Document Organisation & Metadata Decision Toolkit
Take the Guesswork Out of SharePoint Library Planning
Stop creating inconsistent libraries that confuse users and waste time.
The Document Organisation & Metadata Decision Toolkit gives you clear, actionable guidance for structuring SharePoint libraries — and deciding when to use folders, metadata, or both.
- $27
Document Organisation Toolkit
- Download
- 1 File
What's Inside
Metadata Decision Cart
A visual flowchart that helps you choose between folders, metadata, or hybrid structures — so your libraries stay logical and scalable.
Decision Table Reference Guide
Step-by-step recommendations on where and how to create metadata (Library Columns, Site Columns, or Term Store) and when to use each approach.
Ready-to-Use Metadata Examples
Pre-built examples for HR, Finance, Projects, and Marketing, so you can see how metadata works across real-world scenarios.
Common Column Templates
Lists of essential metadata columns to include across sites — from Document Type and Department to Topic and Project Status.
Governance Tips & Best Practices
Guidelines for planning, indexing, and maintaining libraries as your organisation scales.
Overview
If you’ve ever struggled to answer “Should we use folders or metadata?” — this toolkit gives you the clarity you need.
It walks you through how to plan, structure, and standardise your SharePoint document libraries using a simple visual decision framework.
You’ll learn when to use metadata columns, how to scale your design for growth, and how to keep libraries searchable and Copilot-ready.
This toolkit is designed for anyone responsible for setting up, cleaning up, or optimising SharePoint libraries — without the jargon or the endless trial-and-error.
Why It Works
This toolkit simplifies metadata planning — a task that’s often ignored until it’s too late.
You’ll go from disorganised, ad-hoc structures to clean, standardised libraries that scale effortlessly.
It’s built on 20 years of real-world SharePoint experience — used in organisations that needed clarity fast.
The frameworks inside have been tested across hundreds of libraries, ensuring your setup works from day one.
Who It's For
SharePoint site owners and admins
IT and records managers
Project leads setting up new libraries
Anyone building or restructuring SharePoint sites
If you’re planning to roll out new libraries or prepare your environment for Copilot, this toolkit gives you the roadmap.
Results You Can Expect
✅ Consistent, scalable SharePoint libraries
✅ Faster document retrieval with clear metadata structures
✅ Improved search, filters, and views
✅ Reduced duplication and user confusion
✅ A solid foundation for AI-ready content
What's Included
1 downloadable PDF
Metadata decision chart and table
Example metadata column lists
Real-world scenarios and quick-reference guides
About the Author
Microsoft 365 and SharePoint Specialist
Created by Liza Tinker, a Microsoft 365 consultant and SharePoint Information Architect who has designed hundreds of metadata-driven library structures for leading organisations. Her signature “Container Method™” approach turns messy file systems into structured, findable content ready for AI.