Tips on Handling Subject Matter Experts (SME)

I’ve been following responses to a question on LinkedIn’s eLearning Guild group about working with subject matter experts, or SMEs. Here is my response to some of the ideas other group members posted:

Recognize that how you manage the SME will have a significant impact on the success of your eLearning project in terms of time, cost, and quality.
Inform your SME of the goals of your project and the amount of time it will take to meet them. Provide a mutually-agreed-upon timeline for when you need the SME.
Ask the SME whether his or her supervisor understands the time commitment the training program will require.
Show the SME a sample of a similar eLearning project in order to educate him or her on what to expect from this project. Provide a quick overview of the complexity of the final deliverable, the team effort necessary, and especially, the importance of expert input.
Whenever possible, let the SME react to content. Start with a rough outline that uses a lesson/topic format.
Respect the SME’s time; come prepared with questions that encourage the SME to tell you stories. And above all, listen!
Use a spreadsheet or Word outline template to assist the SME with writing ideas down on “paper”.
Use a web-based team site or wiki as a document repository and as a way to keep the SME informed of all project phases and the roles of other team members.
Aggressively renegotiate deadlines when necessary. Take the lead on communicating with the primary stakeholder when deadlines change due to SME time constraints.
Honor the expert throughout the development process. Tell the development team about the important contributions the SME makes to the project.

Inspiration for this post also came from: the Articulate blog; from Clark Aldrich’s blog, which specially deals with immersive learning simulation and game development; and from Jenise’s Ridge view media blog.

Thanks for sharing these tips. I really found this post informative and helpful. I must agree managing SME can be quiet a gamble and from my experience I must agree with tip #3. SMEs should be notified of the adequate time they will have to pitch in.
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All great points. I am starting into e-learning as a designer in academia and any tips/ideas for working with SME is a big help. We use design worksheets to help the SME keep outcomes in mind, enusure quality and the importance of the overall timeline of the design project. Thanks Jon!

Excellent tips. I would just add that from my experience, it's very important to build in plenty of time for review and revisions. Not only does this ensure that nothing is "lost in translation", it also gives the SME plenty of opportunity to provide feedback.

Just to elaborate on some of the excellent points Jon has made here. #3 Ask the SME whether his or her supervisor understands the time commitment the training program will require. Just CC the manager on email communications summarizing the goals, timeline and SMEs responsibilities. Also send feedback when they are not meeting their goals or when they are doing an excellent job. #5 Whenever possible, let the SME react to content. Start with a rough outline that uses a lesson/topic format. Definately and also agree w/ Kate that this is a collaboration. Often times SMEs are going to tip you in on how best to reach their audience, scheduling issues, etc. Not listening could be disastrous!

I also agree with Jon's tips, specifically tips #2 and #3. These two steps are a critical during the beginning stages of a project. If the timeline is not clearly established or the supervisor does not understand the time commitment, the project will have a tough time getting off the ground. Utilizing these tips is an important part of a successful project.

I agree with everything here except for the title - and the world view it seems to espouse. In our experience, SMEs don't like to be "handled." They are collaborators with attitude. Our job is to enhance their work; their job is to recognize that we are enhancing their work. When respect rules, the project succeeds.