2. Copyright © CREDO Systems, LLC. Building Bridges Between the Professional Searcher and Enterprise Search Solutions Helen Mitchell, Senior Search Strategist CREDO Systems, LLC. Gilbane Conference, San Francisco April 11, 2007

3. 2 Disclaimer The views expressed in this presentation do not necessarily represent the views of FDA or the United States

4. 3 Overview Definitions Key Challenges Searcher & ESS Goals Why Is There a Disconnect? How can we Build Bridges? Lessons Learned Attain Win-Win Results

5. 4 Definitions Professional ‘Searcher’ For purposes of this presentation: Any Professional Seeking Information related to an area of expertise, business, issue, interest, role or responsibility Enterprise Search Solutions (ESS) –To provide a single integrated view of data – like a library’s catalog - that provides easily accessible and relevant search results across internal and external electronic data and document repositories

6. 5 Key Challenges Cultural Migration to a Collaborative Learning Environment Establishment of a Common Language and Data Standards Alignment of Solutions to Discrete Problems Simplification Planning for Tomorrow’s Problems Today Knowledge Capture and Refresh

7. 6 Searcher & ESS Goals Easily Identify & Create Secure Information Access Achieve Relevant Information Discovery Improve Business Processes and Productivity Enhance Quality of Work Products Provide Harmonization across Corporate Boundaries Develop a Competitive Advantage for the Organization Streamline Operations Accelerate Development & Innovation in Evolving Enterprises

8. 7 Why Is There a Disconnect? Poorly Defined Business Processes Multiple, Independent, Non-integrated Data Repositories Lack of Enterprise Search Capabilities No Strategic Search Plan or Vision No Integration between Searcher and Information Needs Failure to Consider Persona Requirements No Standards or Governance

9. 8 How Can We Build Bridges? Conduct High Level Knowledge Architecture Audit –To Identify Resources & Problems –To Understand Political & Cultural Environments –To Conduct Contextual Interviews with all Stakeholders –To Catalog the Content Repositories and Data Bases –To Catalog Community Profiles: formal, informal, real & virtual –To Conduct User Interviews, Surveys, Ethnographic Studies –To Conduct Technology Needs Analysis

10. 9 Professional Searcher Bridges Clarify Information Access Issues –Organize Info Based on Interest, Need or Expertise Categories, Facets, Classifications, Taxonomies… Simplify Navigation –Ex., No more than 3 clicks to find relevant info Consider Persona Differences –Use Collaboration Tools –Develop Nomenclature Standards –Learn to Listen…Talk With Them Educate Managers, IT & Users

11. 10 Architectural Bridges Consolidate & Standardize Hardware Investments Develop Robust HW Infrastructure to Support Requirements Establish Governance Policies Ensure Performance Goals are Met Standardize Secure Management of Content Repositories Use Scalable & Flexible ES Products Consider SOA – Reuse Code

12. 11 Administrative Bridges Resolve Cultural and Political Barriers Deliver Return on Investment Demonstrate Value Added Ensure Adequate Funding Identify Project Champions Get Management & User Buy-in Ensure Business Mission & Goals are Met Move From Reactive to Pro-Active Management of Increasing Data Generation

13. 12 Benefits To Be Gained Building Bridges Can Result In: –Improved Search Experience –More Quality Work Products –Tasks Completed On Schedule –Challenges Met & Exceeded –Employee Excellence & Customer Satisfaction –Increased Revenue

14. 13 Attain Win-Win Results Organizations Making Best Use of Their Institutional Capital Will be Winners in the Knowledge Economy The Current State of Organizations, for the most part, are Not Compatible With that Vision Change in Information Technology Will Ease the Migration to an Integrated Environment Companies Must Pro-Actively Develop the KM Strategies to Effectively Utilize the Growing Mountains of Information

15. 14 Get In The Drivers Seat

16. 15 Stay On Course

17. 16 Get On Track

18. 17 Grab the ‘Dog’ By the Horns

19. 18 Think Outside the Box

20. 19 Gain Positive Momentum

21. 20 By Building Bridges

22. 21 So…At the End of the Day

23. 22 You’ll Achieve Your Goals!

24. 23 Thank You! Helen L. Mitchell Senior Search Strategist CREDO Systems, LLC PH: 609-844-7525 FX: 609-895-2666 MOBILE: 410-259-7766 helen.mitchell@credosystems.com www.credosystems.com