Preface to 2010 Report

By Jane McConnell

“The workplace has become more virtual, more global, more decentralized and more collaborative. Keeping pace with these changes is not easy and intranets are also on the move, in some cases keeping pace with these changes and in others falling behind. There is progress to be made, and we hope that this report will contribute by helping raise awareness of the intranet potential and what is required to achieve it.

“This year we have identified five key trends we believe will be fundamental in the future:

1. The front-door intranet
2. The team-oriented intranet
3. The people-focused intranet
4. The real-time intranet
5. The place-independent intranet

“These underlying trends have been defined based on a number of different aspects of intranets that appeared in this year’s survey data analysis and that of preceding years. Each trend represents a dimension of what the intranet must become if it is to successfully fulfill its role within the organization.

“As you develop strategies, define governance policies and implement new technologies, it is worth considering to what extent they bring the intranet progressively closer to the future. The intranet should continually be one step ahead of the organization, helping lead staff and management towards new ways of working. The intranet is a process, not a one-time project.

“The visual theme for this year’s report is origami. The art of origami is based on the concept of taking a single sheet of paper and folding it in different ways to create a representation of an animal, a bird or a figure. Some origami creations are simple, others complex. Each one is unique, just as each intranet is unique with its own life and personality.

“We hope you will enjoy our sometimes humorous illustrations of origami as you read this report.

“Please do not hesitate to get in touch directly through email or by telephone if you have comments, questions or just want to talk about intranets.

Jane McConnell
NetStrategy/JMC