Inter-American Development Bank Institutional Knowledge Repository Controlled Vocabularies

This session discusses efforts to integrate, merge and map the Bank's existing vocabularies to provide a common way to classify knowledge products for increased accessibility, visibility, and findability, both internally and on the web. With varying needs across countries, sectors, and roles, vocabularies grew organically and often in isolation of others used within the institution. The resulting inconsistencies in terminology, vocabulary structure, usage, and contextual application created information silos, influenced tagging and classification procedures, and the users’ ability to browse and search effectively. Hear how the Institutional Knowledge Repository Project focused on creating a consensual controlled vocabulary and enhancing accessibility and visibility of the Bank's knowledge products with four components: incorporation of an enterprisewide search engine; configuration of a repository platform; creation of governance and management policies and processes; and a controlled vocabulary. Thirteen Bank departments are actively involved in the vocabulary working group, developing and maintaining relevance, consistency, and consensus. Learn the steps taken, including an analysis of existing institutional vocabularies, the development of a vocabulary strategy, drafting of a governance structure, and creation of an initial faceted vocabulary.

Kyle Strand, Knowledge and Learning Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank
Joseph Busch, Founder & Principal, Taxonomy Strategies LLC
Heather Hedden, Taxonomy Consultant, Earley & Associates