Feasibility of developing an intranet for geographically distributed managers

Planning Proposal on "Feasibility of developing an intranet"

To whom it May Concern:

Re: "Feasibility of developing an intranet" (Planning Proposal)

Project Description

Our company is an internationally-based company that is extremely spread out geographically, and even on an internal level, in its architectural structure. Managers often wish to communicate efficiently and confidentially amongst themselves regarding the performance of other members of the staff. However, at present, this is difficult to accomplish. Of course the company could build a new physical structure to accommodate needs for better face-to-face connectivity amongst individuals, but another and less expensive potential solution exists, that of the development of an in-house intranet, or online connectivity structure.

Why an intranet? Why not simply make use of the World Wide Web, given currently existing corporate computer structures allow for such connections? The establishment of an intranet would automatically give an additional level of secrecy and protection from viruses and external security threats that mere access through the Internet would not. An intranet has almost all of the quickness of the use of the Internet, once individuals are equipped with system passwords and knowledge of system protocols, but mitigates some of its damaging features without incurring additional costs.

Of course, the virtual form of communication is not as emotionally or logistically beneficial as face-to-face communication. But when communication in the real world is not possible, the virtual one is an available substitute for a daily 'touching base.'

Plan of Action

The development of an intranet, in preliminary outline form, will require a three-pronged methodology of 'attack.' Firstly, it will require consultation with the mangers whom will make use of the intranet in greatest numbers, followed by an assessment of their daily needs and also an assessment of their technical prowess, given in both a dialogue format via Q & A. They could even be given an anonymous a 'pop quiz' regarding how to use the proposed intranet, so the general level of competency of the users could be assessed in a fashion that would not affect their personal job assessment at present. Secondly, the technical designers in-house would be given this informational data, both qualitative and quantitative. The designers would then come up with a collective plan to meet the needs of the managers, and determine if additional out of house personnel would be needed to be contracted to complete the project. Lastly, the technical staff must determine if training sessions will be required for the non-technical staff members who would use the intranet, to add to the existing necessary skills base of the company managers.

The research plan would thus involve questioning and 'testing' the managers who could use the intranet, questioning the staff whom will design it and determining their personnel and budgeting needs, and develop a form of educational timeline for the mangers who will use the intranet, as well as a timeline for the project.

Thus the scheduling, as such takes this form: (Figure 1)

The Problem is:

A Lack of Communication

Leads to The Solution is:

The Development of Company intranet

Leads to Another problem

Facilities and Equipment

Of course, rooms will be needed to be allocated to interview the affected personnel, and to submit the mangers to questioning and testing regarding their technical expertise and facility with intranet resources.

Personnel

I believe I am the person to research the topic and write the report because of my experience in both the managerial and technical fields that the issues of intranet development pertain to.

Budget

The main cost will be one of time, in terms of the interviewing and training procedures, and if new staff members must be brought in on a temporary or permanent basis to train and install the network.

Conclusion

Communication on a constant basis is key to any work environment. An intranet facilitates communication, and would even lessen the financial impact of sick days, as employees could still be connected at home, or when away.