I agree, whole-heartedly, Peter... With beers and a tape recorder you just can't go wrong. Nigel -----Original Message----- From: austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Peter G Martin Sent: Thursday, 13 October 2005 12:17 PM To: Hope Debbie; austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: atw: Re: Extracting technical information from SMEs Hope Debbie: On Wed, 12 Oct 2005 21:20:00 -0400, you wrote: > Hi all > Elementary question I know - but would still like to > quiz the list...... > > Am looking for latest hints, tips, and advice on how > to approach, glean and drain the brains (!) of SME / > highly technical and sometimes (!) reticent folks. > > Thanks in advance > Debbie Beer. More Beer. Further beer. But don't then rely on memory or notes... Worked once for me for the only SME who had been made redundant, put on "consultancy", and who resented everything anyone wanted to ask. Tape recorder was very handy. Meanwhile, I agree with Terry. Write down even a wild version of what you think might be the document to be used and ask them to correct it. Overlook the groans, sighs and looks of utter contempt you get. Most reluctant SMEs would rather correct than initiate docs. --Peter M ************************************************** To post a message to austechwriter, send the message to austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To subscribe to austechwriter, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject field. To unsubscribe, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" in the Subject field. To search the austechwriter archives, go to www.freelists.org/archives/austechwriter To contact the list administrator, send a message to austechwriter-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ************************************************** ************************************************** To post a message to austechwriter, send the message to austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx To subscribe to austechwriter, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "subscribe" in the Subject field. To unsubscribe, send a message to austechwriter-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with "unsubscribe" in the Subject field. To search the austechwriter archives, go to www.freelists.org/archives/austechwriter To contact the list administrator, send a message to austechwriter-admins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx **************************************************