Exploring Effective Communication in UX Research: Strategies Involving Intranets and More...
In today's digital age, the importance of effective communication within organizations cannot be overstated. This is especially true for UX research teams, who strive to bridge the gap between users and the products they interact with. A recent article, the final piece in a UX research communication series, available under the UX Daily tab on the website, emphasises the potential of company intranets as a valuable tool for sharing UX data.
However, the success of intranets has been elusive in the past, with many falling victim to process inefficiencies, poor user experience, and fragmented technology. These issues have led to bottlenecks, low adoption, and employee frustration.
Heavy IT dependencies and manual maintenance have caused delays in updating content or launching surveys, limiting agility. The user experience has often been poor, with intranets competing against too many other tools, having limited functionality, and a steep learning curve leading to low usage and frustration. Fragmented technology and uneven adoption across teams have resulted in inconsistent experiences and information gaps, harming confidence and effectiveness. Content sprawl, duplication, and outdated information have further reduced trust and usefulness of the intranet.
To address these issues, UX research teams can adopt several strategies. Involving users early to align the intranet with their daily workflows and needs ensures the platform is intuitive and useful. Employing all-in-one intranet platforms reduces IT bottlenecks and technical fragmentation, improving ease of maintenance and scalability. Defining clear content ownership, conducting regular audits, and prioritizing fresh, relevant content keep employees engaged and trusting the platform. Integrating intranet systems with key enterprise tools thoughtfully provides seamless access to data without siloing. Establishing intranet champions and providing ongoing training and feedback loops support adoption and continuous improvement.
By implementing these approaches, companies can significantly increase employee engagement, productivity, and connection to the company mission. The intranet, once a frustrating relic, can transform into a critical collaboration and communication hub. Modern intranets, when designed and supported with strong UX research and organizational buy-in, become strategic assets rather than costly burdens.
It is crucial to remember that the intranet should be restricted for access to only relevant parties, and when useful information is found, it should not be copied and pasted into emails. The purpose of information shared on the intranet should be clear and have a structure specific to the UX area. It is also important to take care over presenting data on the intranet, as with any other platform.
The header image for this article is from the Observatoire de l'Intranet, with all rights reserved. The UX project team may be able to revive the intranet system for sharing UX data, leading to improved support for UX research and increased credibility when proposing new research ideas. Better communication with other parts of the business can only lead to a more informed and productive workforce.
[1] Intranet Usage and Adoption: A Look at the Challenges and Opportunities, Nielsen Norman Group, 2020. [2] The Future of Intranets: A Case Study on Modernizing the Intranet, Forrester Research, 2019. [3] The Intranet Redesign Playbook: A Guide for Digital Workplace Success, Workgrid Software, 2018. [4] The Intranet Strategy Handbook: A Practical Guide for Success, Step Two Designs, 2017.
UX research teams can leverage technology by adopting all-in-one intranet platforms to improve ease of maintenance, scalability, and reduce technical fragmentation. This can help ensure the intranet is an effective tool for sharing UX data and research, thereby bridging the gap between users and products more efficiently.
Effective presentation of data on the intranet is crucial for UX research, as clear and structured information supports better communication within the organization and fosters a more informed and productive workforce.
