Information Architecture for the World Wide Web, Second Edition

Controlled Vocabularies

There are two primary types of work products associated with the development of controlled vocabularies. First, you’ll need metadata matrixes that facilitate discussion about the prioritization of vocabularies (see Table 12-1 for an example). Second, you’ll need an application that enables you to manage the vocabulary terms and relationships.

Table 12-1.  A metadata matrix for 3Com

Vocabulary	Description	Examples	Maintenance
Subject	Terms that describe networking.	Home networking; Servers	Difficult
Product type	Types of products that 3Com sells.	Hubs; Modems	Moderate
Product name	Names of products that 3Com sells.	PC Digital WebCam	Difficult
Product brand	Brands of products that 3Com sells.	HomeConnect; SuperStack	Easy
Technology	Types of technologies associated with products.	ISDN; Broadband; Frame relay	Moderate
Protocols	Types of standards and protocols associated with products.	TCP/IP; Ethernet	Moderate
Hardware	Types of devices that products are used in.	PDA; Wireless phone; Internet appliances; PC	Moderate
Geographic location: region	Name of geographic region.	Europe; APR	Easy
Geographic location: country	Name of country.	Germany; Czech Republic	Easy
Language	Name of language.	German; Czech	Easy
Technology applications	Names of applications for technologies.	Call center; E-business	Moderate
Industries	Types of industries that 3Com works with.	Healthcare; Government	Easy
Audiences	Kinds of audiences ...