Taxonomies are basic classification systems that enable us to describe con-cepts and their dependencies-typically in a hierarchical fashion. Knowledge taxonomies allow knowledge to be graphically represented in such a way that it reflects the organization of concepts withina particular field of expertise or for the organization at large. A knowledge dictionary is a good way to keep track of key concepts and terms that are used. This may be compiled as you acquire and code knowledge. It should clearly define and clarify the professional "jargon" of the subject matter domain (Dalkir, 2005, p.99).

Taxonomies are most useful in the organization of declarative knowledge such as that embodied by diagnostic systems. The construction of a taxonomy involves identifying, defining, comparing, and grouping elements. Organizational knowledge taxonomies, however, are driven not by basic first principles or "real" attributes but by consensus. All the organizational stakeholders need to agree on the classification scheme to be used to derive the taxonomy- it cannot be theoretical but empirical (Dalkir, 2005, p.100).

A number of concept sorting techniques may be used in coding organizational knowledge, ranging from manual to completely automated processes.An example of a manual process would be to have participants sort cards into groupings. An automated example would be something like the RepGrid technique developed by Shaw (1981) based on Kelly's (1955) personal construct theory (Dalkir, 2005, p.100).

You can read more about knowledge taxonomies in the following report: Knowledge taxonomies: a literature review. Research reports and studies, May 2011. This literature review explores the role of taxonomies in knowledge management and was carried out as part of a study of the Asian Development Bank's knowledge taxonomy conducted by ODI between October 2010 and January 2011.