Have you wondered what makes some SharePoint projects succeed where other SharePoint projects fail? Have you wondered why your SharePoint project struggles from time to time? Have you ever wanted a roadmap to help you avoid all of the swamps and rocky terrain that seem to make SharePoint harder than it should be?

SharePoint projects can be easy or difficult depending upon what you're trying to do, the organization's make up, and the way you manage the project. The seven keys below are designed to help you increase your chances of success as much as possible.

Key #1: Honestly evaluate

Before you start your SharePoint project -- or when you have to review the performance of a roll-out that is in progress -- it's important to honestly evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. An honest assessment of what you're good at is very difficult. In twelve-step programs that have a self-assessment step it's typically the step that most people get stuck on. It's hard to accept what you don't do well.

However, SharePoint projects can be unforgiving in areas of configuration management, project management, understanding of server infrastructure, network fundamentals, etc. Any one of these areas can quickly become a major problem in a SharePoint implementation, so knowing what you're not good at and may need to seek help for is essential to ensuring that your project is successful.

Most people approach SharePoint from the perspective that it's an easy product ... and it can be. However, SharePoint projects can be similar to large-scale ERP implementations. These types of installations require excellent project management skills to pull off. If you know that you're struggling with any particular issues, consider what impact this might have on your project and develop strategies for mitigating those risks.