Intraversed myth busting:
Glossary content is obsolete by the time you’ve completed it

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 2 MINUTES

The Myth

There’s no point in spending a lot of time & effort on a glossary – the content is obsolete before it’s even finished. Its only value is for the project at hand, and even then, that value is limited.

Why people believe the myth

There’s a logic to this myth that, at first glance, can seem solid. Truly well-researched and solidly crafted definitions can take a lot of time and effort. They can cause a lot of frustration as many stakeholders disagree and argue things out. So, it is very likely that, within a year or two, even within months, the in-practice definition used by the business-side staff working with the business concepts and processes you’ve defined might begin to vary from the written one. This happens because there’s a natural evolution of language and it can’t be stopped.

The Problem with the Myth

This is a classic case of throwing baby out with the bathwater. A glossary (if it is to be effective) MUST be a dynamic document. It cannot be static. It cannot be one-and-done.

When businesses truly invest in their glossary, they will invest in software and business processes that enable active language management. This includes regular definition review (probably annually, by the definition owner), it includes the ability for all staff to raise an issue against an existing definition when they identify discrepancy between it and in-practice usage (so the owner is notified and can investigate), and it includes the ability to reference legacy language, archive terms, and in many other ways, keep the glossary current.

When we assume a one-and-done approach to a glossary, we do waste our time and money investing in creating it. But assume it’s a dynamic, living knowledge storehouse, which is managed and carries assigned accountability and governance oversight, and then you’ve got a business platform that can really transform business assurance, risk mitigation and business knowledge protection.

What We Suggest Instead of This Myth

Put together a business case for investment in an organisation-wide business term glossary. Research software options and understand that the primary purpose of a business glossary is to support business staff, not data side activities. With adequate time and ongoing financial investment, a glossary can deliver incredible results and can even deliver an ROI on that investment.

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Our Intralign Encyclopaedia is built on our industry-leading glossary, designed for business staff, to support business activity. Our new Team Starter monthly subscription option puts this comprehensive glossary platform within reach of single business teams. Find out more here.

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