A method and apparatus for creating management information specifications in a schema by a user. According to various embodiments of the method, a first file is defined by using a metaschema. The metaschema is represented in a schema definition format. Subsequently, a second file corresponding to the first file is defined. The second file includes directives for depicting various elements of a metaschema. The user is then prompted to fill various fields that correspond to the various elements of the metaschema. As a result, the management information specifications are included in a document corresponding to the metaschema. The management information specifications in the document are then converted to form the management information specifications into a metaschema document. The metaschema document represents a schema. The schema includes the management information specifications.