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Workflow Taxonomy Management

Workflow taxonomy defines the structure of object classes and attributes that agents use to assess and classify data. Taxon groups organize these classifications for efficient data processing.

What is Workflow Taxonomy?

Workflow taxonomy is the structured schema that defines what agents (both human and machine) can detect and classify in your assessment workflows. It consists of:

  • Object Classes: The types of objects or entities being detected (e.g., Bridge, Vehicle, Person)
  • Entity Attributes: Properties or characteristics of those objects (e.g., Condition, Color, Size)
  • Attribute Values: Specific values for those properties (e.g., Good, Fair, Poor)
  • Taxon Groups: Organized collections of classifications that link object classes with their attributes

Taxon Groups

Taxon groups are collections of predefined classifications (taxons) that combine object classes with their attribute values. They help standardize assessments and ensure consistency across your organization.

Types of Taxon Groups

Main Taxon Groups

  • Used for primary object classification
  • Include display names and sort order
  • Define the main categories agents will use

Non-Main Taxon Groups

  • Used for additional attributes and characteristics
  • Link to main object classes
  • Provide extended classification capabilities

Use Cases

Taxon groups are particularly useful for:

  • Standardized Classifications: Ensuring all team members use the same terminology
  • Complex Taxonomies: Managing hierarchical or multi-attribute classifications
  • Quality Control: Maintaining consistency across large labeling projects
  • Workflow Templates: Reusing classification schemes across multiple workflows

Importing and Exporting Taxon Groups

You can import and export taxon groups to:

  • Share taxonomies between workflows
  • Backup your classification schemes
  • Transfer configurations between environments
  • Standardize taxonomies across your organization

Accessing Import/Export Features

  1. Navigate to your assessment workflow
  2. Click the Develop tab in the top ribbon
  3. Select the Taxonomy tab in the sidebar
  4. Use the Export Taxonomy or Import Taxonomy buttons

Exporting Taxon Groups

The export feature creates a structured file containing:

  • Object class definitions
  • Entity attributes and their values
  • Taxon group configurations
  • Workflow-specific settings

The exported file can be imported into other workflows or stored as a backup.

Importing Taxon Groups

When importing taxon groups:

  1. Click the Import Taxonomy button
  2. Select your taxonomy file
  3. Choose your import mode:
    • Merge: Add to existing taxonomy without removing current definitions
    • Replace: Replace the entire workflow taxonomy with the imported version
  4. Optionally enable Dry Run to preview changes before applying them

The import process will:

  • Match existing records by UUID to avoid duplicates
  • Create missing object classes and attributes
  • Update workflow-specific configurations
  • Preserve data integrity through validation

Best Practices

Organizing Taxon Groups

  • Clear Naming: Use descriptive names that indicate the purpose of each taxon group
  • Logical Structure: Group related classifications together
  • Documentation: Include descriptions for complex taxonomies
  • Version Control: Export taxonomies regularly to maintain backups

Managing Large Taxonomies

  • Modular Design: Break complex taxonomies into manageable taxon groups
  • Incremental Updates: Use merge mode for adding to existing taxonomies
  • Test Imports: Use dry-run mode to validate large imports before applying
  • Performance: Take advantage of bulk import capabilities for large taxonomies

Workflow Consistency

  • Standard Templates: Create reusable taxonomy templates for common workflows
  • Cross-Workflow Sharing: Export and import to maintain consistency across similar workflows
  • Regular Reviews: Periodically review and update taxonomies as business needs evolve
  • Training: Ensure team members understand your taxonomy structure

Troubleshooting

Import Issues

If you encounter issues during import:

  • Validation Errors: Check that your taxonomy file format matches the expected structure
  • Duplicate Names: Ensure object class and attribute names don't conflict with existing definitions
  • Account Mismatch: Verify you're importing into the correct account
  • Permission Errors: Confirm you have the necessary permissions to import taxonomies

Export Issues

If exports fail or seem incomplete:

  • Browser Compatibility: Use a modern browser for downloading exported files
  • File Size: Very large taxonomies may take longer to export
  • Network Issues: Ensure stable network connection for large exports

Performance Considerations

For optimal performance:

  • Batch Operations: Import large taxonomies during off-peak hours if possible
  • Network Speed: Ensure good network connectivity for large file uploads
  • File Preparation: Validate CSV files before importing to avoid errors mid-process
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