Subject Matter Expert in Technical Communication

The subject matter expert is the genesis of the software development process and can be an invaluable member of the team. Because their involvement in the software development process is short lived and there is a role to guide them through the process. Technical Writer can not be created quality document without interacting with SME.

Who is SME?

A Subject Matter Expert (SME) is a person who is an expert in a particular area. Regularly, the term is used when there are professionals with technical project knowledge but without expertise in the field of application.

Role of SME

To understand the operation of application
Provide the information on what needs to be built
Validating the resulting system
To guide Functional Analyst through the process
Set expectations
Willingness to drive the group
To interact with different personalities to develop a network of relationships

Importance of SME

To improve quality of document
For better efficiency
To articulate business needs
To develop a network of relationships

Behavior with SME

To understand the information that the SME has to share
To guide them through understanding how the process will work.
Value each others views
Think before argue
Communicate clearly and politely

Meeting and Preparation of meeting with SME

Be prepared with all data
Understand the lacking area
Share views and suggestions
Respect and take best of all views
Set goals as an individual and as a team.

Without interacting with SME is an impossible to make quality document. Technical writers can make document but it might be faulty.

By Sharad Bachhav
Published: 5/27/2008

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