Project Management
Delivers a Problem Free Translation
It's simple to think that translation is just about words. Nevertheless, if you look up the definition of "translation", you will see it means “rendering from one language into another." The reality is that translation is not just words.
When you are dealing with the business world, and you are talking about document translation, the actual method is as important as the actual words. Why is this so? If the process is planned properly, it can affect the final product’s overall quality. The process is helpful in ensuring that the message is consistent when it needs to be delivered in multiple languages. Additionally, the use of a well designed project management process leads to the development of efficiencies that save both time and money.
If you are considering hiring someone to translate your content, review important areas and questions with them. Their answers will be a sign of whether the document you are having translated will not only be accurate, but will also be completed on time and within your budget.
Who is watching your project?
When a project manager is designated to manage the translation of your content, it means that person is accountable for adhering to your delivery schedule. Preferably, the project manager should give status reports so any issues and risks can be addressed and fixed before they go from bad to worse. The project manager should have a complete understanding of the entire scope of work and ask questions regarding your future needs.
For example, if the project manager knows upfront that your document needs to be modified in the future; the entire file could be retained. Subsequently, when changes need to be made, only the updates that are required to be translated would be re-examined. The only other option available would be to translate the whole document each time, which not only wastes time and money, but it could result in unnecessary errors.
What about a quality control process? Is one being used?
You should first ask, where the translators are located. The best translations are produced using translators who are native speakers of the target language, and live in the target market.
Second, make sure the translator is a subject matter expert in your specific industry.
Third, realize that all humans occasionally make errors, thus independent editors should always review the translations.
Using skilled translators and having a process of checks and balances in place to validate their work goes a long way in guaranteeing the quality of the translation.
What about translation memories?
Up-to-date technology plays a useful job in saving time and money on a project. Therefor, ask if translation memories are used. This ensures linguistic consistency and lowers the translation costs from one version to the next.
Before hiring a company, ask yourself the following questions to decide if you need to hire a company who stresses its project management process:
- What good is translated content if it jeopardizes time to market?
- If you need to translate a large document once a year into two or more different languages, how do you make sure the job is handled cost-effectively?
- Do you have the time, energy and expertise to manage a large multi-language translation project?
For more information, contact us.