local egov National Project

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local e-gov National Project Local Authority
Websites (LAWs)
Sheila Apicella Assistant Programme Director
Local eGovernment Standards Body IAS Workstrand
Leader
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LAWs Information Architecture and Standards
Workstream
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Taking Metadata back to the ranch

• What is metadata
• Why do we need it
• Is there a business case for using metadata
• What are the benefits
• Role of the esd-toolkit

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What is Metadata?

• Data about Data

• So what?

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Metadata is-

• Information used to describe a resource so that
  you and others can find it again
• It is a way of sharing data in a logical format
• Helps keep track of resources held
  electronically
• It sets out rules to help you manage information
  assets
• Simply a method of categorising information

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Why do we need Metadata now Weve been managing
ok Havent we?

• Content all jumbled together
• Shared drives
• Different lists being used by Local Authorities
• Other Lists being used by Central Government

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Libraries have been doing it for years!!

• Title
• Author
• Publisher
• Subject Matter
• Fact or fiction
• ISDN identification

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Does this sound familiar?

• Staff complain about the waves of irrelevant
  information and struggle
• Citizens struggle to find content and often give
  up
• How do you know whether you have overlapping or
  conflicting content

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Is there a Business Case for categorising your
content?

• Information is a valuable asset like buildings,
  finance and people should be valued
• Managing your Intellectual Capital will show
  business benefits
• Respond to questions quickly and accurately
• Evaluate content to make better decisions
• Gives your customers greater confidence in your
  ability to provide speedy and accurate
  information

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What are the benefits?

• Kick start categorisation initiative with a ready
  made list
• Categorisation and controlled lists will enhance
  your search results
• Adopting LGCL will bring you in line with many
  other LAs
• As more and more LAs adopt LGCL it will enable a
  powerful and effective search across Local and
  Central Government.
• Gives high level categorisation, navigation and
  controlled list for keywords
• Links to Directgov

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Enables links to external websites
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and there are more benefits

• Locate something you know already exists
• Uncover unknown information
• Adopting a ready made list shortens
  implementation cycles (and cuts down discussions)
• Categorisation and use of controlled list enables
  personalisation of information
• Enables syndication of information
• Categorisation and use of controlled lists
  enables specialised web sites as a sub site of
  your main site re-using the same information

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Micro Business Gateway A local portal that
addresses Camdens specific small business needs
Micro businesses Advice workers Self employed
Broad objectives To provide a local, single
access gateway for Micro Businesses to a range of
central and local government regulatory and
support services To improve access to business
information, particularly to members of ethnic
communities To help prevent enforcement action
arising from non-regulatory compliance as a
result of ignorance, by highlighting
responsibility and sign posting regulatory and
support information.
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..and more

• LGCL terms map to LGSL services (PIDs)
• Derive GCL terms
• subject.service
• metadata element/refinement
• Associate content with a service number
• Count (all or priority) services to measure
  BVPI 157 provide information

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Key Messages - How does metadata help?

• Controlled vocabulary for metadata (important for
  portals and to enable sharing of information
  across the Authority improving service delivery)
• Enhanced searching
• Web site navigation structure
• Helps measure performance

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LAWs, Metadata APLAWS

• e-GIF defines rules for using information across
  government
• e-GMS defines standards for referencing
  resources
• LAWs addresses applying standards in local
  government to Web sites

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LGCL Structure

• Top level (preferred) term Equivalent terms
• Preferred term Equivalent terms
• RT Related term
• Preferred term Equivalent terms
• Narrower term Equivalent terms
• Narrower term Equivalent terms
• Terms have
• Shortcuts, A-Z flags, Mappings to LGSL (PIDs),
  GCL and ACL

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Categorise content
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Assigning LGCL Categories in APLAWS
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LGCL in esd-toolkitfreely available to all

• View and freely download all standards in XML,
  Word, PDF etc
• Strict Version control
• Ongoing Support for LGCL meta data standards in
  conjunction with Local eGovernment Standards Body

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LGCL Viewer
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LGCL in esd-toolkitas a subscribed Authority

• View terms and associated services and their
  generic content
• Update equivalent terms and keywords for a
  concept
• Restructure navigation and update other data
• Export a local view
• Submit new terms/concepts
• Access to forum

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Controlled Lists in esd-toolkit
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LGCL FAQs

• When will LGCL be complete /stable?
• When will it be released with my requested
  changes?
• Is LGCL mandatory?
• Can I change LGCL?
• Will LGCL be sustainable after LAWs?

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What is available and where can you find this
information?

• LAWs Metadata Guidelines
• LAWs Local Government Category List Guidance
  Notes
• LGCL 1.03
• LAWs Syndication (Introduction/ Guidelines /
  Technical Standards)
• www.esd-toolkit.org/laws

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Reference and Support

• LAWs IAS resources
• www.esd-toolkit.org/laws
• Online forum
• www.esd-toolkit/lawsforum
• Project Website
• www.laws-project.org.uk
• E-mail
• Sheila Apicella sheila.apicella_at_localegov-standar
  ds.gov.uk
• Mike Thacker mthacker_at_porism.com