Being an Information Manager...

Master reference data and Folksonomy

Building up master reference data in terms of key objects in the company is difficult, but doable. Building up a reference data list in terms of 'information types' (e.g. document types, or other taxonomy) is even more difficult. From experience I can say it is usually a disaster (too much detail, too complex ...). Therefore the concept of a managed Folksonomy is very compelling alternative. It is a Darwinian answer to data management (let the fittest document types survive). The approach could be as follows:

1. Data managers can start with a first cut list of information types and other attributes available for users to pick and choose - the data managers can even do a bit of a mapping exercise to some of the documents, so at least some information is linked to the information types
2. Then users are invited to use the document types for their own publication processes (probably with an accellerated speed if a document type is a mandatory attribute). Allow users to choose from a picklist or to create their own if they don't know what to choose
3. Create statistics and remove the taxonomy entries with a low number of links - invite the users to reclassify if they have used the removed items

Through this gradually the list of types will grow and they will become fit for purpose.

Labels: folksonomy, master reference data

posted by Evert Ruijs @ 10:18 AM