Making intranets more usable and enjoyable.

Brooks Automation is a leading manufacturer for the semi-conductor industry. They were seeking experts in Intranets, and wanted to generate an internal excitement and buzz, while recognizing the complexities of internal communications and data sharing.  They felt it was essential to look holistically at employees’ use of the Intranet, and solutions that would enable internal communications and job efficiency.

Knowledge of Intranet tactics gained from previous projects, as well as our human-centered approach to discovery, helped inform ideal solutions for their organization. We engaged in a variety of human-centered design activities such as stakeholder sessions, contextual inquiry and ethnographic interviews. We also explored alternative approaches to Information Architecture research including “focus group card sorts” and task-based finding validation.  In addition we presented several conceptual approaches (wireframes) – then applied visual design and refined. We also supported the development team with implementation, creating a complex home-grown platform.

We worked productively with both IT and Marketing executives and helped facilitate prioritization and decision-making between the two groups. The marketing executives were happy with the impact that the new design made, and the technical staff were happy to have us as a partner to help them long-term.