Many companies consider the term enterprise search to be a stand-alone technology application. This misconception is largely driven by users' experiences with public search engines. Public search engines are intentionally designed to reach the broadest audience and have something for everyone. In contrast, enterprise search should be a strategic implementation of search services to enhance the execution of business processes. Parroting the public search engine metaphor inside the enterprise may deliver nothing to anyone.
Principles for Success
Projects that involve search technology should be approached like any other business or IT project. Due diligence must be paid to each phase of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), including business requirements gathering, solution selection, integration, user interface design, testing, and deployment. The following principles can help guide any search related project, as well as guide a broader enterprise search strategy.