The main goal of knowledge-based systems is to provide workers with actionable information in support of realworld activities. This includes connecting people with answers, experts with less experienced workers, and delivering knowledge to help solve problems, make decisions, or complete critical work tasks. Many knowledgebased systems and tools, including knowledge portals and performance support systems, have been developed but are simply underutilized because users are unable to locate the information they need. This is largely because these systems are organized more like an encyclopedia structure—alphabetically or thematically—and less like a human activity structure.

What is needed is an organizational and design method to effectively capture, store, and deliver actionable information. Taxonomic structures are appropriate when there is no context. In a hardware store, for example, hammers are in the hammer section, and nails are in the nail section. This organization is based upon a taxonomy. It works well for stores, libraries, dictionaries, and most Web sites. But once a goal has been established and an activity has begun, then a task-based taxonomy, or a "taskonomy", is more effective. This is why, in the real world, carpenters keep their nails with their hammers.

This paper discusses the concepts and framework of a taskonomy and how it is being applied at the Army's Defense Ammunition Center to enable mission performance and information superiority. The paper describes how a taskonomy categorizes tasks into a common format and language. It discusses how this approach serves as the foundation for learning, exercise, and workforce performance objectives to ensure that targeted, timely and relevant training and knowledge resources are in place. Finally, the paper addresses how a taskonomy serves as an important framework for evaluation and assessment of performance.