10.  Using a complicated project approval process for all intranet projects.  Many small projects can be done quickly with a simple process. Larger projects with many dependencies require a disciplined process.

9. Project managers that make the requirements gathering process so complicated that the project scope expands, project costs go up, and the completion date is delayed. 

8. Using the design standards adopted for external customers (detailed branding guidelines) as the mandatory standards for internal web sites and apps.  Internal web sites can use a simple design that meets a short set of internal standards. 

7. Using trendy names, branding names  or acronyms when naming internal web applications or sites (Enterprise Support Portal, Solution Center, GDS) instead of plain English or common words.

6. Putting "my" in front of all link titles ( myHR, myTravel, myPurchasing ).
This just makes sites harder to find in internal directories and search.

5. Putting too much internal news on the home page.  Information overload is a big problem in many big companies today.  The home page should be easy to scan and not too long. About 1 / 4 of the page devoted to CNN-format headlines is the way to go.

4. Over-engineering the home page with too many bells and whistles.  Most personalization and customization features are not used and they greatly complicate the page.  The code of the home page becomes a complicated puzzle - small content changes become costly projects.

3. Relying on the process of user-testing to design a new web site.  Users are not good at articulating a design vision from a blank piece of paper. But their input is important to test the work of your small design team in later stages of the site design process.

2. Wasting too much time drafting and enforcing standards and governance documents and not enough time working with department-level teams to improve their internal web sites.  A well-written set of standards is important. 

1. Too many people involved in user-interface design decisions.

More Best Practices for Corporate Intranet / Portal

Home Page / Portal Design

Employee Directory / Internal Phonebook  / Org Charts

Naming of Site Links and Home Page

Update: August 2007

by Mark Gallagher

mark@gallagher.com

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