Tina Griffin, Kineo Pacific's eLearning Solutions Manager, gives insightful tips on how to work successfully with even the most difficult of SMEs on eLearning projects. For more information go to www.kineo.com/au

3. Disclaimer
No SMEs were harmed in the making
of this presentation.
Any likeness to a SME, living or dead,
is purely coincidental.

4. SMEs are expert
in their subjects
BUT…
usually don’t
speak ‘learner’
…which makes
you a translator

5. Would the real SME please stand up

6. Initiation
Scoping
Design
Development
Review
When SMEs usually
get involved
…and when they should be involved!
(but how often are they?)

7. SMEs have many faces.
Snow White knew that what worked for Grumpy
would not work for Sleepy.

8. I can give
you 10
minutes in 6
weeks time
Big meeting
with very
important
people

9. TIPS #1
Tweak their role
Schedule & stick to it
…but build in buffer
Go where they are

10. I don’t know a
thing about e-
learning
Why don’t we
create a handout
with all the
information?

11. TIPS #2
Involve them … but be
very very patient
Lists, checklists, guides
Give them visuals
Present scripts verbally

12. I’m not sure –
I’ll have to
check with
my boss
Sorry THEY
didn’t tell me
this before

13. TIPS #3
Clearly define roles
Advise and support
your SME
Find other ways to get
the information
Listen for the warnings

14. WE think that…
WE want this…
WE can’t agree...
I’LL put that
to the..
..committee
..team
..group
..business

15. TIPS #4
Create a lead-SME
Tie down ‘sign-off’
Allow time for review
But …. hold your
ground

16. There’s a typo
on page 63,
3rd word on
paragraph 12
We’ll need the
legislation
written out in
full

17. TIPS #5
Allow 5x more
reviews
Review with screen
shots
Edit using style guide
Throw in an error

18. …jargon …
jargon …
jargon …
jargon
Big word…
complex
sentence
…wordy
explanation

19. TIPS #6
Prepare & be credible
Ask for the book
Record everything
….you’ll probably only
get it once

20. The way I
would explain
this to
learners on
screen is …
I’ll review
that by the
end of the
day

21. TIPS #7
Clearly define roles
Figure out your SMEs
face and adapt
Involve SMEs
throughout the process