How to Choose the Right SharePoint Development Strategy for Your Organization

SharePoint is a versatile platform that allows businesses to develop and deploy custom solutions tailored to their unique needs. However, choosing the right SharePoint development strategy for your organization can be challenging. In this article, we’ll explore the different SharePoint development strategies and provide guidance on how to choose the right one for your organization.

What is SharePoint Development?

It involves creating custom solutions using SharePoint’s development tools and APIs. SharePoint provides several development options, including:

• SharePoint Designer: A free tool that allows non-developers to create custom workflows, forms, and pages using a drag-and-drop interface.
• PowerApps: A cloud-based service that allows businesses to create custom business applications and forms without writing code.
• SharePoint Framework: A development model that allows developers to create custom solutions using modern web technologies such as React, Angular, and Vue.
• Visual Studio: A development environment that provides a wide range of tools for building SharePoint solutions, including templates, debugging, and testing tools.

 

Choosing the Right SharePoint Development Strategy

Choosing the right SharePoint development strategy for your organization depends on several factors, including your business needs, technical expertise, and budget. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when selecting a development strategy:

1. Business Needs

The first step in choosing a SharePoint development strategy is to identify your business needs. What kind of solution do you need? Do you need a custom workflow, form, or page? Do you need a custom application? Once you have identified your business needs, you can then evaluate the different development options and choose the one that best fits your needs.

2. Technical Expertise

Another key consideration when selecting a SharePoint development strategy is your technical expertise. Do you have in-house developers who are familiar with SharePoint development? If not, you may want to consider a development strategy that requires less technical expertise, such as PowerApps or SharePoint Designer. On the other hand, if you have a team of experienced developers, you may want to consider using Visual Studio or SharePoint Framework.

3. Budget

Budget is another important factor to consider when selecting a SharePoint development strategy. Some development options, such as SharePoint Designer and PowerApps, are free or have minimal costs. However, more advanced development options, such as SharePoint Framework and Visual Studio, require licensing fees and may require additional resources, such as servers and development environments.

4. Deployment Options

Another consideration when selecting a SharePoint development strategy is the deployment options. Do you want to deploy your solution on-premises or in the cloud? Some development options, such as SharePoint Framework and Visual Studio, allow for both on-premises and cloud deployment. Other options, such as PowerApps, are cloud-only.

5. Integration with Other Systems

Finally, you’ll want to consider how your SharePoint solution will integrate with other systems. Do you need to integrate with other applications or data sources? Some development options, such as PowerApps, provide built-in integration with other Microsoft applications and data sources. Other options, such as SharePoint Framework and Visual Studio, allow for more advanced integration capabilities but may require additional development effort.

Read also → Top Industries That Use Microsoft SharePoint

Choosing the Right SharePoint Development Tool

Once you’ve considered the key factors outlined above, you can evaluate the different SharePoint development options and choose the one that best fits your needs. Here’s a closer look at each development option:

1. SharePoint Designer

It is a free tool that allows non-developers to create custom workflows, forms, and pages using a drag-and-drop interface. SharePoint Designer is a good option if you have the limited technical expertise and need to create simple custom solutions quickly and easily.

2. PowerApps

It is a cloud-based service that allows businesses to create custom business applications and forms without writing code. PowerApps provides a range of templates and connectors that make integrating with other Microsoft applications and data sources easy. Microsoft PowerApps is a good option if you need to create custom solutions quickly and easily without requiring extensive technical expertise.

3. SharePoint Framework

It is a development model that allows developers to create custom solutions using modern web technologies such as React, Angular, and Vue. SharePoint Framework provides a range of tools and templates for building custom solutions and allows for both on-premises and cloud deployment. SharePoint Framework is a good option if you have a team of experienced developers and need to create complex custom solutions that integrate with other systems.

4. Visual Studio

It is a development environment that provides a wide range of tools for building SharePoint solutions, including templates, debugging, and testing tools. Visual Studio is a good option if you have a team of experienced developers and need to create complex custom solutions that require advanced integration capabilities.

Choosing the Right SharePoint Development Partner

If you don’t have in-house SharePoint development expertise, or if you need additional resources to complete your project, you may want to consider working with a SharePoint development partner. When selecting a SharePoint development partner, there are several factors to consider:

1. Experience

The first factor to consider when selecting a SharePoint development partner is experience. You’ll want to choose a partner with experience building custom solutions for organizations similar to yours.

2. Technical Expertise

Another important factor to consider when selecting a SharePoint development partner is technical expertise. You’ll want to choose a partner with experienced developers who are familiar with the SharePoint development tools and APIs.

3. Communication &Collaboration

Communication and collaboration are also important factors to consider when selecting a SharePoint development partner. You’ll want to choose a partner who is responsive to your needs and provides regular updates on the project’s progress.

4. Budget

Finally, you’ll want to consider the partner’s pricing and ensure that it aligns with your budget. Some partners may charge a fixed fee for a project, while others may charge hourly rates.

Conclusion

Choosing the right SharePoint development strategy and partner can be a complex process. However, by considering the factors outlined above, you can make an informed decision that meets your organization’s needs. Whether you choose SharePoint Designer, PowerApps, Visual Studio, SharePoint Framework, or a combination of these tools; SharePoint provides a versatile platform for creating custom solutions that improve your business processes and operations. By working with an experienced SharePoint development partner, you can leverage the full power of SharePoint to transform your organization and achieve your business goals.