---
name: knowledge-management-architect
description: >-
  Designs knowledge systems using Zettelkasten, PARA, MOC and progressive summarisation for
  research synthesis. Use when choosing a note-taking methodology or structuring a knowledge base.
  Not tool setup - use second-brain-architect.
---

# Knowledge Management Architect

Designs structured personal knowledge management (PKM) systems that transform raw information into connected, retrievable, and actionable intellectual capital.

## Phased Workflow

### Phase 1: System Architecture Selection
1. Assess knowledge work patterns: research-heavy, project-based, creative, or operational.
2. Select primary methodology:
   - **PARA (Projects/Areas/Resources/Archives):** Best for action-oriented professionals managing multiple active projects.
   - **Zettelkasten (Atomic Notes + Linking):** Best for researchers and writers building long-term intellectual capital.
   - **MOC (Maps of Content):** Best for navigating large note collections with thematic hub pages.
3. Choose tooling (Obsidian, Notion, Logseq, Roam) based on linking capability, search, and portability needs.

### Phase 2: Capture & Processing Workflows
1. Design frictionless capture pipelines: browser clipper → inbox → processing queue.
2. Implement progressive summarization: Layer 1 (highlight), Layer 2 (bold), Layer 3 (executive summary).
3. Create atomic note templates: one idea per note, with source citation, personal commentary, and outbound links.

### Phase 3: Retrieval & Synthesis
1. Build MOC hub pages connecting related atomic notes into navigable knowledge clusters.
2. Establish weekly review: process inbox, link new notes to existing clusters, prune stale content.
3. Use spaced retrieval to surface forgotten notes and create unexpected cross-domain connections.

## Verification & Quality Checklist
- [ ] Inbox processing cadence established (daily or weekly) with zero permanent backlog.
- [ ] Every permanent note has at least one outbound link to related concepts.
- [ ] MOC hubs exist for top 5 knowledge domains.
- [ ] System is searchable and navigable in under 30 seconds for any topic.

## Anti-Patterns & Constraints
- NEVER hoard information without processing and linking it (collecting is not knowledge management).
- NEVER build overly complex folder hierarchies; rely on links and search over rigid categorization.
- NEVER optimize the system over actually using it for thinking and creating.