Why Intranets Fail & How to Fix Them

This is a practical guide to some of the common problems associated with Intranets, and solutions to those problems. It explores how the needs of the end-user very often conflict with the needs of the organisation, creating a confusion of purpose that impedes the success of Intranet. It sets out clearly why Intranets cannot be thought of as merely internal Internets, and requires their own management strategies and approaches. The book draws on a wide range of examples and analogies from a variety of contexts to set-out in a clear and concise way the issues at the heart of failing Intranets. It presents step-by-step solutions with universal application. Each issue discussed is accompanied by short practical suggestions for improved Intranet design and architecture. This work: is jargon-free and aimed at information professionals; draws many examples from broader library management contexts; clearly distinguishes between Intranet and Internet technologies. The author is a senior University lecturer in Information Management at London Metropolitan University. Contents include: Introduction; Why users behave irrationally - user expectations; the information skills deficit (and surplus); pattern recognition and false superstitions (how the brain builds relationships between ideas; hypertext; well-worn paths and habitual information seeking behaviour; how Intranets stifle users); expectations of failure Why organisations behave irrationally - competing perspectives; organisational expectations; organisational structure and information ownership; the information wasteland; why Intranets are not IT applications; reconciling competing expectations - defining expectations; setting realistic targets; placing Intranets within broader information strategies Elements of Intranet architecture - aspects of Intranet architecture; designing success Implementing and managing Intranets - implementing Intranets; and designing success Anticipating change - information systems convergence.