Managing normative thesauri using the TermIt tool

What is it about?

We present TermIt, a web-based system designed to manage authoritative (normative) thesauri in a structured and standards-compliant way. Normative thesauri are controlled vocabularies used by institutions such as public administrations or standards bodies to ensure consistent terminology, clear definitions, and well-defined semantic relationships (e.g., broader, narrower, and related terms). Many existing tools are either too technical for domain experts or lack proper governance features. TermIt combines usability with rigorous Semantic Web foundations. Built natively on RDF and the SKOS model, TermIt supports persistent identifiers (URIs), linked data publication, versioning, role-based access control, and editorial workflows, making it suitable for managing vocabularies that have formal or regulatory authority. The system separates data storage, application logic, and user interface, enabling integration with other systems and export in standard formats.

Featured Image

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

Photo by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Domain thesauri are important because controlled vocabularies ensure consistent terminology across documents, information systems, and datasets, which improves clarity, searchability, and interoperability. This is especially critical in domains such as public administration, legislation, and research, where terms must have clearly defined meanings and stable relationships (e.g., broader or related concepts). TermIt combines user-friendly terminology management with native support for Semantic Web standards such as SKOS and RDF.