Step 1. Build your metadata taskforce

Owned by Niek van Ulzen
Last updated: Dec 20, 2024
2 min read

status: in Review

Short description

To develop a domain-specific metadata schema a dedicated and multidisciplinary metadata development team (hereafter, metadata taskforce) is needed consisting of domain experts, metadata experts and (semantic) modeling experts. Ideally, the domain should bring in their own modeling experts; if this is not possible for whatever reason, arrangements with Health-RI should be made about extra modeling support (see Step 0. Intake). The taskforce may be complemented by representatives from the domain that can review the proposed model or have the mandate to make decisions for that domain. 

For people involved in the metadata taskforce, it is highly recommended to have some background knowledge of DCAT and DCAT-AP, or at least have a willingness to invest time into understanding it. This doesn’t mean everyone in the task force needs to be a DCAT expert, but some base line helps to understand the Health-RI core metadata schema, since domain-specific models (“petals”) should connect to DCAT in order to be compatible with the Health-RI core and health metadata schema.

Deliverables

Deliverable

Description

Deliverable

Description

List of people in the metadata taskforce

A group of people from the domain that can work dedicated on developing a domain-specific, Health-RI compliant metadata schema.

RACI-matrix

To make sure that the metadata taskforce can do its work properly, a RACI-matrix can be considered (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed; see also here). Such a matrix helps to clarify roles and responsibilities within a domain regarding who is Responsible for the metadata schema development (e.g., the metadata taskforce), who is Accountable or has the final say within the domain, who should be Consulted or should review the schema on quality, completeness and compatibility, and who should only be Informed (e.g. the entire domain).

How

  1. Identifying metadata taskforce members. Gather relevant experts (domain experts, metadata experts and (semantic) modeling experts).

  2. Defining roles. Assign a team lead (and co-lead), specialists/experts, and contributors. The metadata taskforce should not consist of too many people because that may hamper effective development (3 to 8 people). The taskforce could be supported, for example, by a group of reviewers (contributors) that gives feedback once in a while on the concept metadata schemas; and/or by a decision body that approves modeling decisions. Ideally, this is documented in a RACI-matrix.

  3. Action plan & communication. Ensure regular collaboration and updates among taskforce members, including working meetings, a plan how to involve the wider community and/or other stakeholders, and a (small) project plan to detail the scope, work to be done, expected efforts and timelines.

HRI hub involvement in this step

  • The HRI Data Team could give further advice on setting up a taskforce 

Further reading