You may have a knowledge base that is just as confusing as your notebook. Or maybe the information on it is so outdated it is useless. You need to know what makes a good knowledge base in order to keep it beneficial.
Personal knowledge bases can be excellent tools to help you organize your thoughts, but if they need to be maintained. Having your knowledge base organized and updated makes it the most helpful. A good knowledge base remains relevant and organized all the time.
Doing these things will ensure your knowledge base is always a good source of information. You will be able to reference it for knowledge indefinitely. Every time you go to it, the information will be accurate and up to date.
An Organized Knowledge Base
A primary reason a person should convert their notes into a knowledge base is so they can organize their thoughts. For most people, the notes they take are in random order and only contain pieces of information. Therefore, when they put those notes onto their knowledge base, they can sort the data.
Having your information sorted out makes it much more accessible. You can go directly to the information you’re looking for instead of searching for it. This saves time when you’re working on a project.
If you find your knowledge base is difficult to navigate, the organization is likely your problem. Start with a root document, where you can create an overview of the topic. Then, from this root document, you can add links leading to sub-documents that go into detail on the sub-topics. This way, you can access any part of your knowledge base from the root document.
Update Your Personal Knowledge Base All the Time
Another significant benefit one gets from a personal knowledge base is accurate information. However, it doesn’t help you if the data on your knowledge base is no longer correct. Therefore, it is essential to return to your knowledge base to ensure the information is up to date. Even if you are working on other projects, it only takes a few moments to check your data.
A personal knowledge base’s purpose is to be continuously updated with new information. In this way, it can be used as a reference at any time, and the knowledge is constantly growing. The more you add a knowledge base, the deeper your understanding of that subject goes.
Everyone makes mistakes from time to time. No matter what type of project you’re working on, it always helps to get a second opinion. A great way to make sure your knowledge base has correct information is to share it with your peers. If your friends have access to it, they can double-check your work. They may notice an error or missing piece of information.
Sharing your knowledge base with your peers helps grow your knowledge. Since your peers can give you feedback, you will have access to their knowledge on the topic as well. The well you can draw from grows immensely when your knowledge base is a collection of knowledge from many people. Encourage your friends to re-read your knowledge base many times so they can tell you what needs to be updated.
When you have a personal knowledge base, it should be a source of information that is always applicable. You don’t want your knowledge base to fall into disarray and be confusing the next time you need it. So keep it updated and organized to maintain a good knowledge base.
Lightmap can help you get started on your knowledge base. Their site will help you keep your knowledge base managed and rewarding. Sign up for free here.