Which elements constitute a structured interview protocol with an SME?

Which elements constitute a structured interview protocol with an SME?

• A. Opening objectives, 5-7 focused questions, prompts for evidence, timeboxing, closing with consent for quotes and follow-up.
• B. Random questions with no structure.
• C. Only a short intro with no questions.
• D. Interview protocol is unnecessary.

Answer: (A)

In a structured interview with an SME, having a clear protocol is essential. Opening objectives set the purpose and scope, so the SME knows what the interview will cover and how the information will be used. A set of 5–7 focused questions keeps the discussion on the most important topics and makes the data comparable across interviews. Prompts for evidence push the SME to provide concrete data, examples, or numbers rather than vague statements, which improves reliability. Timeboxing keeps the conversation efficient and on schedule, respecting the SME’s time while ensuring you gather the needed material. Closing with consent for quotes and follow-up ensures you have permission to use the insights and can reach back for clarification if needed. Choosing random questions with no structure would lead to inconsistent data and difficult analysis, a brief intro with no questions doesn’t collect meaningful information, and saying the protocol is unnecessary ignores the need for systematic, defensible data from an expert.

In a structured interview with an SME, having a clear protocol is essential. Opening objectives set the purpose and scope, so the SME knows what the interview will cover and how the information will be used. A set of 5–7 focused questions keeps the discussion on the most important topics and makes the data comparable across interviews. Prompts for evidence push the SME to provide concrete data, examples, or numbers rather than vague statements, which improves reliability. Timeboxing keeps the conversation efficient and on schedule, respecting the SME’s time while ensuring you gather the needed material. Closing with consent for quotes and follow-up ensures you have permission to use the insights and can reach back for clarification if needed.

Choosing random questions with no structure would lead to inconsistent data and difficult analysis, a brief intro with no questions doesn’t collect meaningful information, and saying the protocol is unnecessary ignores the need for systematic, defensible data from an expert.