Emily Clarke

Tips to Simplify Your Metadata Management

Good metadata management techniques can help organizations make full use of data assets. Metadata improves accessibility while maximizing searchability, reusability and interoperability. However, many companies lack the resources for manual tagging.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to simplify metadata management and make the most out of your assets.

Linked Metadata

Also known as "distant metadata," this approach requires you to use existing metadata. Data management software can identify existing groups to which a piece of content belongs. For example, management software can assign content based on topic or style.

Linked metadata has the advantage of scalability. The only manual work involved is managing the relationships between elements. You can scale up and expand without taking on any more manual tagging.

Auto-Categorization

Here's another technique that can significantly reduce the amount of manual work your data teams must complete. It may require more training and management than linked metadata. But once up and running, the management approach is quick and scalable.

Data management software will use auto-categorization to put content in separate folders. The methods it uses to do that vary. Tools can be rule-based or use pattern-matching. Natural language processing can also apply.

Batch Management

Batch management still requires manual tagging, but the approach is far more efficient than working with individual pieces of content. A custom interface allows you to select and group related data in one go. Apply relevant tags in batches to work through tagging duties more efficiently. Typically, batch management is the go-to approach when other tagging methods aren't as efficient for your needs.

Implied Metadata

Implied metadata management uses software to pull data from content. The software quickly analyzes the content and derives relevant information for tagging. Creating implied metadata is quick and doesn't require substantial costs like other management techniques.

Entity Extraction

Entity extraction is an ideal approach for text-based content. Tools will use natural language processing technology to flag identifiable objects like people, places and things. That extracted information then serves as metadata.

While older entity extraction systems were rife with problems, the technology continues to improve. Recent tools are accurate, making this approach more viable than ever.

Author Resource:-

Emily Clarke writes about the best data catalog tools and data analysis softwares. You can find her thoughts at data dictionary blog.