Metadata Management
Metadata is like labels on a file folder—helping everyone understand what's inside, how to use it, and where to find it.
Definition
Metadata Management is the practice of organizing and maintaining data about data—what it is, where it came from, how it’s structured, and how it should be used. It enables discovery, governance, lineage, and trust across the data landscape.
- Describes data assets and their structure, purpose, and usage
- Improves data discoverability, lineage, and stewardship
- Supports cataloging, glossaries, and automated governance
Core Components
- Business Glossaries & Data Dictionaries
- Technical Metadata & System Lineage
- Metadata Harvesting & Tagging
- Semantic Layer Integration
- Cataloging, Search, and Data Asset Classification
Example in Practice
An organization rolls out a centralized data catalog that connects business terms to technical fields. Users can search for “customer ID,” understand its definition, lineage, and quality score, and request access—all in one place.
Key Techniques & Tools
- Collibra, Alation, Informatica, Microsoft Purview
- Data catalogs and metadata harvesting frameworks
- Glossary management and stakeholder curation workflows
- Lineage mapping, search, and access request features
Upcoming Events & Content
March 19, 2026: "Finding Meaning: Metadata as the Foundation for Data Governance"
Who Should Attend: Data stewards, catalog owners, BI developers, platform teams
Vendor Partners in this Space
DAMA International (DAMA-I) is a not-for-profit, vendor independent association of technical and business professionals dedicated to advancing the concepts and practices for data resource management and enterprise information. DAMA-I is the parent organization of the DAMA-MN, and has chapters and members throughout the world.