Governance – Proper Naming Conventions

The following are some items for consider for naming conventions:

Have format for database names – example->  WSS_Content_Sitename

Real world example ->  WSS_Content_IT

Have a format for document library naming (example IT_Core_Docs)

Have server name convention which – plans for growth

(example spweb1, spweb2, spweb3, spcentad1, spworkflow1, spsearch1, spdist1)

Names of files should be short and not utilize spaces – use _ instead

Names of view – should be short and descriptive (example: ITContacts or IT_Contacts)

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Governance Site Planning – Part 2

The following are some items to consider for site planning:

Will approval be turned on and who will approve content?

Who will secure sensitive information?

Who will have the permissions to create new sites?

Who will create and publish content?

Who will have the ability to customize sites?

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Governance Site Planning – Part 1

The following are some items to consider for site planning:

·         Decide if users will manage - own websites

·         Decide if users will create their own sites

·         Decide how users will use metadata (managed metadata navigation, managed metadata column or document sets)

·         Train users before they are granted permission to site

·         Decide if owner, member, visitor groups will be enough as far as permissions and who will grant access

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SharePoint Wheeling & Dealing

The following items can be used in regards to issues with SharePoint for what I call the wheeling & dealing:

 

1)      Think on how one can better a site via content, graphics, features and functionality

2)      Ask for clarification – if content and layout being asked for doesn’t make sense

3)      It is recommended to create a wiki of governance items that contains polices in regard to sites, permissions, naming conventions, requests for new functionality amongst other items. The wiki can then be referred to as the golden rule when issues/clarification is needed

4)      Ask users when you meet or talk with them “Am I making sense?”

5)      Say something once – in regard to pushing back when items out of scope are asked – then move on – don’t have negative behavior

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SharePoint – Working on a Project Collaboratively

Some core items to work collaboratively:

1)      Have to have process for how SharePoint projects are run (Agile, Waterfall, Constructive Cost Model – COCOMO, etc.)

2)      Have to obtain – good detailed specifications for what is needed on a site

3)      For new requirements that are requested – have to have process for approval if items will be approved by project/manager/manager/director

4)      Have to decide if out of the box functionality works or if customization is required

5)      Have to track issues/support tickets even if they are calls, e-mails or via a web-based form entry

6)      Capture changes to sites/applications thoroughly (maybe just use a simple custom list)

7)      All team members across the group – should be on the same page

 

SharePoint – Top 10 Ways to Train Users

The following are the 10 top items to consider in regard to SharePoint end user training:

1)      Create short quick guides (4-12 pages) of applicable features (uploading files, views, using calendars etc.)

 

2)      Create short videos on key aspects and make sure the videos are organized by topic area. Make them available via easy to find subject titles

 

3)      Create a blog and then post key items which the system can do – have good clear categories available so users can find information quickly

 

4)      Create guides 20-50 pages for those whom will be acting as site owner/content owners

 

5)      Run lunch and learn live and remote based sessions – keeping subject matter one hour in duration

 

6)      Offer – live training one hour to 90 minutes in duration which encompass showing users needed functionality

 

7)      Create a custom self-help by overriding the ? with one’s own content (could be a custom wiki/blog)

 

8)      Create live classes and offer a curriculum teaching basic users (covers navigation, terminology, simple basic items in regard to what SharePoint can do, etc.)

 

9)      Create live classes and offer a curriculum for content owners (covers editing/adding pages, creating lists and views, etc.)

 

10)   Create live classes and a curriculum for site owners (covers editing/adding pages, creating sites, handling permissions and site features which can be enabled, etc.)

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SharePoint Purchasing Travels – Capital vs. Expense

In my travels – around the world of purchasing SharePoint – I’ve had a variety of experiences. Typically – my experience has been I’m sent a very complicated spreadsheet from a re-seller or directly from Microsoft. I’m then based on the numbers in the spreadsheet – trying to negotiate the best price per seat as well as per server license. Since a large majority of my experience is based with on premise I’m keen to the fact that every user that attaches or will possibly attach to SharePoint needs a license.

Now, if I’m running a standard edition only – typically this is easier because all the users will need a license. Now, if I’m running an enterprise edition – it’s a bit more complicated because not only do all users need a standard license but they will also need an enterprise user license as well. This in my view is a complicated aspect that many don’t realize.

I will say however that the model has gotten easier as Microsoft now provides an enterprise framework, however even though this appears to be marketed for the cloud based organization, it can be utilized for on premise and cloud. Example if one purchases 100 user licenses under what is known as an E3 (Enterprise 3) license those licenses can be utilized for either on premise or in the cloud. This makes getting users the needed tools quicker and easier.

In regard to cloud, those who rely on a capital vs. expense budget are in luck. Under newly established accounting principles cloud based can be capitalized if one can make changes to the software/system and also if the service can be controlled from an on premise point. Therefore, if one is in an hybrid situation where SharePoint is installed on premise and OneDrive for Business is in the cloud – the case can be made that the cloud standard are met and can capitalize expenditures instead of using an expense.

Historically, a vast majority of the SharePoint work I’ve done is expense (training, user licenses, service agreements and support and enhancements) while I’ve capitalized the following -> server licenses, virtual machine licenses, virtual machine racks, and software licenses.

Every organization may think differently on this front but in my view it’s an important one to think about to account for as it’s not always about what SharePoint can do, but how to get it!

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