Working successfully with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)

One of the challenges (and joys) of being an Instructional Designers is developing training materials for subjects we may know little about! In this case we rely on Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to provide us with the content we need. If you haven’t worked with an SME before, this can be quite an ‘interesting’ process. SMEs range from the person who provides information on a ‘need to know’ only basis – so you have to squeeze the information out of them one piece at a time – to the person who gets so involved in your project that he or she starts to take over and suddenly becomes an expert in how training should be designed, as well! So here are some tips for working successfully with SMEs:

· Be clear on the role of the SME. Ensure they understand that is their role to:

o provide feedback on scope and learning outcomes

o help the Instructional Designer to understand key concepts

o ensure that content is accurate and complete

o provide realistic examples as input to learning materials and exercises

o suggest areas for emphasis (e.g. likely pitfalls for learners).

· Once you have gathered the details you need for the content of your course, take some time to present back key concepts to the SMEs in your own words – this will ensure that you have the understanding you need before you design the learning materials.

· Provide some details of your design philosophy and ideas, to manage their expectations of the learning materials. While you may invite their input on the design, it’s important to ‘gently manage’ the SME so they realise that you do not need their feedback on how the learning has been designed. (That’s your area of expertise!)

· Share your project timeframes with your SMEs and ensure you have their buy-in on their feasibility. Make sure the SMEs understand any critical deadlines you face (such as launch dates of new systems or procedures).

· Make sure that the SME’s manager understands the SME’s role and the likely time commitment which will be required (for meetings, document review etc)

· Try and develop a small group of SMEs so you get multiple points of view, and to spread the workload a bit. If you work with a group, make sure you meet with them regularly (getting their input at each point in the development process). If you issue documents for review, collect the feedback during a walk-through meeting, rather than asking each person to respond to you individually. You’d be surprised how often SMEs disagree with each other – even to the point of providing conflicting feedback. A meeting gives you the chance to resolve any disagreements and determine the best way forward.

· Share the credit with SMEs when your training is launched. Recognise their help and their time.

· A happy SME will not only provide you with the information you need, he or she will become a champion for your training products.

Want to know more about working with SMEs? A couple of my favourite elearning sites have articles on this subject. The suggestions they make would apply to all forms of learning development and some of their tips would also be useful for general business analysis (gathering information about processes, system requirements, etc):

· Articulate blog - How to get the most out of your subject matter experts

· eLearning Guild – Managing the unmanageable subject matter expert (You may need to register to view this article. Registration is free)

Should we ban clip art?

Okay, I’ll start with a disclaimer here. I don’t like clip art! If you’ve worked with me on a project recently you’ll notice that I like to use photos in presentations and elearning rather than clip art. I blame Garr Reynolds, the author of Presentation Zen, for this preference!

Look at the two images to the right? Which looks the most professional? Would you use the second image (the clip art classroom) in your financial report or on your website? Then why use it in learning materials?

Please be clear, I’m not suggesting a total ban on images provided by Microsoft. The images in this newsletter were all obtained by going to Microsoft’s clip art download site: http://office.microsoft.com/en-au/clipart/default.aspx. I am, however, suggesting that photos look more professional and develop a stronger connection with the learner than the

cartoon-like images which are generally provided as clip art. So when you search for images at Microsoft’s site, I’d suggest selecting ‘photos’ in the search options drop down list, for professional images which will make your training materials look great.

‘But that’s no fun!’ I hear some of you say. I’ve heard some trainers say they use clip art to inject a bit of fun into their learning materials. All I can respond is that, as a learner, that doesn’t work for me. I have more fun when the learning is well designed, so I become engaged with the materials. But - as I did say at the start of this piece - I just don’t like clip art, so maybe this is my personal bias. I don’t like to use bullet points that whiz across the screen or sounds like clapping or trumpet fanfares in PowerPoint or elearning either, so maybe I’ve just had a ‘fun bypass!’

Objective setting – free online tutorial

I may not like clip art but I do like setting objectives!

Objective setting is one of those really useful skills that a lot of us miss out on early in our careers. But if you’re involved with strategic planning; if you’re responsible for managing performance; or if you have to set objectives for your own role, you could benefit from some training in objective setting.

I have recently developed an elearning module on objective setting. The course was developed as a demonstration of the type of course that can be easily built using just PowerPoint and rapid elearning authoring tools (in this case, Articulate). For people attending my elearning and instructional design workshops, this online course provides an illustration of some techniques as well as a starting point for discussions on how the course could be improved (including alternative approaches to the materials).

If you (or anyone in your organisation) would like to find out more about objective setting, you’re welcome to complete the online objective setting workshop. I’d appreciate your feedback!

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Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or comments about this newsletter.

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Kind regards

Diane Wilson

P: 9960 7500

M: 0425 203 655

E: diane.wilson@synchronism.com.au

W: www.synchronism.com.au

Synchronism

design for learning

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