In our 6×2 methodology, intranet teams plan one release at a time, typically at six month intervals. Based on criteria (“why would we deliver this feature?”) and constraints (“What stops us from delivering improvements?”), potential activities are ruthlessly evaluated. The result is a list of deliverables that are both doable and worth doing.

In the 6×2 report, we indicate that criteria will change over time, based on the evolution of the intranet and changing business needs. In other words, what you focus on today may not be the priorities for tomorrow.

Last week we ended up running two 6×2 planning sessions at the one organisation, and this point was elegantly demonstrated.

November release

The immediate focus of the project team was a quick intranet rebuild to reflect new corporate branding, to be launched in two months time (!). The criteria for this release were very focused on communications and culture:

• Expresses and communicates the new brand
• Improves findability of content / people
• Demonstrates visible progress
• Supports two way interaction / dialog
• Has wow! impact

Within the extreme time constraints, a range of small, high-impact improvements were identified.

Q1 2011 release

For the proper six-month project, the criteria shifted to business and staff needs, as follows:

• Benefits frontline staff
• Demonstrates the organisation coming together
• Provides coordinated communications channel
• Improves findability
• Builds momentum for the future intranet vision

Needless to say, the activities chosen for the six-month project were very different based on these criteria…