The document discusses the importance of understanding the real problems organizations face before designing solutions, emphasizing the need for ethnographic needs analysis. It argues that typical methodologies often overlook the complexities of organizational realities, and suggests starting the process two steps earlier. Additionally, it highlights the launch of global intranet innovation awards to recognize individual contributions within the field.

1. Enterprise IA methodologies: starting two steps earlier James Robertson, Step Two Designs (jamesr@steptwo.com.au)

2. Usually we know the problem, the challenge is to design the solution

3. Within the enterprise, we often don’t fully understand the problem…

4. For example, we’re given a job to implement a call center intranet…

5. This is actually one of the main sources of information for staff …

6. … as are these documents, sitting on every desk

7. These documents were actually the big problem for staff

8. Email was the other big source of pain …

9. Enterprise IA methodologies

10. Typical IA methodology

11. Enterprise IA methodology

12. Key principles

13. Is the identified problem the symptom or the cause?

14. Our methodologies often assume that organisations work like this …

15. … whereas they are much more like this in reality

16. Enterprise needs analysis is ethnographic, focusing on activities and environments

17. You can’t deliver effective solutions to people you haven’t personally met

18. There are no shortage of problems to be solved…

19. … but the real challenge is knowing where to start

20. Let’s use nurses in a hospital as the final example…

21. Summary

22. Summary As IAs, there is a clear solution to deliver, our job is to work out the best way to deliver it Our efforts focus on determine the best design to meet the needs of users (and the business) Within the organisation, things are more complex So our methodologies need to start two steps earlier… First we conduct ethnographic ‘needs analysis’ Then we guide the approach, and target efforts

23. Intranet Innovation Awards www.steptwo.com.au/iia/ We have just launched global awards that recognise individual innovations of intranets (not sites as a whole) The awards are supported by a network of intranet-savvy organisations and individuals (including Jared Spool, Tony Byrne, Toby Ward and many more) Entries close by 15 May 2007 Get your name in lights!

24. Questions? James Robertson [email_address] Website: www.steptwo.com.au RSS feed: www.steptwo.com.au/columntwo/index.xml Visit our site for 150+ articles on intranets, usability, IA, content management and more