Key points

• Portal and collaboration software can be expensive to purchase and integrate. If you want to build a successful solution, you need a care- fully defined strategy.
• Identify and engage key stakeholders. Make sure they are involved as core members of your project team.
• Ensure that the SharePoint solution has a clear connection to business goals and objectives.
• Develop a method to identify and quantify pragmatic, tangible benefits for the solution. Do not underestimate the importance of a metrics plan.
• High-impact collaboration involves culture changes blended with the right technology. It is a small part technology and a large part business process change.
• Software does not achieve business objectives—people do. Just because a feature can help achieve a business objective doesn’t mean it will. Incorporate an effective training and communications strategy to ensure user adoption.
• Not all content needs to be stored in SharePoint, but all business- critical data should be accessible through your portal.
• SharePoint 2010 provides a single platform for intranet, extranet, and Internet solutions. This allows you to extend your messaging to employees, clients, partners, prospects, and general observers—the entire extended enterprise, including the Web.