| "Question everything. Learn something. Answer | | | | useful insights which could help you in the target |
| nothing." Engineer's Motto | | | | audience analysis. |
| He stares at you from behind his thick glasses. Years | | | | 3. What skills are most critical to success for the |
| of stress and long hours have taken a toll on him. He's | | | | target audience? |
| dressed in a faded blue shirt and a pair of worn out | | | | By gaining this knowledge you can write your |
| khakis. He takes a sip from his coffee mug and waits | | | | instructions keeping in mind the audience's skill set. |
| for you to say something. From his expression, he | | | | 4. What prior knowledge should someone have before |
| thinks this is a waste of time. | | | | attempting this job/task? |
| You nervously glance at the wall clock. You have 58 | | | | Very important question. When you write your |
| minutes with this engineer. And you have no clue | | | | instructions, you need to know what prior knowledge |
| where to start. Two hours ago your project manager | | | | the audience has because this may save you time |
| assigned you a new project. Here's how her email | | | | and effort. You won't have to include additional |
| read: | | | | information in your instructions. |
| "We've been asked to create a step-by-step | | | | 5. Where can I find more information about this |
| procedure for correctly installing life rafts on our Water | | | | project? |
| Speed Type 1 luxury boats. The target audience for | | | | You need to know if there is any existing information |
| this project is our graveyard shift assembly line techs. | | | | you can use for your project. |
| Currently, they view a twenty minute video on how to | | | | 6. What are the challenges you think we'll face? |
| install these life rafts. Our Quality Assurance | | | | You want to know in advance about the problems |
| department reported that these life rafts were | | | | you'll need to solve. |
| incorrectly installed. So we will provide them | | | | 7. What are some causes for failure you have |
| step-by-step instructions on how to do this. It will be | | | | observed in people who have not been able to |
| part of a manual which will be assigned to each line | | | | successfully perform this job? |
| tech. | | | | One of your project's goals should be to address past |
| Contact Ron Anderson who is the lead engineer and | | | | failures and provide solutions to ensure that these |
| the SME for this project. I just spoke to him - he has | | | | failures are not repeated. |
| an hour available today, and then he is off on a two | | | | 8. Are there reference materials (such as policies and |
| week vacation." | | | | procedures) or manuals available? |
| Suddenly, a light bulb goes on in your head. You dig | | | | Existing material can provide you with valuable |
| through your notes and find a list of 10 questions. You | | | | information. |
| vaguely remember reading about this list in an old issue | | | | 9. Who are the other parties involved in this project? |
| of TWTK. You turn on your voice recorder and start | | | | There could be others who are already working on |
| asking the SME these questions: | | | | some aspect of this project. You need to know who |
| 1. How much do you know about this project? | | | | they are so you can follow up with them to get more |
| You want to find out from him all the background | | | | information. |
| information about this project. This information may be | | | | 10. Do you have any questions for me? |
| useful for your project and may cut your research | | | | Give the SME an opportunity to ask questions. |
| time. | | | | These questions are not a complete list but they will |
| 2. What is your view of the target audience for this | | | | help steer your project in the right direction. And when |
| project? | | | | you're just starting off on a project, you need to know |
| Your goal is to get the SME's perspective on the | | | | which direction you need to head towards. |
| target audience. The SME may provide you with | | | | |