Case
MijnFirda
A new social intranet for a merged education organisation
The merger of ROC Friese Poort and Friesland College created Firda. That called for more than combining systems: it was the moment to redesign digital information provision and internal communication.
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Context
ROC Friese Poort and Friesland College merged into Firda, a new education organisation with a broad range of programmes and locations in Friesland and the north of the Netherlands. A merger of this size affects not only structure and culture, but also how staff and students find, share and communicate information.
The existing intranet no longer fitted the new organisation. This was the logical moment to redesign the digital information and communication environment, with attention to the specific needs of different audiences.
The challenge
The challenge was not only technical, but above all organisational and content-related. Two organisations, each with its own culture, way of working and digital environment, came together. That meant:
Our approach
The programme was shaped in co-creation with staff and students from the organisation. From the start, user research, audience-led design and information architecture were central. Technology was not leading; the question was how different groups look for and use information, and how best to respond to that.
Input was actively gathered from both audiences to understand what they need from an intranet. On that basis, the optimal layout, structure and navigation were determined. The focus was explicitly on relevance, ease of use and adoption: a platform that not only works technically, but that people genuinely want and are able to use.
The solution
The result is MijnFirda: a new social intranet that serves as the organisation's central information and communication platform. The chosen intranet solution is deeply integrated with Microsoft 365, giving staff and students access to news, documents, tools and interaction from one environment.
A mobile app was also developed, so MijnFirda is not limited to the desktop. Whether it is a teacher on location, a student on the move or an employee at the office, information is always within reach. The platform accommodates the different information needs within one organisation without fragmenting the experience.
Outcomes
Audience-led
A better fit with the diverse information needs of staff and students.
Modern experience
A contemporary digital user experience that suits a new organisation.
Coherent communication
More coherence in internal communication and information provision.
Future-proof foundation
A scalable basis that grows with Firda's development.
Mobile access
Information and interaction available on any device, including on the move.
Microsoft 365 integration
Seamless connection with the organisation's existing Microsoft 365 landscape.
Ready for a new digital environment?
A merger, reorganisation or growth ambition is the ideal moment to revisit internal communication and information provision. A well-designed social intranet connects people, simplifies information flows and strengthens an organisation's identity.
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