Summary

In this chapter we set out to define the benefits and value of intranets - the relationship between business and technology. We used the term Return on Investment to describe this value. And we defined ROI as an estimate of organization's total costs to build, maintain, and develop an intranet, and the organization's subsequent benefits. There are two main components: the costs and the benefits.

A well-thought out ROI is especially useful in communicating the business-value of having an intranet to your peers and managers, creating support for your project. Another key value factor of ROI is that it can be instrumental in making your intranet more effective.

Our next step was to get into the nuts and bolts of ROI within the organization. Crucially we identified that managers are looking for results in the short term. These results must really hit the bottom line in terms of cash flow and profit. Also we identified the issue of really understanding the true costs of an intranet project.

"Keep focused on your goal of establishing the value of intranets and you will unlock the huge potential of intranets within your organization."

The model we chose for forecasting ROI was a traditional cost benefit model. The problems we tried to avoid included 'poor numbers in, poor numbers out' and 'I forgot about that cost'.

We finished with the basic process for defining ROI. In performing this process the single most important aspect is to keep the process simple. Keep focused on your goal of establishing the value of intranets and you will unlock the huge potential of intranets within your organization.