Services
“With what Seth delivered, we can move forward. He also gave us a great road map that works and we can all see where it is going.”
“The CIO likes Seth Earley because he has a methodology and a process for us to follow.”
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Background
The reason organ transplants are a possibility today is because one of The Jackson Laboratory’s Nobel Prize winning scientists discovered what allows for tissue compatibility. Originally formed as a research institution to do basic cancer research, Jackson has grown to be a leader in research, education and support for scientists and the public. In fact, NCI (National Cancer Institute) designated it as one of only 22 cancer centers.
As The Jackson Laboratory has grown, its content has grown exponentially. The amount and types of information the Lab uses and supplies to others has expanded from reports to access to dozens of scientific databases and millions of digital assets (images) plus links into a broad range of information and educational events.
Imagine that you are a scientist anywhere in the world studying a specific disease such as Alzheimer’s. At The Jackson Laboratory website, you can find the right mouse to use in your study of that disease, get up-to-date information on the latest findings and find a conference, workshop or course to further your education. Jackson also offers research services and expertise to other labs and sponsors educational opportunities from sabbaticals through local school outreach programs.
Patricia Eagan, Senior Manager Web Communications understood the critical need for a taxonomy as integral to their strategic plan for enterprise content management. She explains “Because of our growth and research expertise, we had lots of information all over the place and described in different ways.”
The taxonomy was recognized as being key to several initiatives at the Jackson laboratory. One of these initiatives was the implementation of a digital asset management system. Pat explains: “It comes down to people being able to find the images they need to put together their presentation or an executive that needs to do things quickly and should not have to depend upon the multimedia group to go through five thousand CDs and find the images they want.” notes Pat.
Pat also realized that anything they could do to leverage their digital asset and content management internally would also help external scientists’ research and education. Since The Jackson Laboratory website was a key, the ability for visitors to find information easily became another important issue. Discussions of ‘Search’ capabilities indicated the need for taxonomy because; she says “If you want to find your information, you have to speak a common language.”
As a non-profit organization, The Jackson Laboratory website was also important as a portal to government and state agencies and donors to learn about the lab and offer support.
Enter Earley & Associates
To learn more about taxonomies, Pat began searching for an expert. It did not take her long to find Earley & Associates. She purchased and listened to one of Seth Earley’s taxonomy series and liked his approach. She describes her reaction: “He described things in a way that I could understand.”
Pat, along with colleague from the digital asset management project, then attended a conference specifically to participate in Seth’s Taxonomy Workshop. Her co-worker, Doug Macbeth, The Jackson Laboratory Librarian, was also impressed with Seth’s methodology and approach.
Subsequently, IT created a requirements document and, based on Seth’s proposal, decided to bring him in. “He understood the research, he could speak our language, had a methodology and all the abilities.” reports Pat.
The Taxonomy Solution
“It was good. Seth got all the right people into the room. After his discussions with them, we found that there were people that who didn’t even know what other people were doing.” reports Pat. “Seth had specific exercises that were part of the methodology and really helped people understand the vision and the big idea of taxonomy”
After that workshop, Seth conducted in-depth interviews to understand individuals’ specific needs and how their information was stored. “I was impressed with the stable of experts that Seth has from the field. He brought all the right people together in the workshop; he ran it well, explained things well and conducted great interviews.”
Seth used a variety of tools, which are also part of his methodology, to analyze The Jackson Laboratory’s various data stores, content and needs. In a very short period of time, Seth delivered a ‘straw man’ taxonomy which provided a good road map and structure. Pat was impressed with the quality and level of detail delivered by Seth, which exceeded IT’s expectations. Seth has something that works and he knows how to apply it.” Pat reports.
Pat invited Seth to present the taxonomy to senior management. As you might expect, some were skeptical. “Seth really had the people engaged and his presentation was well received.” The CIO asked Seth to offer his recommendations on their enterprise content management and technical needs as input to their 5 year strategic plan
Implementation and Measuring the Success of Taxonomy
“With what Seth delivered, we can move forward. He also gave us a great road map that works and we can all see where it is going.”
Pat expects substantial benefits when the taxonomy is implemented in standardization, time and cost. For example, it will be more efficient for staff to find and use the right images and accepted logos. From the web perspective, people will be able to easily find what they need on the website whether it is information, mice or research. It is anticipated that the website will leverage funding and donations.
Even More Benefits to The Jackson Laboratory Taxonomy Project
Pat found that one of the greatest benefits of Earley & Associates’ work was that people across the enterprise understood her vision and the need for a taxonomy.
Pat reports “The CIO was really impressed. People were nodding their heads. They understand the big project and why it needed their attention.”
There has also been an important networking benefits to Pat. “Seth has a great reputation, is proactive in the industry and associated with a professional organization. And he knows the right people to connect you with. If I hear about a great presentation, Seth’s name is mentioned.”
Summary
IT is moving forward with their 5 year strategic plan using the taxonomy.
“Seth has raised the bar and recognition of what content management is and what a taxonomy does. He introduced terms into vocabularies where they were not there before. Now people understand that in order to deliver what we need to deliver, we must to do this work and put the proper systems and structures in place. It’s not a simple thing like just buying a big piece of technology or a better search engine. You have to work with the content.” summarizes Pat