Using a Process Framework as a Taxonomy

Organizations need not begin with a blank sheet of paper in developing a content taxonomy. Functioning as a “common language,” a taxonomy is a hierarchy of categories used to classify content by moving from broad categories to increasingly narrow ones. An enterprise taxonomy can promote consistency across media types, business areas, and locations. A taxonomy also supports business analytics by allowing organizations to easily monitor content usage statistics and trends, such as which content topic areas receive the most downloads. Essentially, a taxonomy provides a multidimensional framework for classifying and arranging content so that users can better navigate an organization’s resources. This article delineates how to use a process framework as a taxonomy.