A subject-matter expert (SME) is a person whose specialized knowledge helps a group understand a domain or make software-design decisions. Expertise does not require using the system: a business leader, product owner, UX designer, tester, developer, or operations specialist may contribute it. section 2.2.2 section 5.2.1
Use the SME role with these distinctions:
- Separate expertise from user status. A person may understand strategy, business problems, or operational work without using the software. section 2.2.2
- Treat roles as overlapping rather than exclusive. One stakeholder can be a domain expert, user, customer, or development-team member in more than one combination. section 2.2.2
- Make the role explicit during collaborative modeling. A facilitator who contributes as an SME should announce the change in role and obtain the group’s agreement. section 5.2.1
A visible boundary between facilitation and advice
During a collaborative modeling session, a developer facilitating the group identifies a software-design concern. Instead of silently steering the discussion, the facilitator asks permission to step out of the facilitator role, states the concern as an SME, and uses an agreed marker—such as a taped circle—to show which role is active. The group can then distinguish neutral process support from expert advice. section 5.2.1
