Conducting a metadata audit in a broadcasting environment

Abstract

One of the critical steps before selecting and implementing a digital or media asset management system is to review the metadata already captured by an organisation across its business units. This ‘metadata audit’ encompasses analysing metadata creation workflows and developing an enterprise metadata map incorporating existing data with new data elements required for ongoing asset creation, management and potential interoperability with other systems. The enterprise metadata form the data structure basis for the management system’s functionality and data model. The audit should also note whether any unstructured metadata can be extracted from documents, spreadsheets, filenames and directory structures. The overarching goal is to avoid re-keying existing data as staff time for metadata creation is normally limited. This paper describes the metadata audit process at a television broadcaster that also creates online content. The methodology can be applied to any organisation.