What are the biggest challenges of working in intranet strategy?

1 Aligning with business goals

One of the first challenges of working in intranet strategy is to align the intranet with the business goals and vision of the organization. The intranet should not be a separate entity, but a tool that supports the strategic objectives and values of the organization. To achieve this, you need to conduct a thorough analysis of the business needs, stakeholder expectations, user requirements, and existing intranet performance. You also need to communicate clearly and regularly with the senior management, sponsors, and champions of the intranet project, and demonstrate how the intranet can deliver value and impact.

2 Engaging users

Another challenge of working in intranet strategy is to engage users and encourage them to adopt and use the intranet. The intranet should not be a static or boring platform, but a dynamic and interactive one that meets the needs and preferences of the users. To achieve this, you need to involve users in the design and development process, solicit their feedback and suggestions, and create user personas and scenarios. You also need to provide relevant and useful content, features, and functionalities that address the user pain points and goals. Moreover, you need to promote and market the intranet, and provide training and support to the users.

3 Managing content

A third challenge of working in intranet strategy is to manage the content of the intranet. The intranet should not be a cluttered or outdated repository, but a well-organized and updated source of information and knowledge. To achieve this, you need to establish a content strategy, governance, and lifecycle that define the purpose, scope, quality, and maintenance of the content. You also need to implement content standards, guidelines, and best practices that ensure the consistency, accuracy, and relevance of the content. Furthermore, you need to monitor and measure the content performance, and make improvements based on data and feedback.

4 Integrating systems

A fourth challenge of working in intranet strategy is to integrate the intranet with other systems and platforms that the organization uses. The intranet should not be a siloed or isolated network, but a connected and integrated one that enhances the user experience and efficiency. To achieve this, you need to identify the key systems and platforms that the users need to access and interact with, such as email, social media, CRM, ERP, etc. You also need to evaluate the technical feasibility, compatibility, and security of the integration options, and choose the best solution for your intranet. Additionally, you need to test and troubleshoot the integration functionality, and ensure its reliability and usability.

5 Adapting to change

A fifth challenge of working in intranet strategy is to adapt to the changing needs and expectations of the organization and the users. The intranet should not be a fixed or final product, but a flexible and evolving one that responds to the internal and external environment. To achieve this, you need to adopt a user-centric and agile approach to intranet strategy, and be ready to iterate and innovate. You also need to keep abreast of the latest trends and technologies that can enhance the intranet, and experiment with new ideas and features. Moreover, you need to collect and analyze data and feedback, and use them to inform your intranet strategy decisions and actions.

6 Collaborating with others

A sixth challenge of working in intranet strategy is to collaborate with others who are involved or affected by the intranet. The intranet should not be a solo or exclusive project, but a collaborative and inclusive one that benefits from the diverse perspectives and expertise of the organization. To achieve this, you need to build and maintain a cross-functional and multidisciplinary intranet team, and assign clear roles and responsibilities. You also need to foster a culture of trust, respect, and cooperation among the team members, and use effective communication and collaboration tools and methods. Furthermore, you need to engage and consult with other stakeholders, such as users, managers, IT, HR, etc., and address their concerns and expectations.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?