What is a Knowledge Graph?
A knowledge graph is a structured representation of information that makes relationships visible and deliberate. Rather than storing information as isolated records or documents, it organizes entities in a way that reflects how they
relate to one another in the real world. This approach allows information to be modeled based on connection instead of storage location.
In practice, a knowledge graph focuses on how information fits together. It represents assets, systems, documents and events as part of a connected structure, which allows information to be explored and reused without relying on rigid hierarchies or predefined paths.
Why Knowledge Graphs Exist
Traditional information systems are designed to store and retrieve data efficiently. Over time, this has led to information being organized around tools and applications instead of around the work being performed. As systems multiply, understanding becomes fragmented and increasingly dependent on individual experience.
Knowledge graphs exist to stabilize that understanding. They preserve meaning by maintaining consistent relationships
even as systems change or responsibilities shift. Rather than forcing users to reconstruct context, the graph carries that context forward and provides a shared reference that outlives any single system.
Elements of a Knowledge Graph
A knowledge graph is built from entities and the relationships between them. Entities represent things that matter to the organization, while relationships describe how those things connect.
This commonly includes:
- Assets and equipment that work is performed on.
- Documents and records that describe or govern that work.
- Systems and locations that provide operational context.
- Events and changes that affect condition or behavior.
What matters is not the volume of information but the clarity of how it is connected.
How Knowledge Graphs Are Used in Practice
A knowledge graph supports work by revealing relevant connections at the moment they matter. Instead of searching across systems and reconciling information manually, users can follow relationships to build understanding as they go.
This is especially useful when:
- Investigating issues that cut across multiple systems.
- Planning work that depends on configuration and past activity.
- Understanding how a change affects related assets or processes.
The knowledge graph does not replace existing systems of record. It provides a way to
interpret and navigate the information those systems already contain.
