[Sigia-l] Standardized classification

[Truong, Kristen]

Hmmm...

I think I'll use my own error to further this discussion to the
IA/classification questions I posed at the end of my initial post on the
Midwest discussion.  

Even when there is a clear classification/category scheme defined by
some "authority" (the Library of Congress, the IEEE, the UN, the US
Census, etc.), that does not mean that the users of this information
know or understand the scheme.  Since our mission is to meet user goals,
how do standardized classifications fit/do not fit in this mission?

How do we accommodate users who do not, as a group, follow a consistent
scheme?  Several options have been discussed throughout several threads,
including this one and the "categorizing a tomato" thread.  I was just
wondering what are the best ways of accommodating users who have
different schemas the information being presented?  I've heard many
mentioned...

-redundancy
-follow some "official" scheme
-follow some "logical" scheme
-faceted classification
-others?

In addition, is there great need for standardized classification?  When
are they valuable?  When are they not?

Kristen Truong
Information Architect
Construct Team | Covisint
ktruong at covisint.com