Why is it discouraged to attempt to assess the future value of an article in KCS?

In the context of KCS (Knowledge-Centered Support), assessing the future value of an article is discouraged primarily because future needs can change, making it inherently unpredictable. The focus of KCS is to maintain a knowledge base that reflects current support practices and customer needs, rather than speculating about what might be required in the future. By trying to predict future value, organizations might make decisions that lead to the premature deletion or modification of articles that still have current relevance, even if their future use is uncertain.

The unpredictability of future needs can lead to inefficiencies, such as retaining articles that are no longer necessary or discarding ones that could still provide value. This principle emphasizes the importance of keeping the knowledge base relevant based on actual use and feedback rather than theoretical projections. Therefore, aiming for a knowledge base that evolves with real-time input helps ensure its accuracy and usefulness.