Go to page: 1 2 3  Printer Friendly Version

Step 4: Make things findable

Why? If people can't find stuff on your intranet quickly, they'll stop using it.

How? Support multiple methods to find content. Implement an excellent search, an intuitive navigation structure, and tagging (keywording's cool younger brother).

An effective combination of intuitive navigation and thorough tagging was employed on an extranet for primary care physicians in Vancouver, Canada. For example, to find a lab requisition, a physician can navigate by lab location, condition type, or requisition type. The tags help surface the same lab form in multiple, logical locations. Or they can search. "[Our extranet] is like a medically oriented, locally resourced, primary-care Google," said one physician.

The physician extranet "PC Central" combines search, hierarchy and tagging
to provide multiple navigation paths to content.

Step 5: Send signals when content changes

Why? When you send signals, it brings people back to the intranet. It keeps conversations flowing; it keeps content fresh.

How? When a page is added, edited, or commented on, send a signal to interested parties via email or via RSS feeds.

Screenshot of a signal sent via email.

Step 6: Provide scaffolding: a framework to support new content

Why? Some organizations deploy a blank wiki as their Intranet 2.0, but it's really tough to start with a blank slate. Users need some sort of framework in place to guide content creation. The more scaffolding you provide, the better: it's easier for users to edit something that's there than to create from scratch.

How? Get an information architect to help define the initial structure of your new intranet. For smaller companies, it could be as easy as defining the top level or two of your navigation. Maybe something like this:

Home

People

How-To

News

Projects

Tools & Links

Why? Again, it's really tough to start with a blank slate. Populating content before launch creates initial value, providing a reason for users to visit. That content will also serve as a design pattern, causing other users to imitate what they see.

How? Get 5 or 10 people with their computers together in a boardroom. Lock the door, order pizza, and create or migrate content for a day or two.

Go to page: 1 2 3  Printer Friendly Version