How to Create a Metadata Schema in 5 Easy Steps

Emily Kolvitz MLIS University of OklahomaProduct Consultant at Bynder

Determining Records of Enduring Value

● Using Asset Appraisal Analysis (adapted from ICA’s Shared Network Drives Appraisal Analysis) http://www.ica-sae.org/index.html

● You need a metadata schema, but first you must ask yourself, what am I trying to describe? Determine what records should be included in this scope before trying to design a schema.

Appraisal

Appraise records of enduring value using the asset appraisal analysis tool:

https://docs.google.com/a/labela.nl/document/d/1rVr-XYaD8sORhxyWVF4dJeCNHzkoqMb2CZqzZ_eAXUg/edit?usp=sharing

Analyze Your Data Points & Visualize your SchemaGreat Tools for Visualizing your Schema:

-xMind - Free Versionhttps://www.xmind.net/

-Whiteboarding - Ideas Anywhere! Idea Paint http://www.ideapaint.com/

Make a concept map of related data points. Analyze existing search behavior or existing metadata schemas if available - prune and curate.

Check file-naming standards & required metadata fields, decide relationships between fields, map out dependencies & hierarchical relationships. Use a whiteboard and your imagination.

Create & Document Schema

Create a Metadata Dictionary (Description, Field Type, Relationships, Data Field Names and Labels).

Metadata Field NameMetadata LabelType of Data FieldDescription of FieldValuesRelationships to other Data Fields

Finalization of Schema

● Test the Schema for accuracy and relevance

● Implement the Schema● Analyze search behavior with

new schema (look at search analytics, failed and successful searches, e-mails to support and more.)

References

ICA Digital Preservation Modeules http://www.ica-sae.org/index.html

Asset Appraisal Tool Emily Kolvitz https://docs.google.com/a/labela.nl/document/d/1rVr-XYaD8sORhxyWVF4dJeCNHzkoqMb2CZqzZ_eAXUg/edit?usp=sharing -xMind - Free Versionhttps://www.xmind.net/

-Whiteboarding - Ideas Anywhere! Idea Paint http://www.ideapaint.com/