Excessive small metadata files or a complex folder hierarchy within an export package adds complexity to the workflow. Ideally, export processes consolidate metadata into one file per publication, and the folder and file structure are mostly flattened, predictable, and use a consistent naming convention. Metadata should be fully expressed within the metadata file, not via file- and folder names, and should include references to the files being described so that they are easily connected. The complexity of a submitted information package has an impact on the ability of a preservation service to efficiently and quickly convert it to an archival information package. Reducing the number of separate metadata files and folders reduces processing time and can improve stability in the long term by simplifying migration either to a preservation system or to another platform. To the extent that the goal is an automated preservation workflow, the export packages should be consistent across publications.
See also:
22. Use an appropriate metadata serialization within the export package