How can you choose the right taxonomy for your software design?

1 Identify your goals

Before you start designing your software system, you need to identify your goals and requirements. What are you trying to achieve with your software? Who are your users and stakeholders? What are the functional and non-functional requirements? How will you measure the quality and performance of your software? These questions will help you define the scope and boundaries of your software system, and guide you in choosing the appropriate level of abstraction and detail for your taxonomy.

3 Define your taxonomy elements

Your taxonomy elements are the building blocks of your software system. They include the concepts, entities, components, interfaces, relationships, properties, constraints, and rules that define the structure and behavior of your software system. You should define your taxonomy elements according to the taxonomy framework you chose, and use appropriate naming conventions, definitions, and descriptions. You should also ensure that your taxonomy elements are consistent, coherent, and complete, and that they avoid ambiguity, redundancy, and contradiction.

4 Organize your taxonomy elements

Once you have defined your taxonomy elements, you need to organize them into a logical and hierarchical structure. This will help you group, categorize, and relate your taxonomy elements, and make them easier to understand and use. You can use different methods and tools to organize your taxonomy elements, such as diagrams, matrices, tables, or graphs. You should also use appropriate labels, symbols, colors, and icons to represent your taxonomy elements, and follow the best practices and standards of your domain and industry.

5 Validate and refine your taxonomy

After you have organized your taxonomy elements, you need to validate and refine your taxonomy. This means that you need to check if your taxonomy meets your goals and requirements, and if it is clear, accurate, and useful. You can use different techniques and methods to validate and refine your taxonomy, such as reviews, feedback, testing, or evaluation. You should also update and maintain your taxonomy as your software system evolves and changes.

6 Communicate and document your taxonomy

The final step in choosing the right taxonomy for your software design is to communicate and document your taxonomy. This means that you need to share and explain your taxonomy to your users, stakeholders, and collaborators, and make it accessible and understandable. You can use different formats and media to communicate and document your taxonomy, such as reports, presentations, manuals, or web pages. You should also use appropriate language, style, and tone to convey your taxonomy, and follow the ethical and legal standards of your domain and industry.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?