This post is one in a series that answers questions from viewers of the January 28 KnowledgeVision Google Hangout where we talked about the challenges of working with SMEs.

Question from Amy:

When having SMEs review material for content, what is your approach? Do you prefer a facilitated session to walk through the material or allow them to review the material independently to provide feedback? Or does it depend on the type of SME you are dealing with?

I think it depends more on the material than the SME. If the material is very involved, or requires many steps for example, you would want to review it with them. For example, if you are reviewing documentation for a new software program, everyone is still learning what was in each field and drop down menu, so it is good to be with your SMEs for reviews. You will want to ask questions to clarify the content of fields, review drop downs menus and steps for accessing the program such as new password protocols.

Sometimes the material is straightforward, especially if your SME gave you a lot of great information to work at the outset. You may have detailed slides or journal articles that they’ve authored in which case their review of the content is probably going to be rather perfunctory. In that case, you can probably write most of your training from their content with pretty much confidence. During the review, they can independently check your word choices, context, how you’ve framed things, review questions and answers if you’ve written those, and check case studies to make sure they feel authentic. But, no, in the case where you have a lot of good content to write the project, I don’t think you would need to be with them for that review. In fact, I personally would rather let them have time on their own to review it and think about it.

I cover this topic in the book in more detail including review sign off sheets and a flow chart for documenting processes.

If readers have  experience handling complex reviews with subject matter experts, I’d like to hear how you’ve handled it. Contact me at workingwithsmes@gmail.com with questions, or leave a message in the comment section.