Today, I’m excited to share updates to our Unqork Community Subject Matter Expert (SME) program. This program recognizes Creators who demonstrate their expertise through contributions on the Community Hub and/or our events.
These changes will enhance the benefits for those in the SME program, as well as increase flexibility for earning and maintaining SME status. Additionally, the revised criteria recognizes and rewards the expertise developed through Unqork certification.
An overview of the changes follows, but you can read more details on the current program here:
Background and Context
The original SME program was launched in 2020 and predates our Community Hub. As we’ve expanded and evolved our community over the past 18 months, we have collected improvement ideas and feedback from SMEs. The changes were developed based largely on their input, in addition to close analysis of success metrics and our recent community survey.
There are three primary goals behind these changes: trust, flexibility, and gratitude.
Trust
When you see a Creator identified as a Subject Matter Expert, you need to trust that their expertise has been validated. To date, this expertise is demonstrated through answering many questions. However, we have additional measures in Unqork certifications and best practice training to help validate expertise.
Flexibility
The time and attention of experts are in high demand. Creators that achieve certification and SME status report increased responsibilities in their work and new opportunities for professional development like new jobs or promotions.
We recognize that experts’ ability to contribute may vary depending on other professional and personal priorities. Therefore, we hope to allow experts to match their contributions to their time and interests, while also rewarding the other ways they develop their expertise.
Gratitude
Our community is at its best when experts are actively contributing. They drive a tremendous amount of success in our community whether answering questions, sharing tips and tricks, or presenting on events. We want to ensure that we recognize and reward our top contributors, not just when they achieve SME status, but as they continue to have an impact on our community.
What’s Changing
The primary changes are adjustments to the criteria for earning and maintaining SME status. These requirements are now aligned to certification status, validating (trust) expertise and providing additional flexibility for higher levels of certification. Additionally, we are enhancing the benefits for SMEs, especially those active for multiple years, as a reflection of our gratitude.
Finally, the criteria for Unqork staff has been adjusted to reflect the variety of ways different roles cultivate expertise and/or contribute.
New Criteria for SMEs
The general structure is the same: Creators are asked to actively contribute over a number of months and also answer questions.
Creators with Unqork certifications are now rewarded with additional flexibility in earning SME status. However, those without formal certification (Associate or higher) must demonstrate their expertise through increased contributions.
Additionally, the Unqork Agile Framework (UAF) skill badge is required as an important Unqork best practice.
| UAF Skill Badge | Months of 200+ Points | Questions Answered | |
| No Certification | Not eligible | ||
| Novice Badge | Required | At least 5 of 6 months | 30 |
| Associate | Required | At least 3 of 4 months | 20 |
| Professional | Required | At least 3 of 6 months | 15 |
| Unqork Staff | Required | N/A | 15 |
Maintaining SME Status
Previously, SMEs were expected to earn 200+ month-over-month to maintain their status. Now, SMEs are granted the flexibility to make their impact over the course of 12 months.
Additional flexibility is given to those who increase their certification in recognition of both the time it takes and expertise it cultivates.
| Maintains Certification Level | Moves Up Certification Level | Alternative: | |
| Novice | 2000 points per year | 1200 points per year | 30 |
| Associate | 1200 points per year | 1000 points per year | 20 |
| Professional | 1000 points per year | Not yet available | 15 |
| Unqork Staff | *Based on job role and responsibilities | ||
Additional alternatives are also available (see the program overview link below for details).
Benefits of SME Status
Previously, SMEs were recognized with a badge on their community profile and some Unqork swag. Over the past year, we have added additional recognition and community features.
As part of these updates, we are further enhancing the perks of earning and maintaining SME status; read the details here:
Going Forward
These changes are effective going forward; officially beginning tomorrow: February 1, 2023.
However, we recognize that this change may impact those that have been pursuing SME status over the past several months. Creators who had previously earned 200+ points in two or more months between September 2022 and January 2023 (check your points here) will be granted consideration under the previous requirements (20 answers; 3 consecutive months of 200+ points) on a case by case basis.
Questions & Feedback
If you have questions about this program, your progress toward SME status, or feedback you’d like to share, please send me a message here on the Community Hub or at community@unqork.com
