Taxonomy Project RFP Considerations

We recently had a prospect ask what they needed to consider as part of their taxonomy RFP. Here are some things to include:

  1. Specific approaches to taxonomy development: steps for term extraction, approaches for automated and manual content audit procedures
  2. Taxonomy testing: What are the methods by which the taxonomy will be tested prior to deployment? What usability tests would be performed and what data would be collected?
  3. Metrics: How will search engine and web tracking metrics be used in deriving the taxonomy?
  4. Integration with content strategy: By what process will taxonomy be integrated with content strategy and content management systems?
  5. Integration with search strategy: How will the taxonomy be leveraged and integrated with search tools and mechanisms?
  6. Success factors: What are the critical success factors for taxonomy project success? How will you ensure that these are met?
  7. Project risks: What are the typical and atypical project risks? Provide a risk mitigation plan for these.
  8. Taxonomy operationalization: List clients for whom you have operationalized the taxonomy. What is the process by which you will ensure proper handoff of the taxonomy?
  9. Organizational buy in: How do you achieve organizational buy in? How are senior managers brought into the process?
  10. Hand off to technical teams: How is the taxonomy delivered for technical implementation?
  11. Tools used: What tools do you use in taxonomy development and testing?
  12. Support model: What kind of support is provided for the taxonomy process after project completion?
  13. Current or pending litigation: Is your company involved in litigation? If yes, please explain
  14. Has your company ever defaulted on a contract or been sued for failure to comply with contract terms? If yes, please explain
  15. Has your company ever failed to complete any work awarded? If yes, please explain
  16. How do you propose that our company should hold your organization accountable for its performance in this program?

Meet the author

Seth Earley

Seth Earley is the Founder & CEO of Earley Information Science and the author of the award winning book The AI-Powered Enterprise: Harness the Power of Ontologies to Make Your Business Smarter, Faster, and More Profitable. An expert with 20+ years experience in Knowledge Strategy, Data and Information Architecture, Search-based Applications and Information Findability solutions. He has worked with a diverse roster of Fortune 1000 companies helping them to achieve higher levels of operating performance.

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