Publishing content: the subject matter expert's role

Check what subject matter experts (SMEs) need to do to in the content planning and creation process.

Complete the content request form

Find it on the homepage of the intranet, or by searching the intranet for 'content request'.

Send it before you start writing content.

Prepare for a clarification meeting

A clarification meeting happens when the content needs input from a content designer. The digital team will let you know if this is the case.

For the meeting, gather information about:

• who the users are, what the need is and how it will be met
• related processes or workflows
• any known future changes
• processes or schemes, for example, that sit alongside the one being worked on, or which affect the new content

Agree how the work will be managed

In the clarification meeting, agree:

• how you will work together, for example:
• SME to provide source material and content designer writes content
• SME and content designer create content together
• SME writes a draft and sends to content designer to amend for digital platform
• what the timelines are
• people involved, especially for review and signoff
• how often you will meet to review to discuss the content

Review the content for factual accuracy

SMEs correct factual inaccuracies. SMEs don’t rewrite the content, change the style or tone.

Add comments to draft content that content designers share with you.

When the content is agreed as accurate and complete, content designers will:

• review within their team (sometimes called a 2i check)
• proofread
• send for sign off
• send for translation (if it has not been created bilingually)
• publish