Update: This is the fourth article of the post series, General Information to Build an Intranet Better.
As my article on the 6 major benefits of intranets indicates, an intranet built, implemented and used successfully will be a huge assert to a company. But as with every introduction of new technology there will be challenges that have to be overcome. Identified in the following are the challenges faced in doing so. These challenges are discussed under the headings of technical, financial and managerial challenges.
1.1. Computer Network - One of the technical challenges is the computer network upon which the intranet is implemented. For this the company will have to install a Local Area computer Network (LAN) that uses TCP/IP (a networking standard) as the networking protocol. Here it is important that the network have the requisite bandwidth to handle the efficient transfer of whatever types of multimedia that’ll be used in the intranet as well as provide the sufficient robustness for the efficient functioning of the intranets at all times.
1.2. Hardware and Software - Another technical challenge is the hardware and the software that will be used by the intranet. For example the basic prerequisites as regards hardware and software are a web server/s to host and handle the intranet and web clients or browsers on individual desktop computers for accessing the intranet and using it. The desktop computer may also need other software applications and hardware equipment depending on the intranet and its contents. As such great care and effort will have to be put in to get the correct software and hardware for the intranet.
1.3. Security – The security for the intranet and its user poses one of the most formidable challenges when building an intranet. For example there will have to be adequate security measures to control the access and usage of the intranet and monitor it for unauthorized access and illegal operation, guard against physical damage or stealing etc. of the hardware and equipment used by it. There will also be a need to protect the intranet from computer viruses, harmful or illegal content etc. A contingency plan should also be there to counter the security breaches if they occur.
2.1 Return On Investment (ROI) Challenge – Much of the benefits of implementing the intranet is of a qualitative nature and it is difficult to measure them in money. As such showing the benefits in a financial vise will require great attention and effort to get the adequate funds for the intranet project.
2.3 Budgeting and Fund Allocation – There are many different needs and requirements as well as setbacks in building the intranet. For example getting necessary personnel for the project, buying equipment, developing intranet content and material, training users, etc. Here often conflict arises in allocating the necessary funds or underestimating financial needs. As such a good estimation and proper budgeting will be needed for overcoming this problem.
3.1. Coordination – As there will be considerable human and non-human resources involved and committed to the introduction of the intranet proper coordination of resources is very important and posses a formidable challenge.
3.2. Management and User Commitment – This is a serious challenge in building the intranet. To illustrate, there will be various issues and drawbacks when obtaining commitment like employee fears, lack of understanding, no motivation, time problems etc., so getting user commitment will not be very easy unless tackled with caution and correctly.
3.3. Content and Structure Management – What information and application should be available in the intranet is a very important question to be answered. Here proper analysis and attention to detail will be needed as regards to the managing information and knowledge available in the intranet without overloading users, keeping information current, ensuring confidentiality of information etc. Also there will need for choosing the way the content is presented e.g. screen design and ease of use will need great attention.
3.4. Change Management – Great skills in human relations will be needed to overcome the change management challenge. Because human beings naturally tend to dislike change, managing the change to the intranet cannot be underestimated for the building of a successful intranet. E.g. here user perception will have to be changed, employee fears understood and remedial action taken, and the smooth integration into the company will be a needed. Also Consensus among departments and various people is involved.
3.5. Training and Continued Maintenance – Adequate training and continued maintenance is very important for the company to accrue the intended benefits of the intranet. But there are various issues in this like developing proper training material and getting trainers, having initial training sessions, managing user queries, keeping content and information relevant and current in the long term etc. As such considerable effort and emphasis will be needed in this matter.
Also See
As my article on the 6 major benefits of intranets indicates, an intranet built, implemented and used successfully will be a huge assert to a company. But as with every introduction of new technology there will be challenges that have to be overcome. Identified in the following are the challenges faced in doing so. These challenges are discussed under the headings of technical, financial and managerial challenges.
1. Technical challenges
1.1. Computer Network - One of the technical challenges is the computer network upon which the intranet is implemented. For this the company will have to install a Local Area computer Network (LAN) that uses TCP/IP (a networking standard) as the networking protocol. Here it is important that the network have the requisite bandwidth to handle the efficient transfer of whatever types of multimedia that’ll be used in the intranet as well as provide the sufficient robustness for the efficient functioning of the intranets at all times.
1.2. Hardware and Software - Another technical challenge is the hardware and the software that will be used by the intranet. For example the basic prerequisites as regards hardware and software are a web server/s to host and handle the intranet and web clients or browsers on individual desktop computers for accessing the intranet and using it. The desktop computer may also need other software applications and hardware equipment depending on the intranet and its contents. As such great care and effort will have to be put in to get the correct software and hardware for the intranet.
1.3. Security – The security for the intranet and its user poses one of the most formidable challenges when building an intranet. For example there will have to be adequate security measures to control the access and usage of the intranet and monitor it for unauthorized access and illegal operation, guard against physical damage or stealing etc. of the hardware and equipment used by it. There will also be a need to protect the intranet from computer viruses, harmful or illegal content etc. A contingency plan should also be there to counter the security breaches if they occur.
2. Financial challenges
2.1 Return On Investment (ROI) Challenge – Much of the benefits of implementing the intranet is of a qualitative nature and it is difficult to measure them in money. As such showing the benefits in a financial vise will require great attention and effort to get the adequate funds for the intranet project.
2.3 Budgeting and Fund Allocation – There are many different needs and requirements as well as setbacks in building the intranet. For example getting necessary personnel for the project, buying equipment, developing intranet content and material, training users, etc. Here often conflict arises in allocating the necessary funds or underestimating financial needs. As such a good estimation and proper budgeting will be needed for overcoming this problem.
3. Managerial challenges
3.1. Coordination – As there will be considerable human and non-human resources involved and committed to the introduction of the intranet proper coordination of resources is very important and posses a formidable challenge.
3.2. Management and User Commitment – This is a serious challenge in building the intranet. To illustrate, there will be various issues and drawbacks when obtaining commitment like employee fears, lack of understanding, no motivation, time problems etc., so getting user commitment will not be very easy unless tackled with caution and correctly.
3.3. Content and Structure Management – What information and application should be available in the intranet is a very important question to be answered. Here proper analysis and attention to detail will be needed as regards to the managing information and knowledge available in the intranet without overloading users, keeping information current, ensuring confidentiality of information etc. Also there will need for choosing the way the content is presented e.g. screen design and ease of use will need great attention.
3.4. Change Management – Great skills in human relations will be needed to overcome the change management challenge. Because human beings naturally tend to dislike change, managing the change to the intranet cannot be underestimated for the building of a successful intranet. E.g. here user perception will have to be changed, employee fears understood and remedial action taken, and the smooth integration into the company will be a needed. Also Consensus among departments and various people is involved.
3.5. Training and Continued Maintenance – Adequate training and continued maintenance is very important for the company to accrue the intended benefits of the intranet. But there are various issues in this like developing proper training material and getting trainers, having initial training sessions, managing user queries, keeping content and information relevant and current in the long term etc. As such considerable effort and emphasis will be needed in this matter.
Also See