Metadata (meta data, or sometimes metainformation) is "data about data", of any sort in any media. An item of metadata may describe an individual datum, or content item, or a collection of data including multiple content items and hierarchical levels, for example a database schema. Metadata provides context for data. Metadata is used to facilitate the understanding, characteristics, and management usage of data. The metadata required for effective data management varies with the type of data and context of use. In a library, where the data is the content of the titles stocked, metadata about a title would typically include a description of the content, the author, the publication date and the physical location. In order to build or buy a metadata solution, a full set of metadata requirements need to exist. These requirements are not what you find documented in the average data warehouse reporting tool - they are much more. This book explains what else needs to be considered, and takes you through the way to get them, organize them, and use them. This book is for the person that is using or implementing a metadata solution. It is also for the person that needs to decide why the metadata solution that exists in his/her organization isn't what it could be. It offers a good perspective about metadata, ownership versus stewardship. Highly recommended, quick read covering everything metadata, something Data/IT Managers should be familiar with.