How Intranet & Portal Landscapes Evolve

Over the past 5 years, I have been working on defining models for different types of intranets and portals. I have reached a set of 6 types that I have tested with both international companies, with government,  institutional and non-profit organisations.
In this post, I shall attempt to describe each model in a few words, and invite your comments, questions and opinions.

The diagram below is an extract from the 2007 Global Intranet & Portal Strategies Survey. There is a lot to be said for each type: its history, its relation to organisational or business strategies, its relevance for users, and so on.

The evolution from 1 to 6 is not systematic. In fact, intranets follow specific paths depending on the history of the organisation and how it is growing, evolving, down-sizing, devolving, etc. I will write more about this shortly.

In the meantime, comments welcome.

(The  2007 Global Intranet & Portal Strategies Report resulting from the currently on-going survey will use these models as one dimension of the consolidated profiles of participating companies. Contact me if you would like to participate and receive a free copy of the Report.)