If you are new to language services such as translation and localisation, or have never used a Language Services Provider (LSP) for your previous translation projects, you might be wondering what translation project management is and how it will benefit your project.
This article explores the process of a translation project from first contact by a potential client to them receiving the finished translation and the management process involved in each project.
What is translation project management?
Translation project management refers to the overseeing and implementation of a translation project.
At Creative Word, we use project managers to ensure every task within the project is completed as expected and to the highest standard.
Some translation projects might require additional services such as design and these will be assigned by the project manager to the most appropriate member of our team.
The project managers work closely with our relationship managers who are the designated contact for clients.
What are the benefits of translation project management?
No matter which language services you plan to access via your LSP, the project management process should be the same.
At Creative Word, our management processes are quality assured, giving the following benefits to clients:
• A dedicated translation relationship manager to provide assistance and support at every step of the project. You will liaise with one person so you have a single point of contact for any issues or queries.
• A project manager who oversees your translation, reporting back to the relationship manager, will keep your project on track and to your required timeframe.
• Translation results which are consistent and reliable.
• Objectives, deadlines and goals are managed and achieved by the entire team under direction of the project manager.
• A project management system is vital for small and large translation projects but they are especially helpful for complex translation projects or large volumes of work.
Translation project management operates as a form of quality control but it is important to realise that this is only part of the translation process.
There is lots of work going on behind the scenes by linguists, designers, copywriters, and so on.
Understanding how the actual translation process works can help when considering which language services provider to choose and what is involved in the cost.
At Creative Word our translation process is as follows:
• Request is received from a client – this might be via a phone call, in person or an email. Information and documents involved in the project are always sent via email. At this stage a relationship manager is assigned to your project.
• Quotation creation – once we have all the documents, we formulate our quote. Editable documents are required as it enables us to accurately asses the word count from which we calculate our quote. If the document is non-editable, such as, a PDF or a scanned image, we will estimate the cost.
• Cost – translations are generally priced per word and are also dependant upon the language pairs involved in the project. Some languages are more frequently used than others so are less costly than other languages. Other aspects such as formatting, text direction, design, proofreading, and so on, add to the cost and time involved in the translation.
• Client agreement – once the full quotation has been generated, we then send it to the client for approval. Once accepted, our linguistic department formulate a timeframe which is then agreed with the client.
• Time – we aim to translate two thousand words of standard text translation per day so an estimate of the time involved in each translation can be given to the client.
• Consistency – we aim to create a consistent working partnership by allocating clients to particular linguists. Some of our translation teams have been working with the same clients for over a decade. This builds good relationships and gives exceptional understanding of the client’s requirements.
• Glossaries and keywords – we build translation glossaries and keyword lists with each translation project so that future translations are more consistent, fluid and accurate, no matter which linguist is working on the project.
• Design – if this element is required the documents are sent to our design team who then work their magic. It is sent back to the translation team for approval once this is complete.
• Editing and proofreading – if this service is requested by the client the translated document is sent for editing and proofreading by one of our a native-speaking translators.
• Final checks – once this has all been completed, the documents are then sent to the project manager (PM) who checks everything is as the client requested. The relationship manager (RM) will then also check it is all in order.
• Client approval – once these final checks are complete the RM will send the translated document to the client for approval.
• Invoice – the invoice is sent to client once everything has been approved.
Using a language services provider that offers relationship managers and project managers gives you essential, valuable support throughout the entire process.
You can keep track of every aspect of your project and have one point of contact for any queries.
Translation project management is a key element in achieving an accurate, reliable, consistent and quality translation.
More information about our translation processes can be found on our blog page or you can contact us here to discuss your translation project.
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