Why Intranet Managers Are Vital to Successful Intranets

Intranet Managers today are superheroes! With often small teams and very large remits it is no surprise that this year’s Nielsen Norman report announcing 2016's  best intranets highlight all of the winners had outsourced elements of their intranet projects.

I thought it would be useful to take a look at the changing roles of intranet managers and their broad skill set which has enabled them to achieve intranet success. If you would like to find out more about intranet project management download our free guide to managing your intranet.

Intranets today are the hub of the business, the place that connects thousands of employees from across the globe. It’s far more than a shared document management area and contact directory. Technology and social media have changed the way we connect and interact with each other socially and professionally.

Traditionally Intranet Managers simply had to have web development skills. The job of managing the intranet was considered technical or based within internal communications. The role was always part of a wider job role to be undertaken in addition to other roles and responsibilities.

Today, the role of Intranet Manager is as much strategic as it is operational. The role is a combination of futurist, change management, project manager, researcher, development, design, analysis, content creation and people management. A true blend of left and right brain abilities!

Intranet Manager’s skills for intranet success:

If you compile an intranet manager’s job role it might help to define the role to think of it in terms of key Skills you need. Here are a few suggestions:

Strategic:

• Ability to review and digest data and wider market information to future proof your intranet
• Strategic planning

Communication skills:

• Confident presenting to large groups and all levels of management
• Experience and ability to write business proposals
• Effectively manage steering groups locally and globally
• Competantly write for the intranet and brief others
• Up to speed with social media trends and tools for engagement
• Confident meeting colleagues across the organisation to uncover intranet feedback and future developments

Project Management:

• Budget management
• Co-ordinating teams and people to achieve timely completion
• Managing and appointing key project roles
• Communicating with stakeholders
• Problem solving
• Supplier Management
• Ability to manage and deliver complex projects on time and to budget 

Technology:

• Sourcing the intranet software provider including creation of technical specification and requirements
• Proficient in HTML and CSS
• Manage or oversee the intranet administration
• Ongoing intranet supplier management
• Good understanding of networks and data security
• Good knowledge of web accessibility and design fundamentals

Research:

• Compilation and implementation of research plans.
• Undertake focus groups and conduct user interviews
• Data analysis

I hope this list illustrates just how multi-skilled intranet managers need to be. If you would like to find out more about intranet project management, download our free intranet guide to managing your intranet project.