More Metadata: Not Needed Metadata

November 21, 2014

I find the metadata hoo hah fascinating. Indexing has been around a long time. If one wants to dig into the complexities of metadata, you may find the table from InfoLibCorp.com helpful:

image

Mid tier consulting firms often do not use the products or systems their “experts” recommend. Consultants in indexing do create elaborate diagrams that make my eyes glaze over.

Some organizations generate metadata without considering what is required. As a result, outputs from the systems can present mind boggling complex options to the user. A report displaying multiple layers  of metadata can be difficult to understand.

My thought is that before giving the green light to promiscuous metadata generation, some analysis and planning may be useful. The time lost trying to figure out which metadata is relevant to a particular issue can be critical.

But consultants and vendors are indeed impressed with flashy graphics. Too many times no one has a clue what the graphics are trying to communicate. The worst offenders are companies that sell visual sizzle to senior managers. The goal is a gasp from the audience when the Hollywood style visualizations are presented. Pass the popcorn. Skip the understanding.

Stephen E Arnold, November 21, 2014

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