When leading a project, the project manager and team usually want to get as much accurate input into the current business processes and what they need to be when the solution is implemented. The project sponsor can envision, champion, and hopefully fund the project, but as far as giving the project manager and team a real world technical expertise in this area...well, he usually doesn't quite cut it.

For what really needs to happen, who will be affected, how things really need to 'work' upon implementation, the project manager must track down end users and technical support individuals for the solution in the customer organizations. These individuals are what are called subject matter experts, or SMEs.

The project team - on the customer side - often includes key project technical members and (SMEs). Subject matter experts bring expert or technical assistance to the project. Team members should be listed in the project charter to establish their roles and commitment to the project and it is critical to include these subject matter experts as team members and advisors throughout the engagement. The table below lists the technical support that a project manager needs from subject matter experts - especially during the analysis phase of the project:

ACTIVITY OUTPUT
Advise project manager on technology strategy Offer technical advice and recommend strategy
Review current architecture Review and document findings
Plan and motivate for technology Offer technology support and motivations
Design the future technical architecture Establish the future technical architecture
Build and assemble technical solution Build and present the feasibility of the solution
Test the technical solution Prepare test cases and scenarios and perform testing of the technical solution