So you want to build a knowledge base?

You can also call it : document management system, technical documentation center, collective shared library, information repository, data collection, etc.

Principles :

1. Make it simple to design, use and maintain
   
2. Make sure you answer a specific goal (one or more)
3. Target it for a specific audience only
4. Make it even more simple

Why :

• You want the cost of using it (in "real" work time) is lower
  than the cost of not using it if it didn't exist
• If not, expect it to be ignored and abandoned

My priorities of easiness :

1. add and modify stuff
2. save the whole thing
3. find and retrieve stuff
4. manage authorized access 
5. clean the whole thing
6. monitor use (stats)

I think :

• directory > search engine
• shared folders and files  > local html webpages > wikis > content management systems, forums,...
• spreadsheet (Excel,...) > database (Access,...)
• make sure regular saved copies of the whole system are safely stored
• don't forget to date and attribute (ex: created... updated... by...)

If you choose a directory of folder and files :

• Open formats & open software > proprietary formats
• Adapt type of format to the users : sometimes some photo pictures > texts
• Create folders named archives in every folders if you want to store ancient copies of current documents and if you want to store (but hide) less relevant informations
• Naming of folder and files: no space, no accent, no ponctuation mark
• Naming of folder : the important (most used) folders are written in CAPS LETTERS
• If shortcut: only shortcut folders, and then don't move the folders anymore
• Create a key document in ASCII at the root of the directory to explain how to use it
• Create a folder for the users, each user can put their own shortcuts in their own folders
• The logic of directory structure can follow known topics, known processes, or known institutions (or a clever combination of them)

 If you choose a hyperlinked textual system (webpages) :

• 10 big linked webpages > 100 small linked webpages
• Write in bullet points (or numbered list) like this post. Learn to love lists.
• Follow the 3P structure: write the main idea in 1 Phrase, then develop in 1 Paragrah, then in 1 Page or more. Like in (good) newspaper or encyclopedia articles
• Be careful ! It can become very quickly complex (software, tools, ...) to design, use and maintain