Here's how you can foster and sustain relationships with subject matter experts to optimize project outcomes.

To optimize project outcomes, identify subject matter experts (SMEs) and build strong relationships with them. Engage regularly, value their insights, and collaborate closely to ensure their expertise enhances your project's success.

Reflecting on my experiences, a mentor is key. These two factors come to mind. 1.Bouncing Project Ideas: A mentor or coach offers a fresh perspective on your ideas. They can help refine your concepts, identify potential pitfalls, and suggest improvements based on their experience. This collaborative brainstorming ensures that your project ideas are robust and well-thought-out. 2. Maintaining Project Focus: It's easy to get sidetracked with so many elements to manage in a project. A mentor or coach acts as a compass, helping you stay focused on your goals. They remind you of your primary objectives and keep you aligned with your project’s vision, ensuring that every step you take is purposeful and directed towards achieving your goals.

Begin by pinpointing the exact expertise your project needs and seek out professionals with a proven track record in those areas. Utilize your network, industry associations, and social media platforms to find the right experts. Clearly outline your project and articulate the value their expertise brings, emphasizing why their involvement is essential for success.

The first step for commencement of any project is to align the same with right resources to make it successful. Hence, once you have identified your project please connect with the subject matter experts for their support and guidance to execute the project with their experience. Gather related and updated information from Trade or Industry associations and professionals in the field of your project. Draw a detailed outline of your project and discuss with the experts with clear vision and how theie expertise will support and help your project to be successful.

1. Seek help within your Firm for the “expert” in a specific strategic or tactical objective 2. Don’t assume you know the correct expert – they may be a layer or two lower than expected – this is a terrific opportunity to build someone up and provide appropriate exposure on a project 3. Pressure Test the SME – “If you were in my role, how would you approach this specific task or project?” Validate you have the appropriate SME. JRP

Building rapport with SMEs helps ensure you gain valuable information about where he or she wants to pursue opportunities. It’s also very important to building trust as it is any relationship.

One of the largest hurdles is often that, what we (as a bid team) expect, in terms of time and effort, is very different from what SMEs expect/have been instructed by their manager etc. The more flexible and understanding we are, the more involvement we will get. Often these are operational staff who are having large chunks of time taken up. Understand their workload, pressures and see where we can relieve it. This is a two-way street. If we resort to escalation immediately, we are unlikely to garner their support again. Include them, but understand they may feel like they have other priorities.

Build strong connections with subject matter experts to improve project results. Start by building rapport through open communication, showing respect, and valuing their expertise. This foundation will help sustain productive relationships and ensure successful collaboration.

A healthy and respectful relationship fetches better support. Once you have identified the right SME or mentor for your project, do some research on his work achievements. Ensure before discussion with him for your project build a strong bond through your connection or meeting him to discuss on his current work. After you have developed a relationship with him and know his work, discuss about your project and his support and guidance. Create and appreciate his work to develop an interest in you which will pave the path for longer relationship. Your personal relationship before discussion of your project will lay a strong bond. Encash on this relationship and take it forward.

Spaces of belonging have to be fostered. A safe space that enables bridges to be built for continued lasting relationships that go beyond even the subject matter. Open up. Share stories. Be transparent. A persons humanity must be cared for. Conversations are more robust and goals and shared visions come about easier when we create safe spaces of belonging and vulnerability.

Draw a detailed roadmap for your project such as specific objectives, time schedule, expectations on results, aligning with other projects, benefit and challenges. All the above must be clearly designed and defined to SMEs in a very open and transparent way for his better understanding about the project and it's objectives. SME will be able to extend necessary guidance on the project only if it is clearly communicated to them. He may be a subject matter experts but each project has its own goals and vision. So, it is very important SME must be given a conducive environment and understanding with clear communication to share their guidance.

1. State your strategic goals simply, clearly, and concisely with a follow up clarifying question to validate that the SME understands your Strategic Objectives 2. Suggest a few Tactical opportunities tied to this strategy and elicit feedback on what the SME would add to these suggestions 3. Asl for SME feedback on what some of your blind-spots may be since you are not the SME – that requested feedback validates the SME’s importance in their role JRP

In my experience having managed various projects in diverse topics with different type of resources implementing regular communication is vital; Schedule consistent check-ins and updates to align on project goals and address issues in real time.

Think about a plane. We are here, now where are we going? What do we have in our luggage? What airline are flying? What are the weather conditions? What do we need to know before take off? What will we do when we land? Lack of clear communication can cause confusion leading to strained work environments and lack of trust in your ability to successfully do your job. Be honest and transparent always. Be detailed when necessary. Bigger picture when necessary. Always walk away with a recap to reassure everyone is aligned and moving in the same direction.

