Archimedia’s bespoke approach uses a unique four-step process to design a Metadata Model that works for your organization, meets your unique needs, and lets you take full advantage of your chosen Digital Asset Management system.

Module One: Gathering Intelligence

After an introductory session to set expectations, clarify objectives and review a few key DAM basics, we’ll conduct one-on-one interviews or small workshop sessions (usually no more than 4 or 5 individuals at a time) with all the relevant members of your team who will be involved in every aspect of your Digital Asset Management system, from coders to front-end users.

This will allow us to gather the information and intelligence we need to design the right solution for your organization. We’ll also set out an initial roadmap for how, and when, the rest of the design stages will occur.

Module Two: Designing your Metadata Model

Next, we’ll draw on our findings from the first module to sketch out the main structure and components of your Metadata Model, either offering specific recommendations or by engaging in further discussions with your key stakeholders. This includes finding the answers to questions like:

• Do you need a faceted taxonomy model, a hierarchical taxonomy model, or a hybrid version that combines elements of both approaches?

• What are the key facets, attributes, terms, and high-level organizational needs your model will have to address?

• If your DAM system involves a hybrid model, which information will fall into each type of taxonomy to make sure you achieve the best results?

Depending on the complexity of your DAM system, this stage may also include follow-up meetings or workshops dedicated to more focused topics, such as information about digital rights management or a card-sorting session for a hierarchical taxonomy.

Module Three: Presenting a Draft Model

Once all your needs and preferences are thoroughly discussed and understood, we’ll present a working draft of your customized Metadata Model in-system for your review and feedback. This could involve a single working session or several sessions focusing on different aspects of your DAM system, taxonomy and overall information architecture.

At this stage, we’ll also listen closely to any and all feedback from you and your key users, to make sure we incorporate any comments, questions or requests into your final model.

Module Four: Final Metadata Model and Other Deliverables

Lastly, we’ll present you with a final, fully integrated Metadata Model configured to your specific DAM system, and seamlessly customized to let you classify, organize, describe and retrieve your digital assets quickly and easily.

To help you get up to speed on your new system, we’ll give you or the designated members of your team a thorough walk-through to show you how your new metadata model works in your system. We’ll also provide you with a complete set of follow-up materials to make sure you get the most out of your Metadata Model, including:

•  Metadata Guide, Governance Documents and Dictionary documenting your taxonomies and attributes, and providing relevant notes on intended uses, term selection, value options, and any special circumstances or exceptions.

• Training materials including documents or videos to teach both new and existing users how to tag assets according to your new model.