Summary:

Launching blogs is as much about changing behavior as it is about adding technology.
Reger.com employs a cross-functional approach to engage all parts of the organization, not just the technologists.
Blogs take an initial investment in behavior but quickly become self-sustaining

Technical needs analysis:

Traffic estimates based on number of users
Hosting platform analysis (internal vs. outsourced)
Security analysis
- SSL/transport security
- Password requirements
- Server access/maintenance process security
Organizational web browser standards
Organizational user computer standards
Organizational bandwidth availability

Business needs analysis:

Short sessions to explain capabilities and get recommendations from sample managers, employees and executives
Scenario-building to determine 2-3 processes that can be replaced/enhanced with web log
Custom log type definition, including custom graphs and data fields
Branding/UI analysis for private label
Legal: Privacy and Terms of Use disclaimers

Custom development (if any):

Any custom development is done
Testing by internal and organization contacts to ensure code meets goals

Server setup:

Work with internal group or host in Reger.com data center
Testing of access from within organization
Explanation of server maintenance procedures

Pre-Launch (Priming the Pump):

Find the Experts – People with organization-specific expertise
- Very important to get 5-10 Experts logging prior to main organizational launch
- Experts are willing leaders, excited about the concept
- Experts can be recruited but not forced to log
Coaches – Trained or hired to evangelize web logging technology and make its use common/easy

Launch day:

Pre-planned communications are made to organization
- Email
- Links on existing corporate intranet
- Internal newsletters
Coaches hold lunch parties/working lunch sessions to generate excitement and explain concept of knowledge blogging
Executives show support and acknowledge new challenges ahead
Expert web logs are highlighted, already populated with some content
Users are shown how easy it is to create their first web log entry
Acceptable use policy discussed to make sure users understand bounds and rights within the organizational blogging environment

Post-Launch:

Coaches and experts work to encourage web logging by example
Communities form
Case studies are provided to highlight success
Problem areas are worked on (slow adoption, unacceptable use, cultural issues, etc)

Success:

Conversations taking place on web logs are self-sustaining
Employees, managers and executives benefit from the conversations and archival of corporate knowledge

** The content on this page is not completely our own. It has been collected in emails and blog entries throughout the years. Unfortunately, the sources of much of the information have been lost. If you were the primary author of any of the content here, please do not hesitate to contact us... we'd be glad to give you credit for it and we apologize in advance for not doing so already. It's our fault for not collecting references over the years.