Skip to main content

The success of our Unqork Community relies on contributions from our Creators: answering questions, sharing best practices, providing demos, and sharing feedback. Top contributors are recognized with Subject Matter Expert (SME) status. 

Jump to:


What is an Unqork SME? 


Top knowledge holders and contributors to the Unqork Community. SMEs have demonstrated their expertise via several months of high engagement and many high impact contributions, earning both a high volume of points and providing a large amount of answers to community questions.  

SMEs represent about 1% of our total community and 3% of regularly active users. They’re among our most active, engaged, and knowledgeable community members. 

SMEs are also leading influencers and collaborators in our community. They often share their expertise via events, videos, and articles. For new community features, SMEs are invited as beta testers and advisors. 

This is the top level of recognition within the community. SMEs are rewarded with featured recognition and exclusive perks in gratitude for their many contributions.


How to become an Unqork SME


The criteria for achieving SME status is aligned to a Creator’s level of Unqork Certification and requires completion of the Unqork Agile Framework course from Unqork Academy. 

As of February 1, 2023

 

UAF Skill Badge

Months of 200+ Points

Questions Answered

No Certification

Not eligible

Novice Badge

Required

At least 5 of 6 months

30

Associate 
Certification

Required

At least 3 of 4 months

20

Professional
Certification

Required

At least 3 of 6 months

15

Unqork Staff

Required

N/A

15

 

 


Maintaining SME status


Creators are awarded SME status for a one year term upon meeting the criteria outlined above. SMEs are expected to remain highly engaged and actively contributing to the Unqork Community during their term. 

SMEs can qualify to extend their status for another year by meeting the following criteria within their term: 

 

Maintains Certification Level

Moves Up Certification Level

Alternative: Answers Provided

Novice Badge

2000 points per year

1200 points per year

30

Associate
Certification

1200 points per year

1000 points per year

20

Professional
Certification

1000 points per year

Not yet available

15

Unqork Staff

*Based on job role and responsibilities

 

Alternate Criteria

If they are unable or uninterested in the total points or total answers criteria above, SMEs can qualify to extend their term by completing two of the following:

  • Participation in 3+ Hackathons
  • Present on 2 Success Hours or Community Events
  • Post 3 configuration demos
  • Author 2 best practice or tips and tricks blogs
  • Attend 5 Success Hours to help with Q&A
  • Finish in the top 10 of monthly points earners at least three times
     

SME Recognition, Rewards, and Benefits


SMEs receive featured recognition for their expertise and contributions throughout their term. We are grateful for the impact SMEs have on the success of our community. 

Upon earning SME

  • Credly badge for Linkedin, etc
  • Community badge, level, and profile icon
  • Community announcement and Linkedin post
  • Power User Spotlight blog and social promotion 

Other Benefits for all SMEs

  • Private forum for SME feedback, program questions, etc
  • Extra feature: ability to mark answers on all questions, not just your own.
    (SMEs have demonstrated their trusted expertise and are asked to help curate our Knowledge Base.)
  • Early access and invites to beta test new Community Hub features
  • Quarterly updates and feedback session with Community team 
  • Recognition via the Meet Our SMEs blog (#3 Google result for “Unqork Expert”) 
  • Preferred speakers and open invitation for presentations on Community events

Upon maintaining SME

  • Credly badge extended 1 year
  • Featured status at the top of the Meet Our SMEs blog (#3 Google result for “Unqork Expert”)
  • Linkedin recommendation from Community Director highlighting key contributions (questions answered, areas of expertise, etc) (upon request)
  • Letter or email to manager highlighting contributions (optional)

Additionally, @Danny Pancratz and @Dara discussed the benefits of answering questions and becoming an Unqork SME in this episode of Technically Speaking:

 

@The Unqork Team @Danny Pancratz 

General Question: Has there been any update to the criteria for achieving SME status now that we've transitioned from the Associate and Professional certifications to the new Developer certification, which aligns with a Creator's level of Unqork Certification?

Personal Question: I currently hold both the Associate and Developer certifications. Does this make my certification level equivalent to Professional?


Great question, @rajat.sharma

An update is in development and likely to be announced later this month. I mentioned it in the latest leaderboard update

Note: A revamp of the SME program is in development. Those on the path to SME status will be eligible to earn SME status under both the previous and forthcoming criteria. More details soon. 

 

Yes, you can consider Developer Certification is the equivalent of Professional certification for now. 

In the forthcoming criteria, Developer Certification will be a requirement. 


Reply