How Long Does a SharePoint Intranet Project Take?
Planning a SharePoint intranet? Learn typical timelines for implementation—from simple sites to full custom intranets. Factors that affect duration and how to plan.
Introduction
One of the first questions when planning a SharePoint intranet is: How long will it take? The answer depends on scope, complexity, and your organization’s readiness. This article outlines typical timelines and what influences them.
Typical SharePoint Intranet Timelines
2–3 Weeks: Lightweight Setup
- Single communication site or hub
- Basic branding and navigation
- A few document libraries and news
- Minimal custom development
Best for: Small teams, pilot projects, or quick wins.
3–5 Weeks: Standard Custom Intranet
- Hub site architecture
- Custom branding and layout
- Employee directory, news hub, HR portal basics
- Document management with metadata
- Integration with Teams, Power Automate
Best for: Mid-size organizations with clear requirements. This is the most common range for custom SharePoint intranet development.
6–12 Weeks: Enterprise Implementation
- Multiple hubs and sites
- Complex governance and permissions
- Custom apps (SPFx, Power Apps)
- Migration from legacy systems
- Multi-language, multi-region
- Extensive training and change management
Best for: Large organizations, regulated industries, or projects that include SharePoint migration.
Factors That Affect Duration
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Scope | More sites, features, and integrations = longer timeline |
| Requirements clarity | Clear, agreed requirements speed things up |
| Stakeholder availability | Delays in feedback and sign-off add time |
| Migration | Moving content from old systems adds weeks |
| Custom development | SPFx, Power Apps, or workflows extend the project |
| Change management | Training and adoption activities add to the schedule |
How to Shorten the Timeline
- Start with a focused scope – Prioritize must-haves; add more in later phases.
- Use out-of-the-box where possible – Modern SharePoint and Teams cover many needs without custom code.
- Assign a dedicated project owner – One person to drive decisions and feedback.
- Plan content and governance early – Don’t wait until go-live to define ownership and structure.
Conclusion
Most SharePoint intranet projects fall in the 2–5 week range when scope is well defined. Enterprise or migration-heavy projects often need 6–12 weeks. A free consultation can help you estimate a realistic timeline for your situation.
Ready to plan your intranet? Request a consultation.