Course 1 of 2 · Live Online
Turn the data models your people already know into shared, machine-usable meaning
The foundation reliable AI is built on
Building Shared Meaning
Semantic Modelling, Property Graphs & the Semantic Layer
Places limited to 24 delegates.
Who This Course Is For
Building Shared Meaning is for people who already work with data and models — and want to turn what they know into shared, machine-usable meaning. If you build analytics, model data, or implement a semantic layer (dbt, Cube, AtScale) and keep running into the limits of tables and per-system schemas, this course is the bridge to what comes next.
You don't need any logic or programming background. Familiarity with data and everyday data modelling — ER, UML or relational — is all it takes, and the diagramming skills you already have carry straight over.
Data Modellers
BI & Analytics Engineers
Semantic-Layer Implementers
Analytics Engineers
Data Architects
Business Analysts
Solution Architects
Data Mesh & Data-Product Teams
Enterprise Architects
Data Engineers
Data Governance & Quality Leads
Knowledge / Information Managers
What You’ll Gain from This Course
By the end, you'll be able to:
- Distinguish the five senses of 'semantic layer' and place your own work on the map
- See where ER, UML & information engineering stop — and what fills the gap
- Reason correctly under the open-world assumption — and know when closed-world applies
- Model a domain as a property graph and query it with Cypher
- Express meaning in RDF and query it with SPARQL
- Model meaning visually with G-OWL and generate standard OWL/Turtle
- Build a governed shared business vocabulary (SKOS)
- Define governed, semantics-backed metrics for BI
- Position shared semantics in a data-product / mesh architecture
- Explain why reliable agentic AI depends on shared meaning
- Everyone on the same page — a shared language across business and IT
- Less rework & technical debt — model meaning once, reuse it everywhere
- Trustworthy business intelligence — consistent, governed metrics
- Interoperability — across systems, tools and workflows
- Ready for reliable AI — the shared meaning it depends on
Content and Structure
Course 1 combines live teaching with hands-on labs and worked exercises — every concept applied to your own domain, producing a tangible output each session. Taught on open standards, with each topic using relevant and mainstream tools.
Sessions are recorded; notes and references provided.
What You Take Away
You don't leave with slides — you leave with a working starter pack for your own domain. Across the week you build each piece, then assemble them into one coherent, hand-off-ready package:
A governed shared vocabulary (SKOS)
A property-graph and RDF model of your domain
A visual G-OWL model, exported to standard OWL/Turtle
A governed, semantics-backed BI metric
A data-product definition with a semantic contract
Your domain "shared-meaning starter pack" — ready to take back to your team.
Tools & Standards
Every skill is taught on open standards, and each topic introduces the mainstream tool you'd actually use — and our own Sapiento offered where it fits.
Standards & languages: RDF, RDFS, OWL, SPARQL, SKOS, G-OWL, Cypher / GQL, Linked Data
Tools you'll use: Neo4j, Apache Jena / GraphDB, the dbt Semantic Layer, Protege, Sapiento, a data catalog — alongside the ER/UML tools you already know
Enrolment and Pricing
Choose your country and booking type to see your price and available early-bird discounts.
We offer fair pricing for developed and developing economies. Discounts vary depending on how early you book and whether you are self-funded, company-funded, or part of a team.
This tool provides an estimate. Final amounts, including any applicable taxes, will be confirmed at enrolment.
The course fee includes:
✔ Certificate of completion (CEUs)
✔ All course materials & templates
✔ Full session recordings
✔ Hands-on labs building your own starter pack
Ready to build shared meaning?
Places are limited to 24 delegates. Book now to secure your seat.
Please contact us if you want to arrange an in-person or in-house course and we will review the request.
Course 1 is the foundation. Here's where the pathway leads next —
Why Inspired?
Few providers can take you from the data models your people already know all the way to shared, machine-usable meaning — and then, in Course 2, on to formal ontologies and grounded AI. Inspired can, because we've spent decades building the methods that connect them and tools that enable efficient modelling.
This course draws on 40+ years of industry experience and 25+ years developing practical enterprise-architecture, requirements and design techniques, applied in real organisations across banking, assurance, telecoms, healthcare, energy, retail and government. Our courses are known for depth, practicality, and the ability to apply learning immediately — not just pass an exam.
Course Leaders
Graham McLeod
Founder & Chief Architect, Inspired.org
FAQs
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Most people start with Course 1 — it builds the shared-meaning foundation and assumes only everyday data-modelling familiarity (ER, UML, relational). You can go straight to Course 2 if you already work in RDF/OWL and code; it assumes Course 1 or equivalent. If you’re still not sure, contact us to discuss.
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Not for Course 1 — no logic or programming required, just comfort with data and models. Course 2 is more advanced and does assume programming familiarity (e.g. Python) alongside the RDF/OWL basics from Course 1.
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Everyone who attends Course 1 receives a 30% voucher for Course 2. There's nothing to decide up front — you keep the voucher after the course and redeem it against Course 2 whenever you're ready to book.
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Course 2 is planned for 2027. Register your interest and we'll email you the dates the moment they're set — and remember, Course 1 delegates get 30% off.
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Yes — either course can be delivered as a private, in-house cohort, tailored to your team and context. Get in touch and we'll put together an option for you.
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You will need a laptop, notebook or tablet with the appropriate software for participating in the Zoom sessions as well as team assignments. Useful software to have on the device includes:
A presentation program (Microsoft PowerPoint, Apple KeyNote, Open Office Impress)
A spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel, Apple Numbers, Open Office Calc)
A word processor (Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, Open Office Write)
Zoom conferencing software
Optional: A drawing / diagramming / modelling package of your choice
We understand this is not always easy, but ensuring you have good internet connectivity will greatly improve your experience in the live sessions.
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The course is delivered via Zoom, which allows for interactive sessions, group exercises, and live Q&A. You can join via the Zoom app or directly in your browser; just make sure your device is compatible if you want to participate fully in the hands-on exercises.
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All course materials, recordings, and resources are hosted on Ruzuku, an easy-to-use online learning platform. You can access content anytime, from any device with an internet connection, so you can review lessons at your own pace.
Still Have Questions?
Not sure whether this training is suited to your role/organisation/experience?
Please use the form below to subscribe to updates, ask us anything or have us contact you for a discussion. Alternatively, book a call and we can discuss further, and find the right match for your needs.