There are numerous examples of SharePoint setups that have either completely failed or have been implemented in a way that makes them very difficult, even impossible to use. Reasons behind these are many and varied, however this pattern of reasons keeps emerging repeatedly.

Adequate analysis and proper information architecture

Information architecture is crucial. This is where our experience counts. Proper analysis and understanding your business and processes is the only way to implement a usable solution. It all starts from here.

Keeping it simple

If new processes are too complicated to adhere to – they won’t be used. It is that simple. Our approach is to maintain this rule for the life of the system!

No user training and buy-in

Although very intuitive, self-explanatory and easy to use, SharePoint systems do require slight shift in thinking and a touch of discipline. Nothing too radical. All it needs is just a little help for the users to understand and genuinely believe in the benefits it brings. And SharePoint makes this easy: a proper implementation makes it very obvious that a step done upfront brings great benefits down the track.

Keeping it up to date

Once implemented, SharePoint needs very little maintenance. However, there are always new people, new processes, new projects, new departments, restructures and privileges granted and revoked. As your business changes, your SharePoint system must cater for these changes. Depending on the complexity of these changes, DECODE IT may train one of your staff to perform these tasks or simply we can do it for you.

Governance

Governance is very important for keeping things under control. As long as the users adhere to a few very simple principles, the system will deliver in both the short and long term.

Long term vision

Businesses change. Business processes change even more, and more rapidly. Change is very frequent in today’s business environments and your system should not become a legacy after your next business change.