Hi All, My question regarding project risk due to key personnel

It would depend on who hired the Subject Matter Expert. If the SME was a political appointee and does not have the necessary skills and experience to deal with the job I would tread carefully as they are probably well connected and it may be you who could have the axe falling on you. First I would find out who hired the SME, who they directly report into and who has their ear and talk to them before putting anything down on paper that may come back to haunt you. As project are based on team input I would also look at possibly delegating some of the responsibilities if possible and maybe see if the SME as any personal issues that maybe effecting the SME's to perform their duties.