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On my current project, for one of the parts of the business I get to
document, I got the impression the SMEs were going to be hard to work
with. They seemed unenthusiastic about the idea of having an outside
writer do the documentation.
In a way, I can't blame them. I've seen some of the stuff produced by
writers who "didn't survive." Also, it's an area of the business
where it helps to know a bit of math.
Now, math is one subject area where I think I have a decisive
advantage over many other tech writers, and I think as soon as my SMEs
sensed that, they became easier to work with.
Same thing with another area of the business where I'm doing
documentation.
While they didn't have the same up-front reluctance as the first
group, it is an area of the business where a knowledge of the business
and a good understanding of math helps.
And their supervisor has said to me that having a writer who knows the
math and understands the business is great. Early in my involvement
with the project, I understand the supervisor was worried I'd get
redeployed to another department.
Since those early days, I've developed a wonderful working
relationship with the SMEs
And i think a part of it comes from having things in my own background
that make it easier to work with them.
> While the reasons for the friction that characterizes many
communicator/SME
> relationships can be complex, I'd suggest that part of the friction
with
> SMEs comes from our willingness to label them as "geeks". While
this term
> is not always derogatory, we generally mean it to be when we use it,
and our
> meaning, or intention, is carried over into our relationships with
our SMEs.
--
John Fleming
Technical Writer
Edmonton, Alberta
email: johnf -at- ecn -dot- ab -dot- ca
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