« Getting Promoted | Main | Imposed Structure and Chaos »

October 25, 2006

Collaborative Metadata

Traditionally, metadata repositories are built for the data warehouse environment which by definition creates an environment where only a few people control the inflow of information. Contrary to lofty expectations, the majority of users of the repository fall short of expectations. When we have a knowledge store where the information is controlled by a few and utilized by a few then we have created a channel communication.

Ideally, the repository would be utilized by the masses within the organization which would indicate we have a communication platform. Now, the definition of a few and many can be debated but the harsh truth is that getting metadata information for the business end user is a huge challenge. Take a simple example of a logical model. How many average business users are going to be able to understand “Crow’s Foot” notation?
Therefore, a repository built so that a few people can communicate with a few people is called a channel and one built so that a few people can communicate with many is called a platform. How about one built in such a way that many people can contribute and many people can utilize? Wouldn’t that be a better method of distributing data architecture information? I believe so and the emerging software tools may very well deliver the metadata revolution.

Posted by Todd at October 25, 2006 11:50 AM