Working with subject-matter experts inside the loop
Step 1 / 4·Three classic problems with SMEs
0/4 steps done
Learning objectives — after this module you will:
- Handle the three classic problems with subject-matter experts
- Get what you need in a short session
- Keep scope from expanding while iterating
Three classic problems with SMEs
Identify the real problem so you fix the right thing.
The subject-matter expert — the person who actually holds the knowledge — is an indispensable source and also the most common bottleneck in instructional design projects. These three problems recur in almost every organisation.
Three problems and how to handle them
| Problem | The real cause | How to handle it |
|---|---|---|
| Wanting to cram everything into the course | To an expert every detail matters — they can no longer tell essential from optional | Ask: 'if learners remembered only three things, what would they be?' and hold them to the answer |
| Forgetting what it is like to be new | A well-studied phenomenon: experts no longer remember not knowing | Have the SME watch a novice attempt the task in silence — far more effective than any explanation |
| No time | They have a day job, and your project is secondary to them | Change the ask: instead of two hours of interview, ask for 20 minutes reacting to a draft |
Why iteration solves the third problem
Asking a busy expert for two hours to tell you everything they know is a large request that produces disorganised information. Asking for 20 minutes to say what is wrong with this draft is far easier to get agreed, and produces much sharper information. This is the biggest practical advantage of the iterative model.
Key takeaway: Do not ask for time to TELL you; ask for time to REACT to a draft.