How to Create a Metadata Schema that Doesn't suck in 5 Easy Steps: Metadata Schema Development Process

2. How to Create a Metadata Schema in 5 Easy Steps
Emily Kolvitz
MLIS University of Oklahoma
Product Consultant at Bynder

3. 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.

4. 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

5. Analyze Your Data Points & Visualize your
Schema
Great Tools for Visualizing your Schema:
-xMind - Free Version
https://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.

6. Create & Document Schema
Create a Metadata Dictionary
(Description, Field Type,
Relationships, Data Field
Names and Labels).
Metadata Field Name
Metadata Label
Type of Data Field
Description of Field
Values
Relationships to other Data Fields

7. 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.)

8. 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 Version
https://www.xmind.net/
-Whiteboarding - Ideas Anywhere!
Idea Paint
http://www.ideapaint.com/