Knowledge Organization
Systems and methods for structuring knowledge to enable retrieval and use.
Also known as: Organizing knowledge, Information organization, Knowledge structure
Category: Concepts
Tags: knowledge-work, organizations, information-architecture, personal-knowledge-management, systems
Explanation
Knowledge organization encompasses systems and methods for structuring knowledge to enable retrieval, connection, and use. Approaches include: hierarchical (folder structures, taxonomies), networked (linking, tagging), chronological (date-based), and hybrid (combining approaches). Key concepts include: classification (grouping by categories), indexing (creating findability), metadata (information about information), and linking (connecting related items). Effective organization balances: structure (enough to find things) with flexibility (adapting to evolving needs), and capture effort (organization at input) with retrieval effort (organization at retrieval). Personal knowledge management systems must fit: individual thinking styles, types of knowledge managed, and retrieval patterns. Common challenges include: over-organization (too much structure), under-organization (can't find things), and organizational debt (maintaining systems). For knowledge workers, effective knowledge organization means: choosing appropriate systems for your needs, maintaining consistency, evolving systems as needs change, and balancing organization effort with actual use.
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