, C (2010) “Switch How To Change Things When Change Is Hard”Hank Edwards32© Hank EdwardsHank has served as the CIO for several Atlanta based international firms

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.comPhone: 678-467-9259Twitter: @hankedwards

37. 33© Hank EdwardsAbel Solutions OverviewAbel Solutions employs innovative technology to increase the productivity of businesses by making the right information available to the right people at the right time.

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.