A better way to build Content Models: Collaborative and simple

Have you ever struggled with a content model that just didn’t work for your team?

After talking to many digital teams last month, I’ve noticed a common problem: content models built by developers without input from editors. These systems might be technically impressive but often leave editors stuck with confusing, complicated workflows, making content creation a frustrating experience.

These conversations got me thinking—how do we prevent this?

The solution lies in a more collaborative approach to content modeling, one that brings developers, editors, and product owners together from start to finish. This idea led to the creation of Collaborative Content Modeling (CCM).

In this post, I’ll walk you through the CCM approach: why it matters, how it works, and the benefits it offers for everyone involved.

Let’s face it—when developers design content models in isolation, they often prioritize technical requirements over usability. Editors end up dealing with overly complex systems, confusing field names, or irrelevant options that slow them down. It's like trying to find your way in a maze without a map—that’s how editors feel.

This misalignment causes problems for everyone:

• Editors get frustated: They struggle to use a system that doesn’t fit their needs.
• Developers get overwhelmed: They spend too much time fixing issues and handling support requests.
• Team miss business goals: Content production slows down, and quality suffers.

The solution? Collaboration. Let’s start working together.

Collaborative Content Modeling bridges the gap between developers, editors, and product owners. It’s a simple framework built around three key stages: Design, Implement, and Check. This approach ensures content models are usable for editors, scalable for developers, and aligned with business objectives.

The Collaborative Content Modeling process: A simple, iterative cycle to design, implement, and refine content models that work for everyone.

It’s not rocket science—it’s just smart teamwork.

Before anything else, talk to your editors. What do they really need? Designing a content model isn’t just about fields and relationships—it’s about creating a structure that works for both editors and developers. The goal is to build a prototype that aligns with content goals, workflows, and technical requirements.

Don’t skip this step—it’s the foundation for everything.

Key Actions:

1. Collaborate: Bring developers, editors, and stakeholders together to identify content types, fields, and relationships.
2. Map Workflows: Understand how content is created, managed, and published.
3. Prioritize Simplicity: Start with a Minimum Viable Content Model (MVCM) to avoid unnecessary complexity.
4. Prototype Visually: Create diagrams or wireframes of the proposed model for validation.
5. Document Assumptions: Clarify how the model will be used and what success looks like.

What you'll get:

• A well-defined content model schema, ready for implementation.
• Visual documentation to share with stakeholders for feedback.

What would a simpler, more intuitive content model look like for your team?

Now it’s time to bring your content model to life. This step takes your design and turns it into a functional system. By building and testing the model in the CMS, you can make sure it’s both user-friendly and technically reliable. Think of it as a trial run before the full launch.

Key Actions:

1. Set It Up: Configure content types, fields, and relationships in the CMS.
2. Add Functionality: Implement validation rules, default values, and reusable components.
3. Test Thoroughly: Ensure the model integrates well with frontend systems and API outputs.
4. Engage Editors: Roll out the model to a small group of editors in a staging environment.
5. Gather Feedback: Use this phase to identify usability or technical issues.

What you'll get:

• A functional content model ready for initial use.
• Early feedback to refine the model further.

No one gets it perfect on the first try, which is why evaluation is crucial. The goal of this stage is to gather feedback, identify pain points, and refine the model to better serve editors and developers alike. It’s all about learning and improving.

Key Actions:

1. Collect Feedback: Ask editors about usability, workflow efficiency, and clarity.
2. Monitor Metrics: Track time-to-create content, error rates, and consistency.
3. Host Reviews: Discuss findings with stakeholders to prioritize updates.
4. Iterate: Document learnings and implement changes for the next iteration.

What you'll get:

• Insights into the model’s strengths and weaknesses.
• A prioritized list of improvements for future design cycles.

By fostering collaboration, the CCM framework offers several key advantages:

Usability for Editors

Collaborative Content Modeling simplifies workflows by using intuitive field names and logical structures that align with how editors think. This empowers editors to focus on creating great content without needing constant support from developers.

Flexibility for Developers

The CCM framework encourages scalable, modular models that adapt seamlessly to future needs and new requirements. By addressing usability issues early, developers spend less time on rework and fielding support requests.

Alignment for Product Owners

With collaboration at its core, CCM ensures the content model aligns with business goals, like faster publishing cycles and consistent branding. It fosters a shared sense of ownership, strengthening teamwork across departments.

Faster Content Delivery

By removing bottlenecks caused by misaligned models, CCM enables teams to deliver content more efficiently. Editors can work more autonomously, while developers can focus on innovation rather than troubleshooting.

How much time and effort would you save with a better system?

Sustainability

CCM promotes continuous improvement, ensuring the content model evolves alongside changing business and user needs. This approach keeps the system relevant and effective for the long term.

It’s a win-win for everyone.

Start small. Apply the Design-Implement-Check process to a single content type or workflow. Collaborate with your team, gather feedback, and iterate. Over time, this approach will transform your content modeling process into one that works for everyone.

What’s one small step you can take today to improve your content model? Who in your team could you involve in this process right now?

Collaborative Content Modeling isn’t just a framework—it’s a mindset. It emphasizes teamwork, shared ownership, and continuous improvement. By involving developers, editors, and product owners throughout the content model lifecycle, you’ll create systems that are both powerful and user-friendly.