When I first got involved in 1996 with intranets people could only access them from their desktop PCs at their normal place of work. The pages of content were hosted on a server probably in the same room or building they worked in. What was on offer was limited to news, policies and some tools e.g. People directory.
Haven’t things changed a lot since then as we move towards 2015!
Intranets are transforming into digital workplaces offering people an amazing choice in information and applications and wider use e.g. you can collaborate with people in different locations, share and rate content and complete processes online. You can access your intranet or digital workplace from any device e.g. smartphone, tablet and laptop from any place using wi-fi, etc., and at any time with data centres operating 24/7.
What does this mean for 2015? Here are my predictions.
1. Take the right direction
Intranets are now at a jumping off point to become digital workplaces. You need to make sure you take the right direction and invest in the right technologies, skills, and resources. In 2015 good digital workplaces will be created because there is a plan supported by a clear strategy. Your plan, based on agreed business requirements, will have prioritise actions, and stakeholder support. These are essential to have a digital workplace that supports your organisation.
2. consistently good experience
People will need to access your content and applications from any device, any time and from any place even more in 2015. Their experience needs to be consistently good every time with publishing standards within a governance framework applied to make this happen to all content and apps. People will then be familiar with what they access no matter what device they use. Good publishing standards will mean productivity gains will be achieved as people avoid stalling while they check before they use anything.
3. know where everything is
More organisations will consider moving to the cloud in 2015. But you need to manage this well to make this successful. You a good governance framework to manage all the content and applications, with an information architecture that has the same scope and approach. It’s no good trying to manage your content, etc., if you don’t where it is! And if you don’t know, how can people find what they need for their work? Plan the structure of your digital workplace to harmonise with your governance framework before you start.
4. show you are worth it
With the global economic climate unlikely to improve greatly in 2015, organisations will demand greater justification for any improvements you plan. You need to demonstrate the benefits your digital workplace can provide. Having a strategy, governance framework, and information architecture will indicate you do support your organisation’s goals. However, to show the full benefits you will need to look beyond traditional financial ‘ROI’ to wider benefits that also help your organisation. If you can do this, and you will have the resources you need in 2015.
Have you made any plans? Good luck and have a great 2015!
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