Typical workflows

Use the Classification Quick Start Tool and Classification Workbench to create knowledge bases and decision plans. In most cases, the development of knowledge bases and decision plans follows several basic steps. Your workflow can vary.

You can get up and running quickly with the Classification Quick Start Tool by importing sample content and creating an initial classification project. Then export the resulting knowledge base and decision plan projects into Classification Workbench for further development. Alternatively, you can import content directly into Classification Workbench to develop production-ready knowledge bases and decision plans, as described in the following sections.

Knowledge base development

Before using Classification Workbench to create a knowledge base, you gather (and optionally pre-categorize) data that will form the basis of a content set. If necessary, you convert this data into a format that is recognized by Classification Workbench.

Then you use Classification Workbench to:

Create a knowledge base project by importing data.
Edit and categorize content items, as required.
Create and analyze a knowledge base, and generate analysis results.
Evaluate knowledge base performance by viewing reports and graphs.
As required, improve knowledge base performance by editing the content set and retraining.
Publish the knowledge base to the IBM® Content Classification server.

Figure 1. Knowledge base development

The graph shows a preparation stage, where data is collected and pre-categorized. The data is then imported to Classification Workbench. Three steps occur: the content set file is created and edited, the knowledge base is created and analyzed, and then you view reports and graphs. You repeat these steps to fine tune the content set based on the results in the reports and graphs.

Tip: Creating a knowledge base by using categorized content items yields optimal results. An alternative method using keywords and phrases is also available.

Decision plan development

Typically, you build a decision plan for the Content Classification by following these steps:

Create a decision plan project by importing a content set.
Define rules triggers and actions.
Analyze the decision plan by using the imported content set.
View decision plan reports to check performance.
Fine-tune rules if necessary.

To build a decision plan that makes classification decisions based on match results (that is, category scores), first create a knowledge base project. Then create the decision plan project, add the knowledge base, and define rules based on category scores.

After building a decision plan in Classification Workbench, you publish it to the Content Classification server along with any referenced knowledge bases.

Figure 2. Decision plan development

The graph shows how a content set is imported and a knowledge base is added to a decision plan project. Then rules are built, the decision plan is analyzed, reports are checked and the decision plan is fine-tuned if necessary. Finally, the decision plan is added to the Content Classification server.