An intranet site is only as good as its content. No matter how much form and function goes into the framework, it is the transfer of information that drives intranet success.
Most organizations launch into intranet design with company goals as the focus.
But, making the site useful to the employee and partner needs to come first. If users don't find immediate value in using the intranet, they won't use it. Finding the common ground in the user and business goals is the key, and once those goals are defined, it is relatively easy to determine what information is required for the site, what other systems need to be integrated, and who needs to be involved in contributing and reviewing content. An analogy to the user scenario approach can be found in your own sales departments. This department sets quotas and gives salespeople tools and road maps for meeting their goals by treating prospects one way, upselling current customers another, and providing service that prevents attrition.