Methodology
Guides, Roadmaps, Metadata
A DAM is a complex whole system. It often centralizes diverse groups across an organization; those human relationships can be messy. It is a challenge to put together a site that looks simple, accessible and engaging. Ann provides tools to her customers to clarify their DAMs, smooth ongoing administration, and invite future improvements.
Guides
It is important to select a DAM software that is reasonably intuitive for the non-technical general user. That means basic navigation and features should require a minimum of special instruction. But the more complex technical functions, such as publishing and administration, will require training, and are more effective if presented in the user's own branded DAM UI. Ann provides three versions of user guides:
General User Guide
How to log in, the anatomy of the home page, navigation, how to search, download and other distribution options, how to manage collections and other organizational tools.
Publisher's Guide
How to upload, how to apply and edit metadata, the meaning of the metadata, naming conventions, graphic standards, workflows, special features to manage files
Administrator's Guide
Permissions, user groups, roles and responsibilities: File Creators and Asset Managers, archiving policy, governance, daily administration, managing new users, user care and engagement, training, metadata management, reporting, presentations and Steering, vendor relationship management, site improvements, special projects.
Roadmap
For every major implementation, Ann crafts a custom roadmap. The roadmap covers all, or combinations of five Phases: Discovery, The Business Case, Design/Development, Vendor Selection, Implementation. Specified in each phase are milestones and the human resources needed. With a roadmap, you don’t get lost.
Metadata & Taxonomy
Metadata is the language of the DAM. Metadata names and describes the files in a library so they can be found and used and mined and managed. A solid metadata schema provides the means to search, to research, to report, and to refresh content with changing times. Metadata touches every part of the DAM. Ann has written a practical guide that covers building the schemas for a new DAM, managing metadata in daily operations, and refreshing or remaking the language as the organization progresses over time.
“Ann understands the entire lifecycle of an asset and the process of what it takes for a company to plan for, create, and then distribute assets to the organization while making them findable and usable in the most efficient way for their unique process. She understands how each user audience is consuming content and how to support them.”
— Nate Shields, VP of Delivery, North America, Brandworkz