Practical SharePoint 2010 Information Architecture

Ruven Gotz

May 2012 · Apress

About this ebook

Practical SharePoint 2010 Information Architecture is a guide and tool set for planning and documenting the scope, navigational taxonomy, document taxonomy, metadata, page layouts and workflows for a successful SharePoint 2010 project. If you have been tasked with delivering an intranet for collaboration, document management or as a corporate portal, your only chance for success is to get all of these elements right, and then to make sure that you and your stakeholders are all on the same page.

SharePoint 2010 can be dangerous to your career: Expectations are often set very high, and not enough time is invested in understanding how those expectations can be met. Many SharePoint 2010 projects fail to meet their initial goals. Practical SharePoint 2010 Information Architecture arms you with proven tools that will help you to ensure that there is an agreement on the goals and scope, and how to then efficiently design your taxonomies. With author Ruven Gotz' work (with contributions from Michal Pisarek and Sarah Haase) at your side, You will learn how to educate your users on what metadata is and why it is important so you can build SharePoint 2010 solutions that exceed the expectations of your users.

This book:

Gives you practical approaches that have been proven in the field Explains how to use visual mind mapping tools and diagramming tools that provide clarity to all stakeholders Gives you techniques on how to teach and motivate your users for adoption and success What you’ll learn Understand metadata and how to explain it to your stakeholders Plan and run requirements gathering workshops Apply mind mapping techniques for designing navigation Run taxonomy workshops that result in practical information architecture Map process workflows and practical approaches for real-world implementation Build practical and lightweight governance and adoption plans Who this book is for

Practical SharePoint 2010 Information Architecture is not just for people whose job title is information architect. It is also for business analysts, project managers, IT managers, or business managers who have been tasked with delivering a SharePoint 2010 solution. Taking the lead on a SharePoint 2010 project can be very difficult because it is such a large platform, and there is so much conflicting information available. This book is for people who need a guide that has an end-to-end approach that will carry them through the entire planning and design process.

Table of Contents Preparing for Successful Outcomes Introduction to Mind Mapping The Magic of Metadata Site Navigation and Structure Wireframing for SharePoint Complexity, Wickedness and Dialogue Mapping Business Process Mapping The Art of Creating Business Process Solutions Success with Search Governance, Adoption and Training Building Environments for Testing/Prototyping in the Cloud Conclusion

About the author

Ruven Gotz is a senior consultant and SharePoint 2010 "Most Valuable Professional" with more than 20 years of IT industry experience, Working as a business analyst and information architect, Ruven is able to apply his eclectic education and varied experience in psychology, computer science, economics, software development and training to get to the heart of complex problems. He has become a leader in the use of visual tools to help his clients and team members achieve shared understanding of problems and goals and shared commitment towards implementing a successful solution. Ruven lives in Toronto, and on warm summer nights, you’ll find him racing his 24’ sailboat on Lake Ontario.