SharePoint & Teaching

When teaching others about SharePoint – the following items one should be mindful of:

·         Observe how you react to mistakes – and not be defensive – SharePoint is challenging to learn so users should be taught with patience

·         Try new learning techniques – users learn differently so be mindful of this – therefore creating many different mediums (live classes, remote classes, videos, quick guides, self-help written modules, etc.) is essential

·         Teach in your area of strength – if one is good with out of the box SharePoint aspects – they should teach in that area, if one is good with workflows, they should teach in that area  

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Organization Change & SharePoint

Overall, SharePoint can be utilized to challenge the “status quo” thinking. SharePoint empowers teams to continuously improve via process, people and behavioral changes.

Some traits that are usually exhibited when change is involved with SharePoint:

·         The new process has users scared – so hand holding and direction on the value of SharePoint is needed.

·         Users feel that SharePoint is a time wasted, nothing gained technology – so it needs to be sold via learning sessions (classes, videos, handouts, etc.).

·         After time, users will realize the value and the environment ecosystem of SharePoint will be healthy and productive.

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SharePoint and Change – Part II

The following are some key items to consider when using SharePoint as a platform for change:

1)      Know what SharePoint can do and how much can get done with out of the box as well as custom functionality

2)      Know how much work – can get done based on cost, scope and schedule with SharePoint

3)      Know what can released during regular hours and what needs a change control or e-mail communication to users (example a solution deployment that re-cycles application pools)

4)      Know what can be completing taking into consideration – ideal time (how long item will take without distractions)

5)      Have a definition of what done means in regard to a site or functionality request

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