Increasing SharePoint User Adoption

I work with SharePoint everyday. I find documents I need, look at my calendars, input time, and review notes from client accounts. SharePoint does all of this. For many companies, they want the aforementioned capabilities, and more. One can assume that user adoption is as easy as putting someone in front of a computer and telling them we're using that software. "Go ahead, it's intuitive and you'll get it. You can put documents there and collaborate with your colleagues." So, You've just spent thousands of dollars implementing this software platform and you think a portion of that money automatically translates to immediate adoption? That works for approximately...NO ONE! Even if it's the easiest software of all time, you still need a plan to train your employees and have a clear vision for what SharePoint will accomplish for your company. Here are a few tips to get started:

CAMPAIGN FOR USER ADOPTION: Sit down with your team and figure out a time frame with specific target dates (i.e. In 4 months we want 'x' number of daily users). Then, communicate those goals and dates to the company. You know your company and you know how your colleagues work. Get creative and build a plan to make employees feel good about your SharePoint environment.

KNOW THE END-USER: Your end users need to get their work done efficiently ( answer emails, find information and get tasks completed). Think like an end user (i.e. What does Tom in Marketing need that SharePoint can provide? What are his pain points?). People want tools that make work easier and if they understand how SharePoint will enable them to work more efficiently, they’ll be very happy to oblige and learn. Know how to help end-users with questions related to specific tasks. You can give them a rock-star speech about how SharePoint will make working better, but unless you make it about them, they won't care.

START FROM THE TOP: Understand that your employees need direction. People don't normally assume which tasks needs to be completed and when (unless you're the boss). Make sure that your high-level executives and leaders are on-board with your SharePoint environment. They need to be seen using SharePoint so that subordinates understand its importance.

TARGETED TRAINING: Training sessions are a necessary evil to any successful software implementation. If you want your employees to successfully use SharePoint, training sessions need to be targeted for the end user and each department. Each department will use SharePoint differently, and that's OK.  Show them how your company's SharePoint platform can be used in their day to day work and give them specific examples so they can see what SharePoint can do for them. Whatever you do, stay away from anything generic.

Wash, rinse, repeat. Stay on target with training and get excited about SharePoint. Talk about it with different departments and make sure they continue to follow training. It makes a significant difference and users will understand its significance once they understand how it applies to their job roles.

For more information, email [email protected] or call at (310) 694.3844 ext. 7050.

6th Street Consulting, the 2013 Global Microsoft Partner of the Year Winner for Collaboration & Content, is a strategy and technology consulting firm located in Redondo Beach, California. With 6SC's SharePoint Deployment Planning Services (SDPS), we can work with you to assess your business goals, identify and mitigate project risk, and develop an effective roadmap for implementing a SharePoint solution that meets the needs of your end users. 6SC is focused on delivering cutting edge business solutions with Microsoft SharePoint, offering methods of increasing productivity and lowering overheads costs with innovative cloud solutions. For more information please visit 6sc.com