Ideally, all intranet design projects should adopt a design approach which consults with users throughout the process, from identifying needs to input and evaluation of structure and design.

This is not always possible. Time and cost limitations occasionally result in corners being cut with testing often being the victim, because it is thought to take too long, or because the project team believe their experience enables them to create a design without testing.

But without input from the target audience, it’s likely the site will lose some users. Squeezing in some basic testing can make the difference between success and failure.

Why engage users early?

Ideally, users are engaged early in the development to ensure:

• user needs are met rather than what the project team thinks they need
• the time and cost of reworking an already designed site is minimised
• the site is both useful and usable

[CM Briefing 2009-18 by Rebecca Rodgers, read the full article]