Editor's note: I asked Maura to write this chapter because I’ve seen how good she is in action, working with clients to set the scope of a taxonomy project, making it meaningful, measurable and, most of all, realistic. As is true for any technology project, a good foundation and plan is essential (even if the plan evolves along the way). A taxonomy is a business artefact that will, with the right care and attention, deliver value to an organisation for years to come.

Introduction

As an information professional, you understand that improving your organisation's use of taxonomies can solve some of its challenges. Maybe you’ve got a problem with search, or you need to improve navigation options. Maybe you need to support a recommendation engine or a chatbot. Or maybe you just need to classify your content accurately in order to get a handle on managing your content at scale. Better use of taxonomy will help, but how do you persuade your stakeholders to invest the time and money required? And where do you start with your taxonomy project?

Whether your organisation is large or small, commercial or non-commercial, the need to secure business buy-in and scope the project correctly is the same. In this chapter I’ll share best practices and case studies that offer insight into:

• • how to secure (and maintain) buy-in for your taxonomy project

• • how to scope and prioritise your taxonomy development and Investment

• • how to maintain this investment and support in the future.

Throughout this chapter, I talk about ‘adding a taxonomy’ or ‘your taxonomy approach’. I’m using this to cover a multitude of scenarios, including starting from scratch, improving the taxonomies you’ve got or expanding the scope or use of taxonomy. The approach outlined below is relevant to many different scenarios.

Getting started

First, you need to have a clear view of what the project will deliver, the challenges you’re trying to address and how you think the taxonomy project will help address these challenges. This whole process will be iterative, and you’ll have a chance to adapt your hypotheses and refine your plan as you go along. As a first step:

• 1 Think about the benefits that the taxonomy project will bring, being as specific as you can:

• • If you’re looking for efficiency gains, define which specific changes to your workflow will create these efficiencies, and how.