Page 60 - ITIL® Foundation 3.15

The DIKW Structure
The DIKW Structure explains the concepts involved in how useable (or useful) information becomes for making decisions.
Data by itself is very disparate. Often uncorrelated and of limited use. IT organizations concentrate on how to collect in standardized ways, how to store, how to backup and protect. Turning Data into Information requires that some context and organization take place.
The DIKW Structure
Data is a set of discrete facts about events.
Information comes from providing context to data.
Knowledge is composed of the tacit experiences, ideas, insights, and values Wisdom gives the ultimate discernment of the material through contextual awareness and strong common sense judgments
Understanding
Wisdom Knowledge
Information Data
Based on AXELOS (ITIL®) material. Reproduced under license from AXELOS Limited. All rights
© Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved. www.KnowledgeToolWorks.com
Information represents this organized data to help explain who was involved, what happened, when the event occurred, etc. Still, information only arranged the data so that it can be read. Information answers four questions: who, what, when, and where. The information is still static. Any patterns within this information have not become apparent. Information only becomes knowledge when these patterns and context are exposed. Using these patterns, organizations can predict future actions, and often achieve a higher reliability.
Knowledge is the application of additional context and understanding of individuals or systems. It includes all we may have learned within a situation or from peers. Still, even knowledge cannot guarantee a good decision. IT is responsible for delivering organized, context based, relevant knowledge to allow for the making of a proper and intelligent decision. Good decision-making requires the application of wisdom.
Wisdom requires strong common sense judgment. Copyright © 2018. Knowledge ToolWorks. All Rights Reserved.
Context
Who, what, when, where?
How?
Why?