Why most intranets underperform – and how to fix it
Intranets are critical to internal communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing.
Yet too often, they’re treated as an afterthought – poorly planned, politically fraught, and underutilised.
At Digital Rehab, we’ve delivered over 15 intranet solutions – including for Coates Hire in 2013 – and we’ve seen what works, and what doesn’t.
Why Intranets Fail
Common pitfalls include:
- Lack of executive sponsorship
- Political turf wars over ownership
- Minimal user consultation
- Weak governance
- Unstructured content
- Rushed implementation
These issues erode trust, reduce adoption, and undermine the intranet’s strategic value.
What Success Looks Like
Here are the essential ingredients for a high-performing intranet:
- Executive Sponsorship
Secure a CEO or MD as project sponsor to give the initiative weight and break down resistance. - Depoliticise the Project
Establish clear ownership and keep internal politics at bay. - Consult Broadly
Engage a cross-section of end users early to shape functionality and ensure relevance. - Define Governance Clearly
Whether centralised or federated, governance must be structured, documented, and enforced. - Structure Your Content
Classify assets, define hierarchies, and align content with permissions and review cycles. - Plan for Migration
Content is king. A thoughtful migration strategy is essential for continuity and usability. - Allow Time for Change
Intranet rollouts represent significant change. Build in time for consultation, migration, training, and adoption. - Support with Training Packs
Provide job aids, how-to guides, and workflow diagrams to ease the transition and empower users.
Final Thought
A successful intranet isn’t just a platform, it’s a cultural asset. When planned and executed well, it becomes the heartbeat of internal communication and collaboration.
