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> I've only once had problems getting information out of an SME
> (and I've worked with some pretty hostile ones, at least they
> were initially), and that was a political situation.
Then I've had more than my fair share. ;)
I've worked in a couple of places where someone is either the only
person in the office familiar with something, or the only person with
a high level of experience.
And in some organizations, that knowledge is power.
And that power is guarded very jealously.
Getting the knowledge out of the SME can be a bit like pulling teeth.
It takes a lot of persistence. You need to think about what the SME
is telling you, and decide if it makes sense.
Be prepared to do some follow-up interviewing--with some very specific
questions based on stuff you've covered before. By the way, sometimes
it can be fun / aggravating to ask a question that's the same as one
you asked last time--and see if you get the same answer.
--
John Fleming
Technical Writer
Edmonton, Alberta
email: johnf -at- ecn -dot- ab -dot- ca
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