Knowledge-Carrying Artifact

A Knowledge-Carrying Artifact is an artifact that is a knowledge representation that can embody, preserve, and transmit knowledge across time and space.

• AKA: Knowledge Item, Knowledge Artifact, Knowledge-Bearing Object, Knowledge Container, Knowledge Representation Artifact.
• Context:
  • It can typically preserve Knowledge Content through persistent mediums.
  • It can typically facilitate Knowledge Transfer through accessible formats.
  • It can typically embody Domain Knowledge through structured representations.
  • It can typically support Knowledge Discovery through searchable organizations.
  • It can typically enable Knowledge Sharing across organizational boundarys.
  • It can typically maintain Knowledge Integrity through version control mechanisms.
  • It can typically represent Complex Concepts through symbolic encodings.
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  • It can often undergo Knowledge Evolution through iterative refinements.
  • It can often require Interpretation Processes for knowledge extraction.
  • It can often exhibit Knowledge Decay through technological obsolescence.
  • It can often enable Knowledge Reuse across different contexts.
  • It can often support Collaborative Knowledge Building through shared access.
  • It can often embed Cultural Context within knowledge representations.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Simple Knowledge-Carrying Artifact to being a Complex Knowledge-Carrying Artifact, depending on its knowledge structure sophistication.
  • It can range from being a Static Knowledge-Carrying Artifact to being a Dynamic Knowledge-Carrying Artifact, depending on its knowledge update frequency.
  • It can range from being a Explicit Knowledge-Carrying Artifact to being a Implicit Knowledge-Carrying Artifact, depending on its knowledge articulation level.
  • It can range from being a Domain-Specific Knowledge-Carrying Artifact to being a General-Purpose Knowledge-Carrying Artifact, depending on its knowledge scope breadth.
  • It can range from being a Individual Knowledge-Carrying Artifact to being a Collective Knowledge-Carrying Artifact, depending on its knowledge authorship pattern.
  • It can range from being a Formal Knowledge-Carrying Artifact to being a Informal Knowledge-Carrying Artifact, depending on its knowledge standardization degree.
  • It can range from being a Proprietary Knowledge-Carrying Artifact to being a Open Knowledge-Carrying Artifact, depending on its knowledge accessibility policy.
  • It can range from being a Verified Knowledge-Carrying Artifact to being a Unvalidated Knowledge-Carrying Artifact, depending on its knowledge quality assurance level.
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  • It can be created by a Knowledge Engineer for knowledge formalization.
  • It can be managed within a Knowledge Management System for organizational learning.
  • It can be analyzed by a Knowledge Analyst for knowledge quality assessment.
  • It can be integrated into a Knowledge Base for systematic knowledge access.
  • It can be transformed through Knowledge Processing Pipelines for knowledge enhancement.
  • It can be evaluated using Knowledge Quality Metrics for knowledge validation.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Document-Based Knowledge-Carrying Artifacts, such as:
    • How-To Guide, providing procedural knowledge for task completion.
    • Technical Manual, containing operational knowledge for system operation.
    • Research Paper, presenting scientific knowledge through empirical findings.
    • Policy Document, encoding organizational knowledge about governance rules.
    • Best Practices Guide, capturing experiential knowledge from domain experts.
  • Model-Based Knowledge-Carrying Artifacts, such as:
    • Logical Data Model, representing data structure knowledge for information systems.
    • Business Process Model, encoding workflow knowledge for process optimization.
    • Conceptual Model, abstracting domain knowledge into formal representations.
    • Mathematical Model, expressing quantitative knowledge through formal equations.
    • Simulation Model, embodying behavioral knowledge of complex systems.
  • Reference-Based Knowledge-Carrying Artifacts, such as:
    • Domain-Specific Glossary, defining terminological knowledge for specialized fields.
    • Taxonomy, organizing categorical knowledge through hierarchical structures.
    • Ontology, formalizing conceptual knowledge with semantic relationships.
    • Data Dictionary, documenting metadata knowledge for data elements.
    • Style Guide, codifying convention knowledge for consistent practice.
  • Code-Based Knowledge-Carrying Artifacts, such as:
    • Algorithm Implementation, encoding computational knowledge in executable form.
    • Software Library, packaging reusable knowledge for problem solving.
    • Configuration File, storing system knowledge for operational parameters.
    • Smart Contract, embedding business rule knowledge in blockchain systems.
  • Multimedia Knowledge-Carrying Artifacts, such as:
    • Instructional Video, demonstrating procedural knowledge through visual medium.
    • Knowledge Graph Visualization, representing relational knowledge through graphical display.
    • Interactive Tutorial, conveying educational knowledge through guided experience.
    • Architectural Blueprint, expressing design knowledge through technical drawings.
  • Physical Knowledge-Carrying Artifacts, such as:
    • Scientific Instrument, embodying measurement knowledge through calibrated mechanisms.
    • Prototype, manifesting design knowledge in tangible form.
    • Museum Specimen, preserving natural history knowledge through physical examples.
  • Hybrid Knowledge-Carrying Artifacts, such as:
    • Augmented Reality Application, combining digital knowledge with physical context.
    • Knowledge Management Platform, integrating multiple knowledge types in unified system.
  • Emergent Knowledge-Carrying Artifacts, such as:
    • Meme, transmitting cultural knowledge through viral propagation.
    • Organizational Story, conveying institutional knowledge through narrative form.
    • Community Wiki, accumulating collective knowledge through collaborative editing.
  • Tacit Knowledge, when partially externalized through demonstration or apprenticeship artifacts.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Log File, which records event data without knowledge interpretation.
  • Raw Data Set, which contains unprocessed information without knowledge structure.
  • Random Number Sequence, which lacks semantic meaning or knowledge content.
  • Decorative Object, which serves aesthetic purposes without knowledge representation.
  • Communication Channel, which transmits but does not embody knowledge.
  • Storage Medium, which provides physical capacity without knowledge encoding.
• See: Knowledge Record, Knowledge Base, Cognitive System, Knowledge Management, Information Artifact, Knowledge Representation, Explicit Knowledge, Knowledge Engineering, Digital Artifact, Cultural Artifact, Knowledge Transfer Mechanism, Intellectual Property, Knowledge Asset, Organizational Memory, Knowledge Management Task, Knowledge Search Task, Knowledge Extraction Task, Declarative Knowledge, Open Knowledge Item, Meme.

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