Navigating the SharePoint Landscape: A Guide to Taming the Clutter

In the ever-expanding world of SharePoint, the persistent challenge of clutter is a familiar adversary. As administrators, C-level executives, and management, we bear witness to the consequences of inadequate planning, misaligned content structures, and suboptimal navigation strategies. To reclaim order and elevate the SharePoint experience, it's time to embark on a comprehensive cleanup mission.

Understanding the Clutter Conundrum

Businesses grapple with clutter daily, a direct result of haphazard content planning and tool utilization. From Power BI to Power Apps and Power Automate, the mishandling of apps and tools contributes to the disorder. Lists, libraries, and metadata, when not appropriately organized, become breeding grounds for confusion.

Separation as a Solution

The key lies in separating content sensibly and leveraging components judiciously. Full sites dedicated to a single app, and mixed content lacking cohesion – are symptoms of a deeper issue. The content organization demands meticulous planning to ensure clarity and ease of understanding.

The Navigation Dilemma

Navigation often takes a back seat, resulting in a mishmash of links with no discernible purpose. Why mix levels of content without prioritizing importance? The lack of a thoughtful navigation strategy hampers user experience and undermines the potential of SharePoint.

Lessons from the Best: InTouch

As an example of excellence, the company InTouch serves as an exemplary model, where planning is not just a phase but a guiding principle. I had the pleasure to work for them as a Power Platform Developer for 8 months and their SharePoint environment impressed me. From easy content discovery to streamlined navigation, every component and development decision was meticulously premeditated. The implementation, spanning from content retention to deletion, set a benchmark for SharePoint excellence.

The Cloud Settlement and Cleanup Call

As we settle into the cloud, it's an opportune moment for reflection and cleanup. The transition brought us to new heights, but now it's time to tidy up. Our brains must be engaged to eliminate unnecessary files, maintain lean storage, and tag content appropriately for effortless navigation.

Admins, Leaders, and C-Level: The Vanguard of Change

Admins, leaders, and C-level executives, it's our responsibility to manage resources wisely. We must share our tried-and-tested processes, avoiding the repetition of past development mistakes. Collaboratively, we can sculpt SharePoint environments that transcend clutter and inefficiency.

The Road Ahead: Strategies for a Leaner, User-Friendly SharePoint

1. Thorough Planning: Begin with meticulous planning for apps, content, and navigation.
2. Component Separation: Separate content logically and leverage components thoughtfully.
3. Strategic Navigation: Devise a navigation strategy that prioritizes user needs and content importance.
4. Learn from the Best: Emulate success stories like InTouch for inspiration and guidance.
5. Cloud Cleanup: Capitalize on the cloud settlement phase for a comprehensive cleanup operation.
6. Smart Resource Management: Admins, leaders, and C-level, manage resources wisely and share successful processes.

Together, let's usher in an era of refined SharePoint environments, where clutter is tamed, navigation is intuitive, and content is a beacon of clarity. The journey starts now.