TAGGING DATA ASSETS

Computer-implemented methods and apparatus for tagging data assets are disclosed. The disclosed methods include a method of responding to a user request that a computer program application open a data asset. The method of opening a data asset includes presenting to the user a location interface to receive data asset location information from the user to locate a desired data asset. The location interface is linked to a searchable tag database that includes concept data elements, asset references, and associations. Concept data elements each representing a concept and have a hierarchy specified by concept hierarchy information. Asset references each comprise a storage location identifier for a corresponding data asset. Each association represents a relation between a data asset and a concept. The method also includes receiving from the user a query identifying a concept and a relation. In response to the query, the tag database may be used to identify a set of data assets each having a specified relation with an identified concept. The identified set of data assets may thereafter be presented to the user. The invention also features a computer program product, tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium, for responding to a user request that a computer program application open a data asset. The program includes instructions operable to cause a computer to present a location interface to the user, instructions to receive data asset location information from the user, instructions to link the location interface to a searchable tag database of concept data elements, asset references, and associations, instructions to receive a query identifying a concept and a relation, instructions to use the tag database to identify a set of data assets each having the relation with the concept, and instructions to present information identifying the set of data assets.