Intranet Design Best Practices To Create an Engaging Digital Workplace

Just reading the word, intranet, causes many people to shudder uncontrollably. The mere thought of trying to wade through that archaic system, just to find benefits information, is enough to make people ill.

The good news is, the “old” intranet is gone. Dead. Intranets today are designed to be user-friendly, with a collaborative purpose, and as a social portal that not only benefits you but your company as well.

Intranet Design Best Practices For a Digital Workplace

Here are the 3 intranet design best practices that can deliver solutions that your user will actually like.

User-Centered Design (UCD)

With apologies to Albert Einstein, “The only source of knowledge is experience…user experience.” Understanding the user is key in creating a well thought out intranet design. By doing user research (there are multiple types that are effective) and creating an iterative approach to the design from that feedback, the end result is something that actually fits the current culture of a company and gives the user a sense of ownership in the process.

Role-Based Personalization

Once considered an option for many intranets, it’s fast becoming standard in the designs created today. By creating a role-based matrix you can determine an ideal homepage experience for each and every type of user based on their role within the organization. Once that is accomplished you can also allow users the freedom to further customize their experience. So long awful tree structure.

Mobilization

According to the Pew Research Center, 58% of Americans have smartphones, which means more than ever before information is not being consumed on a desktop. So designing for a mobile experience only makes sense as our workforce becomes more untethered every day. Even more important it reduces excess that can sometimes accompany intranet design. By focusing on the things that are really important to the user (see user research and personalization) you increase adoption and success.

Of course, there are more than just these three intranet design best practices when building an intranet, but these three are key to any successful design and build. And stop shuddering at your intranet and build something beautiful.

Also, there are a few common problems that we see with intranets. We have thoroughly discussed solutions for them. Click here for intranet solutions.

DOOR3 offers a range of user experience design services and expertise to help you move your intranet design to the next level. Contact us today!

Michael Montecuollo is the Director User Experience & Design team here at DOOR3 that’s responsible for the award-winning Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP intranet.