Using a knowledge structure diagram, knowledge categories can be broken down based on their content. An example of this is shown in the following figure. A knowledge category may encompass other knowledge categories as well as documented knowledge. Documented knowledge can also be divided into several documented knowledge subcategories. However, it cannot encompass any general knowledge categories.

For documented knowledge, a knowledge structure diagram can show which information carrier stores the knowledge, or which information objects of a data model or which classes of an object-oriented system are used for knowledge documentation purposes. Finally, the types or classes of application systems that are used to manage the knowledge can also be modeled.