Externalization is a process of articulating tacit knowledge into such
explicit knowledge as concepts and/or diagrams. The process often uses
metaphors, analogies, and/or sketches. This mode is triggered by a dialogue
intended to create concepts from tacit knowledge. A good example of
externalization is the process of creating a new product concept or developing
a new production process. Here the tacit knowledge in the brains of experts
are articulated and expressed as concepts or drawings, thus becoming explicit
knowledge that can be further studied and refined.