Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) play a crucial role in the world of instructional design. They are essential members of teams involved in training and performance improvement projects. SMEs often lead training sessions, share their expertise, and collaborate with instructional designers to create impactful learning experiences.
While SMEs are invaluable resources, they also pose challenges for learning experience designers. Here are a few common issues faced when working with SMEs:
- SMEs may be too busy to provide necessary assistance
- Experts sometimes struggle to explain basic concepts due to the “curse of knowledge”
- Verbalizing tacit knowledge can be difficult for SMEs
- SMEs may push for including more content than needed to achieve performance goals
Fortunately, there are several books available that focus on working effectively with SMEs. Let’s explore some of the top books that can help instructional designers build successful relationships with subject matter experts.
Chuck Hodell, renowned for his book ISD From the Ground Up, offers practical insights in his book about working with SMEs. Hodell shares his wealth of experience and provides actionable strategies for creating strong relationships with SMEs. The book covers essential topics like selecting the right SMEs, working with SME committees, and managing challenges effectively. Hodell emphasizes the importance of integrating SMEs into the design process, making this book a valuable resource for designers at all levels.
Effective SMEs offers practical guidance on empowering SMEs to become successful facilitators. The book emphasizes structured facilitation techniques for virtual and in-person training sessions. From designing for SME delivery to coaching SMEs using interactive methods, this book covers a range of strategies for maximizing the potential of SMEs. Whether you’re guiding SMEs in online training or video training, this book provides valuable insights for instructional designers.
This book offers a practical framework for optimizing the designer-SME relationship. Salvatore presents a methodology for collaborating with SMEs at different stages of the instructional design process. While exploring topics like capturing SME knowledge and understanding different SME personalities, the book primarily focuses on achieving successful outcomes in SME partnerships. With included templates for managing SME collaboration, this book provides actionable steps for instructional designers.
This guide is a valuable resource for novice instructional designers seeking to work effectively with SMEs. Covering essential topics like engaging with SMEs, preparing for interviews, and problem-solving, the author offers practical advice for building successful collaborations. With a focus on eliciting meaningful knowledge and utilizing different question types, this guide is a useful tool for new designers looking to enhance their skills.
