Knowledge capture is the process by which knowledge is converted from tacit to explicit form (residing within people, artifacts or organizational entities) and vice versa through the sub-processes of externalization and internalization. The knowledge being capured might reside outside the organizational boundaries including consultants, competitors, customers, suppliers, etc.

Externalization is the sub-process through which an organization captures the tacit knowledge its workers possess so that it can be documented, verbalized and shared. This is a difficult process because tacit knowledge is often difficult to articulate.

Internalization is the sub-process through which workers acquire tacit knowledge. It represents the traditional notion of learning. Knowledge capture can also be conducted outside an organization.