Proficiency Check | SME Preference Sheets

A while back I shared about personal user manuals and how having one supports SMEs in knowing how to work best with you. But it wasn't until a coworker shared one of their strategies for working with SMEs that I learned about a SME Preference Sheet.

What is a SME Preference Sheet?

Sometimes as an ID, you're working with the same SMEs on multiple projects. A SME Preference Sheet is a collection of the notes you've taken from that SME across projects, the patterns you've noticed. Maybe a tricky SME always wants particular words or phrases in bold. Maybe they always want to reference a particular framework, company mission, or use specific colors. Whatever the case, a SME Preference Sheet tracks these.

Why have one?

Tracking these preferences helps you potentially move through projects quickly. Have an eLearning for the SME to review? Look over the SME Preference Sheet first to be sure you can fix the things they like first. This may cut down on how many comments you get in feedback.

Having this strategy keeps you client-centric and helps you say the yesses where you can, giving you more social credit to push back when you need to.

How to create one:

I recommend using whatever note-taking system works for you. When you get feedback on a project, note the patterns you see.

Take screenshots of comments that don't make sense to you so that, when you get clarity from them, you can decipher future notes. Keep copies of the emails that you send that get responses, etc. Track common behaviors of the SME and which strategies you've found have and have not worked. For instance, maybe a SME is always late getting you feedback. But you've noticed that sending a calendar invite to them to review the material in person with you is more effective.

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Whatever works to keep the stakeholder on track and move the project along, make a note of it so that you can use it with this stakeholder in future projects. Remember, as IDs, we don't have jobs without SMEs, but they have jobs without us. So the more we can make working with us smooth, the better.

One note of warning: Be careful how (and if) you share these notes. While you may want to share your SME Preference Sheet with the SME to confirm your understanding, how you phrase something for yourself might come across as less than ideal for the SME, your coworkers, and even HR. I recommend this strategy remain more of a personal-tool than a team tool.

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