Helpful tips for working more effectively with SMEs:
- Introduce yourself and get to know SMEs on a personal level, as well as professional-level.
- Identify your role in a project, and your objectives.
- Communicate to them that their role as a SME is important.
- Persuade SMEs to collaborate with you on a theme of ownership and mutual pride.
- Invite SMEs to participate in project meetings, reviews, etc.
- Gain their respect.
- Be respectful of their time and availability.
- Be organized, efficient, and creative in mining expert knowledge.
- Don’t rely on SMEs to do all the heavy lifting.
- Determine what methods of communication work best for a specific SME.
- In instances where you are experiencing resistance or less than optimal cooperation, you may want to use an endorsement from upper levels of management that identifies your project as one of high importance and visibility.
- Always show appreciation for their time, knowledge, and professionalism.