By creating a collaborative and welcoming environment, where SMEs feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas, you can foster a strong and mutually beneficial working relationship.

Bringing SMEs together at the start of a project is critical. This provides the opportunity to lay out all the perspectives, opinions, challenges, and risks to the project early. By identifying these at the start, you can build in contingencies and mitigations alongside your SMEs, and embed milestones to bring your SMEs back in. This shapes at which points they will be involved or consulted, and enables them to feel like they have buy in as part of the project. It also supports them to manage priorities and deadlines which boosts their motivation to contribute on an on-going basis.

Mistakes happen when you put the cart before the horse. Buildings fall when the base isn’t secure. SME’s are the base. Yes, brainstorm and have your ideas to bring to the table, but bringing the experts or the people “closest to the issues” into the step by step process, builds community and stronger project outcomes.

1. Value their Expertise: In my experience, subject matter experts (SMEs) thrive when their knowledge is valued. Their input is very helpful in planning and decision-making. 2. Mutual Respect: If SMEs voice is heard, this fosters trust and collaboration. 3. Clear Comms: One thing I have found helpful is setting clear expectations for collaboration. This includes outlining their role, how their input will be used, and timelines for feedback. 4. Make it Efficient: SMEs are often busy. I strive to be respectful of their time by scheduling focused meetings with clear agendas and concise questions. 5. Show Appreciation: A simple thank you goes a long way. I express my gratitude for their time and insights, both verbally and in emails.

I like to conduct regular collaboration sessions with my SMEs. These sessions enhance team cohesion and alignment around project goals, and they encourage active participation and continuous engagement from SMEs. The collaboration sessions can take the form of workshops, brainstorming meetings, or even regular 1:1s for more informal feedback loops. Here's how it typically works: - I schedule bi-weekly or monthly workshops focused on key project milestones. - I use collaborative tools and platforms to facilitate real-time discussions and document ideas. - I ensure these sessions are well-facilitated to keep them productive and focused. - I circle back in Slack with a confirmation of our key learnings & next steps

In any relationship appreciation have an edge over monetary rewards. It is important to extend thankful gesture to SME for his guidance and support. Showing gratitude through words and written communication develop a long term relationship. A token of memento with an appreciation letter recognising his contributions will create enormous motivation. Such act of appreciation will build a long term relationship and healthy bond between both of you. You can count on SME's support and guidance for all your future projects. Appreciation cost nothing but deliver best results.

To optimize project outcomes, build and maintain strong relationships with subject matter experts by showing appreciation. Recognize their contributions, value their expertise, and express gratitude regularly. Simple gestures of thanks can go a long way in fostering collaboration and success.

By incorporating EQ strategies into your interactions, you can create a more supportive and appreciative environment for your SMEs. This not only enhances your current collaboration but also builds a strong foundation for future projects. One helpful tip is to acknowledge efforts publicly and privately: While public recognition, such as mentioning their contributions in meetings or reports, is important, don’t overlook the power of a private, sincere conversation. Taking a moment to personally thank them and express how their work has been instrumental can be very meaningful.

Expressing gratitude not only motivates SMEs to continue their valuable contributions but also fosters a sense of respect and collaboration within the team. Appreciating the efforts of SMEs not only enhances project outcomes but also promotes a positive and supportive work environment where everyone feels valued and acknowledged.

1. Recognize colleagues in public as often as possible – DO NOT worry about praising others – that praise will be returned to you by a factor of 10X 2. Focus on the results of the SME when you recognize them – building them up as you share their talents with others in the organization 3. Send a simple hand-written Thank You note to them – it will be both un-expected and appreciated JRP

Go deeper and understand their WHY. What is the reason they said yes to the opportunity to align with you. What excites them about the project. What is their vision and does it align with yours. Ask what matters most to them and if they are truly committed to your mutual success.

1. Build a dashboard to track the progress of the SME & the specific project. 2. Without accountability, progress to Goal- your core objective – will be more difficult to execute. While this may lead to difficult conversations behind closed doors, if there is no accountability the path to success is limited. 3. If you made a mistake on an SME, cut quick and move on. Your role is not to save everyone, your role is goal achievement with the Team you select JRP

While I think the steps outlined above are on point, an important thing that is missing is your personal perspective. Always keep in mind what you yourself bring to the table: What is your role? How do you contribute? What should the SME expect from you? And keep in mind to be open about both your pros and your cons. Relationships is by definition a team exercise so being open about what you can do and almost more importantly your own limitations helps any SME to connect and more easily trust you. In short, let them know how you can help, and how you can't help - that way they will know how they can help you.