Re: Asking SMEs?

[TechComm Dood <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>]

> I don't understand.  If I have the question "What is
> the procedure for doing X?", can I not just ask it and
> expect a response like "The procedure for doing X is
> Y"?

I don't ask what the procedure is for doing X. I try to do X given
what I know from the specs and the purpose of the application. If I
get stuck, then I have data to provide them so that they can
understand that I gave it a go, I obviously misunderstood something,
and show them that I'm doing my part to use the applications they
write in a manner a user would so I would gain better understanding of
how to explain what they developed to a user.

By asking "What is the procedure for doing X", you're asking them to
give you the answer. That's cheating, at least in the mind of most
programmers, who are problem-solvers above all else.

> What must I "bring to the table" in asking my
> question, other than a willingness to reciprocate if
> and when the SME has a question for me, and, of
> course, a professional attitude?

See above.

> Do you carry candy or something with you to hand out?
> Ball game tickets?

No and no. I don't bribe people. It sets a terrible precedent.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

WEBWORKS FINALDRAFT - EDIT AND REVIEW, REDEFINED
Accelerate the document lifecycle with full online discussions and unique feedback-management capabilities. Unlimited, efficient reviews for Word
and FrameMaker authors. Live, online demo:
http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l

---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
archiver -at- techwr-l -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Send administrative questions to lisa -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.