A subject-matter expert or domain expert is a person who is an authority in a particular
area or topic.
The term domain expert is frequently used in expert systems software development, and
there the term always refers to the domain other than the software domain.
A domain expert is a person with special knowledge or skills in a particular area of endeavor.
An accountant is an expert in the domain of accountancy, for example.
The development of accounting software requires knowledge in two different domains, namely
accounting and software.
Some of the development workers may be experts in one domain and not the other.
A SME should also have basic knowledge on other technical subjects.
Function In general, the term is used when developing
materials about a topic, and expertise on the topic is needed by the personnel developing
the material.
For example, tests are often created by a team of psychometricians and a team of subject
matter experts.
The psychometricians understand how to engineer a test while the subject matter experts understand
the actual content of the exam.
Books, manuals, and technical documentation are developed by Technical writers and instructional
designers in conjunctions with SMEs.
Technical communicators interview SMEs to extract information and convert it into a
form suitable for the audience.
SMEs are often required to sign off on the documents or training developed, checking
it for accuracy.
SMEs are also necessary for the development of training materials.
Software In software engineering environments, the
term is used to describe professionals with expertise in the field of application.
The term "SME" also has a broader definition in engineering and high tech as one who has
the greatest expertise in a technical topic.
SMEs are often asked to review, improve, and approve technical work; to guide others; and
to teach.
According to Six Sigma, a Subject Matter Expert "exhibits the highest level of expertise in
performing a specialized job, task, or skill of broad definition."
In Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology areas, ASTM standard E 2500 specifies SMEs for various
functions in project and process management.
SME is defined as an individual who is an expert on that subject.
In one project, there will be many SMEs who are experts on Air, Water, Utilities, process
machines, process, packaging, storage, distribution and supply chain management, to name a few.
In software development, as in the development of "complex computer systems" a SME is a person
who is knowledgeable about the domain being represented.
The SME tells the software developers what needs to be done by the computer system, and
how the SME intends to use it.
The SME may interact directly with the system, possibly through a simplified interface, or
may codify domain knowledge for use by knowledge engineers or ontologists.
An SME is also involved in validating the resulting system.
SME has formal meaning in certain contexts such as CMMs.
Electronic discovery In electronic discovery environments, the
term is used to describe professionals with expertise using Computer Assisted Review technology/Technology
Assisted Review to perform searches designed to produce precisely refined results that
identify groups of data as potentially responsive or non-responsive to relevant issues.
E-discovery SMEs also typically have experience creating the search strings used in the search
process.
Law A lawyer in administrative agency may be designated
as a SME if he specializes in a particular field of law, such as tort law.
See also Domain knowledge
Expert system Knowledge Engineer
Knowledge Engineering Subject matter expert Turing test
System testing Usability
User Acceptance Testing User interface design
Bullshit bingo References
A Domain Expert, 606 Different Types of Systems Users, 2004, University
of Calgary Bultman, Kuipers, Harmelen, 2005, Maintenance
of KBS's by Domain Experts External links
A glossary of UML at Usability First For computer subject-matter expert
Supporting the Domain Expert in Planning Maintenance of KBS's by Domain Experts
Subject Matter Expert Personal Resources Inventory