Have you ever come across the term “wiki” and wondered what it means?
Imagine having something similar to Wikipedia for your personal or team use. It’s like having a private hub where you and your colleagues can work together on projects, keep important documents safe, and access all your work in one place with a simple click.
Whether you’re a big company or a small business, wikis have become a crucial way to gather all your essential information in one spot. They’ve replaced the need for old-fashioned printed employee guides or sending style tips through emails that get lost.
In this article, we’ll explore the concept of a wiki, look at examples of what people usually store in them, and even guide you on how to make your wiki.
Let’s get started!
What is a Wiki?
A wiki is a type of collaborative website or platform that allows multiple users to create, edit, and organize content collaboratively. The term “wiki” comes from the Hawaiian word “wikiwiki,” which means “quick” or “fast.” The defining feature of a wiki is its open and editable nature, enabling users to easily contribute and modify content without requiring extensive technical knowledge or coding skills.
The most well-known example of a wiki is Wikipedia. This online encyclopedia allows volunteers worldwide to write and edit articles on various topics.
Internal Wiki vs. External Wiki
In the world of information sharing, there are two main types of wikis: internal and external. These wikis serve different purposes and cater to different audiences. Let’s look at what sets them apart and when to use each type.
| Aspect | Internal Wiki | External Wiki |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Collaboration within the organization | Public information sharing and engagement |
| Access | Restricted to authorized team members | Open to anyone interested |
| Content | Sensitive data, business documents | Product specs, support info, open-source |
| Security | High, content is kept within the team | Lower, content accessible to the public |
| Audience | Limited to the internal team | Broad audience, including the general public |
| Growth Adaptability | May require transition as team grows | Scales well to engage a larger user base |
| Decision Factors | Need for secure collaboration | Desire to share information with everyone |
Choosing the Right Fit for Your Team
Consider your goals when deciding which type of wiki is right for your team. Do you need a secure space for internal collaboration, document management, and sharing sensitive data? Then, an internal wiki is your best bet. It keeps your confidential information within the team and safeguards your privacy.
Alternatively, an external wiki is more suitable if you’re all about engaging with a wider audience. This wiki type helps you establish a virtual presence where people can access information conveniently.
As your team grows and evolves, your wiki needs might change, too. It’s crucial to think ahead. Will your current wiki be sufficient as your team expands? If not, you might need to transition to a different wiki type.
Related: Internal Wiki vs. External Wiki: The Key Differences You Need to Know!
How Can You Use Internal Wiki?
A wiki is a versatile tool that can cater to various organizational needs. It promotes knowledge sharing, collaboration, and streamlined communication across departments and teams.
- Store technical documentation such as how-to guides and tutorials.
- Organize meeting notes and minutes for easy reference.
- Centralize company policies and guidelines to ensure clarity.
- Manage project plans and timelines to track progress.
- Archive reports and analysis for future reference.
- Compile customer service resources like FAQs.
- Maintain team contact information and organizational charts.
- Share news and updates to keep everyone informed.
- Document best practices and procedures for consistent workflows.
- Host employee handbooks and HR policies.
- Provide help desk resources for technical problem-solving.
How To Create a Wiki?
Have you ever wanted to create a wiki?
It’s not as complicated as it might sound. A wiki is like a website where you and your team can collaborate and share information. Whether you want to keep things internal for your organization or make them public for everyone to access, here’s how you can get started:
Step 1: Decide the Type of Wiki
Think about why you’re creating a wiki. Are you onboarding new team members, making meetings more efficient, or storing company info? Clearly defining your goals will help you stay focused.
Then, consider whether you want an internal or external wiki. If you’re thinking about sharing information within your organization, an internal wiki is the way to go. But if you’re aiming to make information available to the public, then an external wiki is what you need.
Step 2: Choose Your Platform
Now it’s time to choose where your wiki will live. There are different software options available, each with its features. If you’re part of a large company, software like MediaWiki, which powers Wikipedia, might be a good fit. Simpler options like DokuWiki or Google Sites could work well for smaller businesses. If you want user-friendly software with extra features, Tettra is a premium option for beginners.
With various wiki software options available, pick one that suits your needs. Some are complex with advanced features, while others are simpler and organize existing documents.
Related: Discover the Best Wiki Software: Its Types and Benefits
Step 3: Set Rules and Guidelines
Security and community are essential when starting a wiki. Work with your IT department to ensure your content follows company policies and laws. Establish community guidelines, too, to prevent irrelevant or incorrect information. Setting style rules and deciding how edits will be handled can help keep your wiki organized. Introduce the wiki software to your team through a meeting. Explain how it works in its design, and get everyone on board.
Step 4: Add Content
Now comes the fun part – adding content to your wiki! Make sure to structure your wiki in a user-friendly way. You can use categories, tags, and links to make navigation easier. Start by listing the main topics your wiki will cover and organize them into categories. You can also use department names as categories. Internal links will help readers find related content quickly.
Tip: Identify Key Contributors. Determine who in your organization has specialized and institutional knowledge. These individuals can be valuable contributors to your wiki.
Step 5: Assign Roles and Permissions
As your wiki grows, you’ll want different people to contribute. Assigning roles and access levels ensures that only the right people can edit specific content. For instance, customer service reps might have access to certain pages, while the marketing team could have broader access. This keeps things organized and prevents accidental edits.
Use Templates: Starting from scratch can be daunting. Utilize templates to make the process faster and more organized.
Creating a wiki might seem overwhelming, but with these steps and tips, you’ll be well on your way to building a valuable resource for your team or the wider public.
Read More: 10 Corporate Wiki Best Practices and How Implement Them?
Final Thoughts
Making a wiki site isn’t as complex as it might seem. It’s about having a plan and being dedicated. You can establish a thriving wiki without much hassle by using suitable software and security steps, along with clear community rules and steady updates.
The best way to approach making a wiki is to take it step by step. Start by sharing the most crucial and correct details and then gather input. As you become more confident in the content and organization, you’re ready to unveil the wiki to your group.
Happy wiki-making!
Further Reads:
Company Wiki: What it is & Why You Need it For Your Business?
Top 10 Benefits of Using a Cloud-Based Company Wiki!
Corporate Wiki Guide for All types of Businesses!
Company Wiki vs Blog: What are the Differences & the Similarities?
Company Wiki Vs Knowledge Base: Understanding The Key Differences!
