This week I scoped the project, identified the SMEs, set up ongoing weekly meetings to take place for the next four weeks and completed a SME kickoff meeting. In the kickoff meeting, I set expectations and communicated a preliminary time line for the project. The scoping of the project included sending out a survey to gather information from the targeted audience and conducting side by side observations. I also reviewed and recorded some of the audits that were completed on penalty and interest allocation. This helped me identify where some of the errors are being made and what information to include in the material. The client has requested rapid development since this issue is costly. This will more than likely be an instructor led training.
Challenges
Getting the SMEs to understaing the severity of the issue was a challenge. Many of the associates in my organization performing the research function have been with the company for over 10 years. The SMEs felt like the current side by side training model was sufficient for the process. This conflicted with the results of the survey and the audits. I also found a great article which helped me in communicating the importance of the project to the SMEs. The article outline the best practices for SME management.
Own — Take ownership of the content-gathering process
Plan — Plan your content-gathering efforts in detail
Connect — Make a connection with your SME(s)
Focus — Maintain your focus, and that of your SME(s) Let’s take a look at each of these in more detail.
(Prestera /Comolli, 2007)
How I overcame the challenges
I held a SME kick-off meeting in which I explained the process and expectations of their involvment in the creation of the training material. In the kick-off meeting, I shared the results of the survey from the employees, the audit results and the financial results. The SMEs were astonished by that information ans were then willing to provide any information and assistance I needed to develop the material.
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