Intranet technology: considerations for implementation within the Department of Defense

Abstract

Intranets, internal networks based on the same technology and protocol as the World Wide Web, have emerged in the past two years as a very popular medium for communication and information exchange within organizations. Organizations are flocking to this new tool in order to maintain or improve their market share and enhance communications and productivity. The purpose of this thesis is to give the DoD some guidance in deciding if this new wave of technology is suitable for its computing and information environment. A qualitative approach is used in obtaining the data for this thesis. The primary assumption of this research is that the introduction of an intranet is similar to the introduction of any information system. Therefore, a sample of information technology professionals with at least five years experience in planning, developing, managing, and implementing information systems within DoD or large, bureaucratic, and hierarchical organizations is interviewed. The interviews reveal a process of implementation that is heavily dependent on variables such as culture, structure, and size of the organization. The process has four major phases: leadership buy-in, prototype introduction, attainment of critical mass, and intranet refinement. The authors conclude that intranet technology creates the Opportunity for the DoD to become more productive and more efficient. They note that the real test for DoD implementors is in the application of the technology