How to develop a strategy for SharePoint

Recently I posted on how to develop an intranet strategy and how to develop a digital workplace strategy.  I now want to cover SharePoint because it is used by so many organisations.  I have covered in earlier post if SharePoint is good or bad and what organisations need to do to help decide if it is.

This post focuses on a strategy for using SharePoint.  Note it is NOT a SharePoint strategy!  This is a mistake organisations have made and it can have serious consequences.  A strategy for SharePoint needs to consider far more than just implementing technology:

1. Be afraid, very afraid, of implementing SharePoint without a clear set of business requirements.  Make sure SharePoint is the best match for these requirements.
2. Have clear priorities for what SharePoint needs to help with first.  Without these how will you know what can requirements can be met first or have the biggest impact on your organisation?
3. Make sure you have a robust governance framework in place before you start using SharePoint.  You will need it!  I find it is the most common reason for causing problems.
4. Make sure you also have a clear structure, an information architecture, that is logical and predictable for people using SharePoint to find what they need.
5. Consider the culture and wider behaviour that exists across your organisation before you start using SharePoint.  They need to fit so the features can be used to their full benefit.

There are some key principles which you can apply to help you create a strategy for SharePoint to be good for your organisation.  Find out more information about how to develop a strategy for SharePoint.