Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are invaluable assets within an organisation, recognised for their specialised knowledge and deep expertise in specific fields. They provide essential guidance, support, and solutions to complex challenges, collaborating closely with teams, stakeholders, and leadership to ensure informed decision-making and effective problem-solving.
Personal Story: Experts can provide insights into situations that might take days or months for others to understand, or where critical concepts might be overlooked. I consider myself an expert in various software development areas, such as team leading, testing, agile frameworks, and DevOps. One of the best experiences is having a coffee with an expert and exploring a subject. Recently, I explored a new business idea requiring an IoT solution to capture images based on movement. Initially, my limited knowledge led me to consider a Raspberry Pi with a single camera continuously monitoring images. After two coffees with an expert, we developed a solution with motion detection to start image capture when needed, multiple cameras feeding one microprocessor, and some other innovative design ideas.
Interesting Fact: The term "Subject Matter Expert" gained significant usage and recognition in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in industries like aerospace, defence, and technology companies.
