Introduction to Microsoft SharePoint

What is SharePoint?

SharePoint is a collaborative platform designed to facilitate teamwork and streamline document management within organizations. It enables you to create websites, manage content, share information, and collaborate seamlessly across teams, enhancing productivity and communication.

There are two types of SharePoint sites:

A SharePoint team site is designed for collaboration among team members.
A SharePoint communication site is designed for broadcasting information to a wide audience.

Faculty, staff, and students at Pomona College have access to SharePoint as part of Microsoft 365. To access SharePoint, go to office.com and log in with your Pomona credentials. Click on the "waffle" menu at the top left of the page to view your list of apps. Then click on SharePoint.

What type of SharePoint site is right for me?

See the table below to learn about the differences between team sites and communication sites.

Team Site Communication Site

Purpose

Designed for collaboration among team members. Designed primarily for broadcasting information to a wide audience.

Audience

Used by teams or small groups who need to collaborate closely on shared documents, plans, and tasks. Typically used by departments, leadership teams, or project managers to communicate with the entire organization or a broad audience.

Design and Layout

Simpler, with a focus on functionality and collaboration. Web parts often include document libraries, task lists, calendars, and Microsoft Teams integration. Focuses on visually appealing designs with rich multimedia content. It can include web parts like hero banners, news, events, and highlighted content.

Content Ownership

Managed collectively by the team. All team members usually have equal permission to contribute and modify content. Typically managed by a smaller group of content creators or administrators who control what gets published. Permissions Typically, all members have edit access, allowing them to add and change content freely. More restricted, with fewer people having edit access. Most users are viewers who consume the content. Examples of Use Project management sites, department collaboration spaces, team document libraries. Department portals, department announcements, resource libraries.