How to Interview Engineering Subject Matter Experts

An interview with an engineering subject matter expert can be a daunting task; the more knowledge an engineer has, the more difficult they may find it to explain their work in lay terms. Often, highly technical engineers find it difficult to articulate what they do and how it is relevant and important to your audience. The responsibility of the interviewer is to assist the engineer in her explanation, helping her to communicate highly technical or complex information to a non-expert audience.

Instructions

Preparation

1. Research the interview subject. Before you interview an engineering subject matter expert, read everything you can find about him or her. If possible, find publications authored by your interview subject, and read them thoroughly. Do a Google search for his name, read the professional biography on his company website, and find any information in print and digital formats. While this information will not necessarily be relevant to your interview topic, it may help you to establish a rapport with the interviewee.

2. Understand the specific area of engineering. Find out the engineering subject matter expert's area of specialization and be sure you understand the basic concepts. Your interview will be more successful if you can use and comprehend some of the technical jargon. That way, your interview subject will be able to skip rudimentary explanations and get right to the heart of the topic.

3. Read market publications. If you understand the current trend of technology and developments in your subject matter expert's area of specialization, you will be able to ask relevant and timely questions. It may also help to have a store of anecdotes to help you understand complex concepts.

During the Interview

1. Develop a rapport. Engineering subject matter experts can be intimidating, but enter into the interview with a smile and friendly manner. If you are relaxed and open, you are more likely to put your interview subject matter at ease. Open with some easy conversation about the weather, the offices--anything that you can both converse about without much thought. This initial period allows your subject matter expert to relax and see you as a non-threatening person. The more comfortable she is, the easier the interview will be.

2. Ask for a summary. To begin the technical part of the interview, ask the subject matter expert to give you an overview of his or her work. Don't be afraid of silences; if you don't rush to speak, the interviewee will be more likely to fill the gaps. Listen carefully to their overview, and write down points for which you would like more information.

3. Go for the details. Once you have a basic understanding of the process, ask for details about the areas you noted. Ask open-ended questions that prompt the engineer to expand upon his initial statement. Don't be afraid to ask questions that seem obvious or simple; a deeper understanding will prompt further questions, leading you to the full picture.

4. Draw a picture. If the engineering process is complex or highly technical, reiterate it back to the subject matter expert and draw a picture to illustrate your understanding. This will help create a visual connection between pieces of the story, and will allow the engineer to identify areas that need further explanation. Engineers use diagrams frequently in their work, and the familiar medium may assist her in articulating dense information.

5. Change the subject. If you are having trouble getting the subject matter expert to explain his work to you in a clear manner, try changing the subject. Ask about a simple area of engineering that you understand. This will allow you to relax and collect your thoughts, and will allow the engineer to speak easily and ease the frustration of teaching complex concepts.

6. Take a tour. To further enhance your understanding, ask for a tour of the facilities or a mock-up of the project. The engineering subject matter expert will be thrilled to show off his work, and you may get some additional information in the process. It will also allow you another view of the concept, and prompt additional questions to further your understanding.