Dalkir (2005) refers to knowledge capture as a first high-level phase of the knowledge management cycle, but makes difference similar to Becerra-Fernandez and Sabherwal (2010) between the capture or identification of existing knowledge and the creation of new knowledge.

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 captured 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.

You can follow some thoughts about knowledge capture via the following videoclips: