Knowledge base

A knowledge base (English knowledgebase ) is a special database for knowledge management. It provides the basis for the collection of information constitutes a knowledge base contains explicit knowledge in written form. Often there are organizations that make it their ideas, solutions, products, processes, white papers, user manuals and quality management manual for all authorized persons available. A knowledge base needs to be carefully structured classification, formatting the content and user-friendly search functionality (see taxonomy, ontology ( computer science ) ). In general, a knowledge base describes a part of an expert system containing facts and rules needed for solving problems of enterprises.

An expert system could for example be a technical support function, the knowledge database is a searchable collection of questions and answers. Other examples are support systems for medical diagnosis or for analyzing scientific data.

Main tasks

The main task of a knowledge database is that it helps people here

• To make knowledge available to others,
• To find resources quickly,
• To collect all kinds of information, annotate, link, and exploit.
• Information selectively display (to avoid clutter with unwanted scatter information )
• Information as accurately as possible ( the natural state of affairs accordingly), self-explanatory (ie geometrically in 3D image) and equally stringent (ie by formula ) represent.

Formation

Knowledge databases are usually relational databases. They consist of objects with structures, fields and content ( attributes) on the one hand, and logic operations, relationships, and additional attributes on the other hand, to meet the requirements of a specific domain needs. The contents are text, pictures, sound and film documents, but also structured data.

Publication

Publishing the knowledge databases ( Knowledge Base Publishing) is an approach that deals with the creation, obtaining, integrating, and the functional use of the knowledge base. The implementation is realized through programs and techniques from various fields (eg computer science, knowledge management, journalism, public relations, business management, lifelong learning, etc. ).

The publishing process, the most similar to publishing a website - is strongly integrated into the workflow. The preservation of the ease of use is an important aspect of the integration process. For example, the following features are observed:

• Integrate a search engine in the system
• Add a A- Z Index
• Identify related documents and relationships

Processing

The processing of the knowledge base ( Knowledge Base Editing) includes the sourcing, verification, organization and presentation of information into a knowledge base. The task of the editor does not begin with the content, but with the users and their business-related tasks. The intent is that several editors (English editor ) gain a sound understanding of user tasks in the corporate context. Thus, a more efficient handling of processes of print, web and database publication is necessary.

User Roles

Depending on the scope and complexity of a knowledge database, this is maintained by several editors, classified according to their area of ​​different roles. A general role separation is not, but each implementation depending on the application and the system, which can usually be adjusted by operator according to their own needs varies. Often several rolls of the same person are satisfied, or a part of a plurality of persons.

The following roles are typical of a knowledge base:

Applicant

This role is essential for the functioning of a knowledge database.

New content is requested by the applicant (English Requestor). This can be done in the context of a business process or as needed, such as when a support engineer has developed a new solution that is not listed in the knowledge base. In this phase, only the abstract content is mostly relevant, but not the stylistic elaboration, as primarily a requirement acquisition takes place. As the " applicant" is also referred to who is requesting modifications to existing content.

Content managers ( administrative)

This role is essential for the functioning of a knowledge database. In some cases, aspects go this role with the role of the author and reviewers associated.

The responsibility of the intellectual infrastructure for a knowledge base is the content manager (English Content Manager, also editor - in-chief ) worn. This concerns in particular the exercise or delegation of the following tasks:

• Assessment of the suitability and relevance of the items
• Research in order to avoid duplicates
• Approval and activation of entries

Author

This role is imperative. It is accompanied in some cases with the role of the applicant.

The elaboration of the content is carried out by the author.

Reviewer

This role is used for quality assurance, for the functioning of a knowledge database is not absolutely necessary, it is often advisable due to the four-eyes principle.

After the development of the content of the reviewers (English reviewer, also editor ) checks indicate compliance stylistic, structural, terminological and possibly other requirements as well as spelling, grammar, and possibly technical accuracy and corrected if necessary. In some cases, this role is divided into a technical and non-technical part. After the activation or release occurs (german publishing) by the content manager.

Taxonomist ( Administrative)

This role is used for quality assurance, for the functioning of a knowledge database, although not mandatory, but provides lasting usability and maintainability as well as the acceptance by users safe. It is accompanied in some cases with the role of content manager.

The definition of standards, which have the consistency of content for the purpose is made by the taxonomist (English taxonomist ). This includes in particular the following tasks:

• Set local standards for vocabulary control and composition (terminology)
• Defining a thesaurus that contains, among other things specific keywords
• Standardized names for enterprise departments, products and geographic locations

Operator ( Administrative)

This role is essential for the functioning of a knowledge database.

The responsibility of the technical infrastructure for a knowledge database is worn by the operator. This concerns in particular the exercise or delegation of the following tasks:

• Planning for the introduction of the knowledge base
• The acquisitions, licensing or granting additional information products and services
• Analyzing the effectiveness of knowledge base
• Coordination of the user interface of the knowledge base (usually in cooperation with owners of the affected roles )
• Development of an organizational scheme for the information, taking into account the interests of all parties
• Organization of events on provision of information or knowledge management
• Development of new approaches, for example, for -profit
• Organization of training for editors

• Knowledge Management
• Database
• Artificial intelligence