Forum Discussion
Can IC work without SharePoint savvy?
I've seen a few posts on LI recently around the use of SharePoint in IC and associated frustrations. Full disclosure, I'm a diehard advocate of SharePoint but would be the first to admit what it ...
Good discussion! In my opinion IC professionals shouldn't need to understand all aspects of SharePoint and the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. IC would influence an overall channel strategy and they need to be sufficiently trained on how to create / tag / manage the comms they put out on any channel.
Specialist knowledge is needed outside of a traditional IC role e.g. a detailed understanding of the platform and any technical considerations relating to the business architecture. An understanding of information architecture, metadata. It can also support IC for
- escalations when something goes wrong with the tech or requirements change
- platform / tech training
- special events where IC want to step outside of an existing template / process etc
A traditional IT role won't always sufficiently understand the needs of a comms team (exceptions can be business partners, as you've mentioned it could be someone in IT with a dotted line in to the comms business area.
The ideal would be a dedicated channels / intranet / IC tech manager who understands both comms needs and tech (I may be biased in this regard as this is my role). A dedicated role also helps ensure a wide variety of inputs are considered e.g. championing an overall user experience and needs from other teams such as HR / operational teams.
Expertise should live somewhere in the business. Whilst an initial view could come from an outside contractor knowledge should be embedded in to the business for ongoing maintenance, adaptations, training etc (unless there's a close, ongoing relationship with a supplier which is likely to be expensive).
For SharePoint specifically, there have been a lot of improvements but OOTB there are still big challenges when used for bigger businesses. I'd say it's impossible for large organisations to use SharePoint OOTB. It looks like Microsoft would prefer to allow 3rd parties to create customisations and fill in gaps.
SharePoint training does seem to focus on information management and only some specialists offer an intranet / communications management perspective. I can only think that this isn't more widespread due to 3rd party involvement for SharePoint intranets. You're often limited to training and consultancy with your 3rd party supplier on their specific flavour of SharePoint.
Specialist knowledge is needed outside of a traditional IC role e.g. a detailed understanding of the platform and any technical considerations relating to the business architecture. An understanding of information architecture, metadata. It can also support IC for
- escalations when something goes wrong with the tech or requirements change
- platform / tech training
- special events where IC want to step outside of an existing template / process etc
A traditional IT role won't always sufficiently understand the needs of a comms team (exceptions can be business partners, as you've mentioned it could be someone in IT with a dotted line in to the comms business area.
The ideal would be a dedicated channels / intranet / IC tech manager who understands both comms needs and tech (I may be biased in this regard as this is my role). A dedicated role also helps ensure a wide variety of inputs are considered e.g. championing an overall user experience and needs from other teams such as HR / operational teams.
Expertise should live somewhere in the business. Whilst an initial view could come from an outside contractor knowledge should be embedded in to the business for ongoing maintenance, adaptations, training etc (unless there's a close, ongoing relationship with a supplier which is likely to be expensive).
For SharePoint specifically, there have been a lot of improvements but OOTB there are still big challenges when used for bigger businesses. I'd say it's impossible for large organisations to use SharePoint OOTB. It looks like Microsoft would prefer to allow 3rd parties to create customisations and fill in gaps.
SharePoint training does seem to focus on information management and only some specialists offer an intranet / communications management perspective. I can only think that this isn't more widespread due to 3rd party involvement for SharePoint intranets. You're often limited to training and consultancy with your 3rd party supplier on their specific flavour of SharePoint.