Maximising SharePoint: A practical guide to consulting and implementation

What is SharePoint and why consulting matters

Microsoft SharePoint is a collaborative platform that enables businesses to manage documents, build intranet sites, automate workflows, and share information across teams. On the surface it seems straightforward—create a site, upload documents, start collaborating—but in reality organisations often struggle with configuration, adoption, and integration. That’s where SharePoint consulting enters the picture.

Consulting in this context means working with professionals who understand both the technology and how your business works. They help you align SharePoint’s capabilities with your needs, avoid pitfalls, and get value faster.

An sharepoint consulting involves partnering with experienced professionals who specialise in designing, implementing, and optimising SharePoint solutions tailored to your business needs.

Key benefits of SharePoint consulting

Clarity and Planning

A consultant helps articulate what you actually need—not just “we’ll use SharePoint” but things like reducing document search time or automating approval workflows. Good planning reduces wasted effort and ensures the solution delivers tangible results.

Better Adoption and User Experience

Technology only works if people use it. Consulting often covers training, governance, and user-friendly design to make sure teams adopt SharePoint effectively.

Tailored Integration and Workflows

SharePoint integrates with other systems such as Teams, Power Platform, and OneDrive and supports custom workflows. Consultants help weave these pieces together to create a seamless experience and improve efficiency.

Risk Reduction and Cost Control

Without proper guidance, projects can overshoot budgets, miss deadlines, or deliver systems nobody uses. A consultant helps organisations avoid these issues by planning carefully, identifying risks early, and keeping the project on track.

What to look for before starting a SharePoint consulting engagement

Know Your Goals

Identify the problems you are trying to solve and define your success criteria. Clear goals help consultants provide relevant recommendations and solutions.

Match the Scope and Skills

Decide whether you need one expert or a full consulting team, and whether you require advice, implementation, or ongoing support. The scope of the project determines the level of expertise needed.

Check for Experience and Fit

Look for consultants who ask thoughtful questions about your business, show examples of past work, understand your workflows, and provide clear timeframes and cost estimates.

Prepare Your Organisation

Consulting will not succeed unless your organisation is ready. Ensure you have stakeholder support, clear requirements, a budget, and internal resources to manage the project.

Common services in SharePoint consulting

Migration to SharePoint Online or from older versions
Intranet design using SharePoint for employee portals, news, and communication sites
Document and records management including organising libraries, search, metadata, and retention
Workflow automation and integration using Power Automate or custom apps
Governance and user adoption through training, policies, and governance frameworks

Tips to make your consulting engagement a success

Start small with a pilot area and prove value before scaling
Involve end-users early for feedback and better adoption
Document current business processes and identify areas for improvement
Set measurable outcomes such as time to find a document or number of manual approvals
Plan for change by incorporating training and support
Implement governance without overcomplicating rules to maintain productivity

Make SharePoint your strategic enabler

Engaging a SharePoint consultant can make a real difference in aligning technology with business needs, improving productivity, and delivering measurable outcomes. Success depends not just on hiring a consultant but also on being prepared internally, having clear goals, and committing to change.

With the right approach, SharePoint can become a strategic enabler that transforms the way your organisation collaborates and operates.