How to Interview an SME Without Wasting Their Time (or Yours)
About this episode
This episode provides a framework for technical writers to conduct efficient interviews with subject matter experts.
Welcome to episode 226 of the Technical Writing Success podcast from Curt Robbins, where we help you get smarter than your competition. This episode is entitled "How to Interview an SME Without Wasting Their Time (or Yours)." Hosts Daphne Blake and Fred Jones provide a comprehensive framework for technical writers to conduct efficient and productive interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs). To respect the expert's limited time, writers should perform rigorous pre-interview research and eliminate any questions that can be answered through independent study. The hosts outline a strategic question spine based on journalism's five Ws and H, emphasizing the importance of identifying prerequisites and use cases. To prevent missing critical details, writers are encouraged to walk through procedures live and act as a proxy for the end-user by asking clarifying questions. Finally, the source highlights that building long-term professional relationships depends on closing the feedback loop and expanding one's network of information sources. _________________________________ "It will not be AI that takes away the job of a technical writer, but rather another technical…
More episodes of Technical Writing Success
- Why Technical Writers Now Spend More Time Editing Than Writing
- The Technical Writer's Guide to Git (Without the Fear)
- Should Technical Writers Learn to Code? The Honest Answer
- How to Pass a Technical Writing Interview and Its Writing Test
- The Technical Writer's Portfolio That Actually Gets You Hired in 2026
- The Documentation Job Market in 2026: Where the Hiring Actually Is
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Technical Writing Success podcast page.