Navigation in an Intranet

Download free table of contents/navigation system for intranets (word document)

Many different methods of setting up navigation on an intranet have been tried. The conclusion of test after test is that a theme-based way of organizing information works best for those people who plan to actually use the intranet in their day to day work. Attempts to organize information based upon organizational models, procedures or the like haven't worked well in practice. (Where do you find the telephone list on a process-based intranet? And would you find "time cards" under "accounting" or "human resources" on an organizationally-based intranet?)

If you base the navigation of your intranet on themes, the content can be logically organized into groups. One can also build up hierarchies with subordinating groups where more specific terms fall into more general categories. A thematic hierarchy can be expanded both in breadth and in depth without having to overhaul the entire structure. (If you introduce a new product series, you simply add a page under "products". Start a new project? Add a new page under "projects".)

Many of the themes will be the same from company to company. Accounting, reports, IT information, letter templates, safety and workers' compensation information, vacation calendars and much more are status quo for companies. We have made a list of all of these topics in a generic navigation system for an intranet. You can download this for free and use at will:

Download free table of contents/navigation system for intranets (word document)

You can also employ this list as a checklist of themes that should appear in an intranet, and as a quality control in relation to your own table of contents. It should not replace the natural process of uncovering your specific company's and colleagues' information demands, but it can be a good supplement to this process.