Chapter 6 - Business Metadata Capture

Abstract

This chapter discusses the challenges of capturing business metadata directly from businesspeople. Examples of types of business metadata that require special capture mechanisms from businesspeople are business terms, definitions of business terms, linking of business terms to the data elements of one or more systems, business rules, optimal ways of performing the job (“knowledge artifacts”; knowledge encyclopedia entries), and categorization (of business terms, documents, web pages, etc.). The chapter begins by discussing why knowledge capture is so important. Business metadata, after all, exists for businesspeople to use, and it should reflect their point of view. There has to be a way (and a place) to capture their perspective so that it can be accessed by other businesspeople. This chapter attempts to define what the corporate knowledge base really is and how it represents this business point of view. Following this, the discussion extends to encourage businesspeople to share their valuable insights and information and presents various technologies that can support knowledge capture. In addition, the chapter covers the subject of capturing knowledge from both individuals and groups or communities of users. The interesting aspect of metadata or knowledge capture from individuals is the ability of the individual to directly benefit from this exercise. A special kind of stewardship called “Governance Lite” which presents one way to balance the need for some governance with knowledge capture requirements is explored. In the process, this chapter investigates some of the unique features of the knowledge capture culture as it pertains to governance. The role of publicity in encouraging people to share their valuable knowledge is also discussed. Individual knowledge capture is revisited, and practical ideas are presented to help one be more productive in capturing one's moments of brilliance and insight so one can remember them later.