Listening: the Often Forgotten Ingredient

If listening isn't in the mix when developing documentation, then the project may not cook.

Allen, Clare. Boston Broadside (1992). Articles>Documentation>Collaboration>SMEs

Managing SMEs - Part 1: A Primer for Success

Just the thought of dealing with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) can create stress in the life of any documentation manager. Philip Rastocny provides in-depth insight on how best to deal with SMEs.

Rastocny, Philip. Writing Assistance (2006). Articles>Management>Documentation>SMEs

SMEs in a Nutshell  

I admit that I don't know everything about subject-matter experts or SMEs (rhymes with please). But I do know that there are some things that you should avoid asking SMEs, the main ones being 'Does the user know this already?' and 'Do I need to explain this to the user?' The problem with these questions is that the SME is likely to reply 'No!' to both of them when in fact the answer is most definitely 'Yes.' SMEs tend to believe that everyone knows as much about technology as they do. Never, never, never let the SMEs tell you how to write the documentation. A SME is the subject matter expert, not the documentation expert (that's you).

Docsymmetry (2003). Articles>Documentation>Collaboration>SMEs

Tools and Techniques for Working with Subject-Matter Experts to Create Plain Language Manuals  

This paper discusses tools and techniques for editors and writers who need to work with subject matter experts (i.e., engineers, programmers, accountants, etc.) to create plain language manuals.

Rosenberg, Nad. Clarity (2008). Articles>Documentation>SMEs>Minimalism

Unproductive Review Practices: Why They’re Still Around Even Though People Know Better…

I have a theory about why we continually see subject matter expertise for review applied to the task of copy-editing, and why that practice is so hard to change. The theory is built around how we: learn to write, learn to review, and ask for review.

Bernick, Philip. Brainery.net (2009). Articles>Documentation>Editing>SMEs

A Few Thoughts on Documentation for the Power User

Power user. It’s a term that I don’t like. But there definitely are people out there who are working with the software and hardware that we document who want more than just basic information. Getting them that information can be tricky.

Nesbitt, Scott. DMN Communications (2009). Articles>Documentation>Audience Analysis>SMEs