Taxonomy / Naming Conventions… not the sexiest topic but one of the most important..

Taxonomy and governance on marketing data provide structure, consistency, and reliability to your data management and analysis efforts. They enhance data integrity, enable cross-channel insights, improve collaboration, and support efficient decision-making. By implementing these practices, Lotus can leverage the full potential of their marketing data to drive growth and success.

There are many benefits to a clear taxonomy/naming conventions which include:

• Consistency and Standardisation
• Data Integrity and Quality
• Data Integration and Cross-channel Insights
• Scalability and Efficiency
• Collaboration and Communication
• Futureproofing and Adaptability

Taxonomy naming conventions are an essential part to global reporting and consistency. We’ve developed a clear process to apply that will allow governance and consistency.

Stage 1: Define Objectives and Scope

• Define the objectives of your taxonomy and naming convention. What specific goals do you want to achieve with GA4?
• Determine the scope of your taxonomy, considering the size and complexity of your business, and the number of entities you need to track.

Stage 2: Identify Key Dimensions and Metrics

• Identify the key dimensions and metrics that are relevant to your business. These could include customer segments, product categories, geographic regions, channels, campaigns, or any other data points you want to track.
• Prioritise the dimensions and metrics based on their importance and relevance to your business goals.

Stage 3: Establish Naming Conventions

• Develop a standardised naming convention for each dimension and metric. Ensure that the conventions are consistent, clear, and easily understood by all stakeholders.
• Consider including prefixes or codes to categorise different types of dimensions or metrics, which can help with organising and filtering data.

Stage 4: Document and Communicate the Taxonomy

• Document the finalised taxonomy and naming convention in a comprehensive guide or document. Include definitions, examples, and guidelines to ensure consistent implementation across the organization.
• Communicate the taxonomy to all relevant stakeholders, including analysts, marketers, and developers. Conduct training sessions if necessary to ensure everyone understands the conventions and their importance.

Stage 5: Implement and Validate

• Implement the taxonomy and naming convention in GA4, making sure to follow the established guidelines and conventions.
• Validate the implementation by monitoring and reviewing the data collected. Ensure that the data is organized and structured correctly and aligns with your predefined objectives and metrics.
• Continuously review and refine the taxonomy as your business evolves, ensuring it remains relevant and effective.

Developing a taxonomy and naming convention is an iterative process, and it may require adjustments based on feedback and changing business needs. Regularly revisit and update your taxonomy to keep it aligned with your evolving business requirements.