It makes sense that communication should take place throughout the project, but it can be difficult to determine what to say. We have concluded based on our experience and on research into the subject that certain messages encourage adoption more than others.
Messaging should focus on usefulness and ease of use of the system. These primary indicators of adoption are driven by secondary indicators, including how users view themselves.
Those who perceive themselves as technologically savvy are more likely to use an intranet, so you should continually send the message that if a user knows how to use a web browser, he or she will feel comfortable with SharePoint.
Additionally, workers are more likely to share knowledge if they feel they own it, so send the message that the information inside of their heads is unique and valuable to others, and that SharePoint will give them an opportunity to share it.
Lastly, perceived management support for the project is critical for adoption. IT leadership should recruit other executives early to support the project and try to convince detractors to keep their opinions to themselves for the time being. Communication should stress that management is supportive of the project. Having an executive pen an email voicing his support is helpful.
Our team regularly works with our project sponsors to come up with our communication plan. We identify fun and creative ways to keep people informed about the project. We go beyond the normal email blasts by creating posters and flyers with helpful info, catchy taglines, and attractive graphics.
Before you implement a new SharePoint site, you should ask yourself the following questions:
• Does the project team have a communication plan in place that identifies the methods of communication and the messages that will be sent?
• Are there influential detractors among company leadership, and do you have a plan to minimize the negative impact they might have on adoption?
You will receive an email with the next lesson in your inbox tomorrow.
Don't want to wait?
Our relationship with our clients often begins when they notice something that they’re not quite happy with within their SharePoint environment. Maybe it’s slow performance, or maybe things have gotten a little bit out of control with the number of sites, subsites, or the way documents have been stored. We can help figure out how to maintain your ROI, how to increase user adoption, and figure out what’s wrong with your SharePoint environment.
We believe that a rich work life involves a minimum of fear, frustration, and repetition, so we work hard to enable our clients with:
Our mission is to take as much of the risk out of large software projects for our customers as possible. We finish our projects on time, on budget, and make sure your users receive training and support.
No matter what we do, we engage with clients in a way that is open, collaborative, and enjoyable. Our clients say their Entrance projects are Smart + Fun.
