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Today's Tip
Save Time Working With Subject Matter Experts

When working with multiple Subject Matter Experts (SME), consider a workshop format. This will save your time and theirs.

1. Have all SMEs set aside approximately a half day of time.
2. Have them individually generate the topics and tasks they believe people will need to learn to do their job or satisfy the identified business need prior to the meeting.
3. Display the topics and tasks on flip charts, or by other means.
4. Ask the group of SMEs to sort for redundancies. then,
5. Ask them to identify the topics or tasks that must be taught, should be taught or could be taught.

Make a case with the SMEs that they should consider eliminating the could-be-taughts to provide enough time for practice and to eliminate interference with what is really important for the learner to know and to be able to do.

Can’t get together in person? Try using a virtual meeting. For best results the meeting should be synchronous. That is, everyone is present at the same time.

These tips should give you some immediate results, but it's important to remember that working with SMEs can be a complex and nuanced issue.

Regards, Darryl

P.S. You can find out more about working with subject matter experts in the DSA workshop, The Instructional Developer Workshop.
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Article © 2010 Darryl L. Sink & Associates, Inc.