Benefits of the Faceted Classification

The benefits of faceted classification can be summarized as follows:

1. A term can be classified in multiple hierarchies (e.g. doll toys/visual works).  
2. It is independent of the context, within which each term appears, although the context is crucial for the classification of a term in facets. 
3.  It is based only on a restricted number of fundamental concepts. 
4. It can be expanded and thus enables compatibility between different classification systems from different domains without imposing terms on the experts. 
5.  It does not presuppose knowledge regarding the exact context of the terms.
6.  It helps users to discover concepts that are needed in searching or that enhance the logic of the concept hierarchy (e.g. train/bus station, harbour, airport=>traffic station)

Consequently the faceted classification system: 

1. Allows the designing of a consistent, stable and highly expressive set of fundamental concepts that will enable experts to find adequate generalizations.
2. Ensures interoperability between the thesauri already developed in specific scientific.
3. Facilitates users with their research inquiries. 
4. Helps us to avoid the methodological errors that will lead to inconsistencies and incompatibilities between the terms.
5. Help us to achieve the greatest economy of effort in the process of organizing terms.

Faceted classification is useful in thesaurus construction because:

1. it provides a tool for determining the relationships among concepts.
2. It may be used as the systematic display in a thesaurus.
3. facets may be added to terms in existing vocabularies, in order to further define the meaning and role of such terms

The Art and Architecture Thesaurus is an example of a thesaurus built using faceted classification. The facets the AAT have built are Agents, Objects, Materials, Styles and Periods, Activities, Physical Attributes and Associated Concepts.