Origin Interactive

The need

Allow networking and collaboration capabilities between Nedbank personnel
There was a requirement within Nedbank to provide a social network solution that allows networking and collaboration capabilities between Nedbank personnel. Consequently, Nedbank engaged Microsoft Consulting Services (MCS), Intervate and Origin Interactive to assist them with the design, implementation and deployment of a social network solution based on Microsoft SharePoint 2010.

Improved communication with and between staff
The view was that too many users ignore email communications; often using auto-delete rules in their email clients in order to completely ignore communications. The idea was to build a central, user customizable page that presents business communications to the users. The solution also needed to deliver personal user profile pages, which would be used for employees to find other employees and leverage off each other's expertise. Thus allowing employees to build a network of colleagues that they can rely on for support as they build their careers.

Connect with one another based on similar work, projects or social activities
Another prerequisite for the new internet was to improved the ability for staff to connect with one another based on similar work, projects or social activities thereby improving overall productivity and reducing the risk of duplicate work or misaligned staff efforts. This requirement made use of SharePoint 2010's modern social computing capabilities, which in turn would enhance communication and collaboration between Nedbank personnel.

What we did

• UX Design process
• Defined page content and functionality
• Navigational structure
• Information architecture
• Wireframe generation
• Visual design

Numerous stockholder workshops and meetings

We worked closely with Nedbank and Miscrosoft to understand and define their business requirements and more importantly, user requirements for their new SharePoint 2010 solution. This consisted of numerous stockholder workshops and meetings aimed at fleshing out requirements, scope, deliverables and project plans.

From there we started with defining navigation structures, user journeys and wireframes for all key screens. Once we had sign off on the overall direction we continued with concept design through to interface and interaction design.

MyWorkspace (WorkSpace)

This area is a fully customisable area where users choose what information they choose to see. Users have the ability to add, remove and filter (edit) web parts to form their preferred view. The solution supports users in executing their day-to-day responsibilities by supplying them with easy to use tools and functions. It also ensures that the right information is presented to the correct people therefore allowing users to get in touch with the correct content providers or subject matter experts.

MyWorkSpace (Profile)

Through viewing a user's profile, other can obtain personal and work related information about their team members. Thus making it a more personalised environment where users can promote themselves and learn more about their colleagues and piers. Users can now quickly and easily obtain an overview of co-workers skills, capability and experience from their Profile page. This in turn increases productivity and assist users with completing their day-to-day responsibilities.

The Result

Connecting and engaging individuals
There has been a trend toward making intranets more social, with a variety of tools aimed at connecting employees with their colleagues and executives in a more casual or personal way. Last year, we saw this through features such as executive and employee blogs, collaboration spaces, and polls. As we noted last year, user expectations for the intranet often come from their experiences on the web. As these web-wide experiences become more social, users expect similar features and content on their intranet sites as well.

We reflect on this continuing move to better serve individuals and small groups by connecting people in unexpected ways. In the intranet context, we can define social networking as anything that lets employees communicate with or learn about each other. It's about connections.