There is growing demand for localization and this is high because of the advantages it offers. Businesses that have decided to enter new markets, need to work on getting localization that helps the business to reach out to the new markets in the most authentic way.
When talking about localization, no one can ignore the role of the localization project manager. Several companies hire localization project manager who takes the responsibility of getting complex projects and work on them collectively with the team and make sure to deliver successful results.
However, the concept of localizing is no small job. Working on creating a localization-centered project also has inherent challenges that the project manager has to deal with in every way. A skilled localization project manager assures to deliver authentic localization to make the business enter into a new market.
What is Localization?
Localization is the best way to adapt the content and make it most suitable for the target region. This approach is to influence how your content will be perceived in the target market and the process is to make it resonate in the best way.
From linguistics to cultural nuances, your content needs to feel familiar instead of simply replacing it. In the localization process, the localization project manager looks at every aspect of your content, including:
● User interface
● Language
● Imagery and color
● Tone and message
● Date, time, measurement, and number formats
● Payment method
What is the Role Of Localization Project Manager?
Localization project managers hold major responsibility and depending on your localization needs, they access the requirements and work to coordinate with highly expert linguists and translators. Let’s understand the role of a localization project manager:
● Communicating, coordinating, and managing translators, and content experts to receive the high-grade translation as desired by the client.
● Accessing the client requirements
● Doing the necessary research related to the project
● Planning the localization strategy from start to execution
● Creating glossaries and briefs
● Building regional guidelines to stay relevant to cultural and other market aspects
● Keeping track of the project to drive high-quality output
● Tracking and monitoring the project and reporting to internal stakeholders
● Assessing project risk and identifying major challenges in the process
● Optimizing the localization strategy to bring in more efficiency
● Managing the budget
● Monitoring the results strategies bringing in
When the business has big localization needs, a localization project manager has endless tasks and they carry great skills to handle this role. They understand their role and work with details to deliver successful localization.
Major Requirements for a Localization Project Manager Role
Localization project managers have a lot to do on their plate whenever there are requirements for true content localization and they have to oversee the entire localization process. Thus, successful localization project managers possess a few key skills such as:
● Ability to multitask and code-switch
● Time-to-time interaction with project team members
● Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
● Good at risk management
● Stay up to date with the trends and comfortable in learning new things
● Highly detail-oriented and must carry problem-solving skills
● Possess quality to lead the team and to allow better teamwork
● They need to be culturally aware of the target market
● Maintaining the time pace
● Must be ready to take feedback
Localization project managers holding the above skills are highly capable of delivering the best serving results that benefit the business in the new market. So, if a business needs powerful French translation, the project manager will make sure the translation is delivered while being accurate and relevant.
Localization Project Managers Fitting into the Workflow
Starting from the time of panning to conducting the final QA checks, localization project managers try to manage several things. Depending on the size, scale, and requirements, the localization process involves many types of collaborators.
From developers, digital marketers, translators, and marketers to UX/UI/design professionals, QA specialists, and reviewers, the localization project manager is crucial in dealing with all of them.
Here’s how the localization project manager fits into the workflow:
1- Dealing With Project Requirements
Before working on the localization project, it is important to understand localization needs. This involves doing research and analyzing the market to gather comprehensive data.
2- Planning Everything
When done with the required research, it is important to set clear goals and to create detailed project plans. This also involves inviting collaborators such as translators, editors, and proofreaders to assist you in the project.
3- Translation
At the time of execution, translators make use of their reliable translation style guide glossary to work on the project and ensure timely delivery.
4- Run QA checks
This is a crucial step that selects errors and alerts the QA professionals to ensure quality standards are met correctly.
5- Final Reviewing
This includes some editing, proofreading, and also user acceptance testing to ensure make sure the results meet the expectations.
6- Delivery
After everything is assured, the project is launched or delivered.
A huge team of skilled localization projects requires a high level of collaboration and localization project managers serves as the point persons to make sure the project is executed and delivered well o time.
Major Challenges For Localization Project Managers
Working on the localization project is not an easy thing and there are a few challenges that always come the way. Listed below are some challenges those localization project managers often face:
1- Adapting to New Technologies
Though there is still a debate about which one serves the best human translation vs machine translation, it is important to understand human translation comes up with relevancy and accuracy. The localization project manager has to continuously evolve, with new technologies and must stay updated that can help in better results.
2- Miscommunication
As the localization project manager has to assemble and tackle a larger team, this gives rise to the possibility of communication issues. They have to be accurate when they are dealing with the team and ensure open communication.
3- Maintaining Good Consistency
There is a need to put in constant effort to make sure localized content remains consistent and goes well as per the market.
4- Adapting to Cultural Nuance
When reaching out to the new demographic, it requires attention to detail. In this, they have to stay mindful of others’ culture which improves the chances of an entirely new market without harming their beliefs.
5- Meeting Tight Deadlines
Suppose there is an urgent need for error-free video game localization, localization project manager has to go as per the deadline. They plan the entire process and make sure the translation meets the desired demands.
How Professional Localization Solutions Can Help You Out?
Whenever a business approach is to get into a new market, localization is needed to do the foundational work before launching internationally. Some blindspots do exist in localization, but if you have a solid team and a highly professional localization project manager, the results will be in your favor.
No matter what are your requirements, having a skilled localization project manager makes sure you get the best results. At its best, the localization project manager understands the role and responsibilities and follows a proper quality check to ensure the solutions are best optimized as per the region they are translating for.
From understanding the translation glossary to following the executable multilingual SEO guide, they work on every aspect to gain valuable insight into the demographic in which business aims to grow.
Conclusion
Localization project managers take charge of making your business enter the new market and run smoothly. When you reach out to a professional company, you’ll get to work with the professionals and skilled localization project managers who make sure you receive the best-performing results. With us, you’ll get skilled localization teams who have years of experience and assure you to get the best results.
If you want to avail our localization solutions, contact us at +91-8527599523 or quickly send us a instant quote.