Sydney Knowledge Management Forum Derek Jardine Managing Director Information Solutions Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding

User-centred taxonomies What is a taxonomy? Making it user-centred. Methodology Sample projects Discussion Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding

A taxonomy aspires to be.. a correlation of the different ‘languages’ used by the enterprise a support mechanism for navigating around, and gaining access to the intellectual capital of an enterprise a combination of tools such as portal navigation aids, support for search engines, knowledge maps, as well as an authority for tagging documents and other information objects a knowledge base in its own right. Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding (TPLF)

Home > Business and Economy > Companies > Arts & Humanities Literature, Photography... Business & Economy Companies, Finance, Jobs... Computers & Internet Internet, WWW, Software... Education College and University,... Entertainment Cool Links, Movies, Example taxonomy - familiar? Business Libraries Business Opportunities Business Schools Chats and Forums Classifieds Companies Consortia Conventions Cooperatives Education Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding

Benefits of a taxonomy Consistent naming schemes means people can they find relevant material more quickly. The content author is provided with a consistent and up to date vocabulary with which to name and describe content When synonyms are held in the taxonomy, people find assets – even when they use ‘different’ terminology. Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding

Benefits…2 The taxonomy provides a “map” of the information available,and in itself reveals important information about how the organisation sees itself Imprecise user search requests can be clarified Taxonomies make search engines and portals work. Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding

Context and content Analyse the contentIdentify corporate strategy and core business processes Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding Determine how the target audience use information

A possible methodology Identify business need – stakeholder interviews Research – existing classifications, legislation, standards, content inventory Analysis of context – strategy, goals, aspirations, tasks, business process, key decision points, business benefit Identify opportunities to provide multi-faceted categorisation and integrate with a metadata model Develop high level classification Review, test, iterate, and sign-off Develop and sign-off Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding

IAG knowledge base taxonomy Product – Glossary Definitions – Procedures Lifecycle focus – Customer questions – Features and benefits – Customer procedures Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding

An example – Agreed value Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding What is Agreed Value? My Agreed value has dropped, why hasn’t my premium? What are the benefits of Agreed Value? How do I calculate Agreed Value?

An example – Agreed value Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding What is Agreed Value? My Agreed value has dropped, why hasn’t my premium? What are the benefits of an Agreed Value option? How do I calculate Agreed Value? Glossary Procedure/Task Features & Benefits Customer question User focus Classification

Epicurious Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding

In summary – the purpose of a taxonomy Articulate strategic focus Support task completion and decision making Facilitate the creation of quality navigation Arrange content efficiently Help provide context. Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding

Discussion Automated and semi-automated categorisation models Taxonomies within the context of information architecture Taxonomies incorporated into metadata models – AGLS, Dublin Core Information Solutions Stop searching, start finding