Why is a Good Translation Project Manager so Important?

One of the most frequent questions that a certified translation services agency is asked by a prospective new client, especially one that has a lot of potential business with the agency is about the project manager. This is a good question for any client to ask because there is a strong correlation between a great project manager and a good quality translation product. So what exactly does a project manager do and why are they so important to the efficiency and optimum output of the translation agency?

The translation process is a multi step operation and several factors make it a success. There are the translators themselves, the proofreaders, the software and the computer technology which nowadays is used so frequently in any extensive translation project. But the person who oversees the whole process is the translation project manager and he or she has to be a successful multi-tasker, a great communicator, constantly flexible as well as being a positive motivator and an effective organiser. That’s a pretty full list!

Every document translation services project manager has to cope with multiple tasks. They help out their translators, assist in developing translation processes, manage multiple projects in several different languages and often do all of the above every single day.

The project manager must be able to communicate effectively with both the client and the different members of their translation team, making sure that deadlines are understood and meant and that translation outcomes meet expectations.

There are often no hard and fast rules with translation tasks and project managers find they have to be flexible and adaptable so they can manage the time constraints, office staff needs and client demands.

Translation work can be stressful and it takes a great project manager to overcome all the little difficulties that present ongoing challenges. This requires a positive outlook which will also help to motivate the other members of the translation team.

Good project managers must be well organised, dealing with schedules and timelines, budgeting and editing. If a project manager fails in being a good organiser, projects fail to meet deadlines, delays are then inevitable and clients become disillusioned and frustrated.

5 Myths Concerning Quality Translations

1.Bilingual employees do not offer useful feedback

Of course a bilingual employee who knows a lot about the company they work for can offer some valuable feedback. They may have some good ideas regarding terminology and word choice when it comes to company products. In the end though getting a NAATI translation is your best option as the quality can be guaranteed.

2.Quality Translations Depend  on client and translator agreeing 

Sometimes clients try to intervene and offer word choices that are not really suitable and translation services Australia has to tell them why certain words are simply not correct. However, it is important that both the client and the translation vendor work alongside each other to ensure that the best translation services Australia is offered. Even though the document translation services put much effort into providing quality translations, the client has to be pleased with the outcome too..

3.Short translation projects are the easiest to do

It does seem that having to translate less words will mean the translation job is easier but because it is shorter it is easier to spot smaller errors. Translation services in Australia scrutinise all translation jobs in exactly the same way and even the shortest translation project will start with the translator followed by the editor and ending in an internal review.

4.Larger translation companies may offer better results

Larger translation companies may have access to translators in a wider variety of languages so if you want product information translated into some less common languages, you may get a better service from a larger translation company.

If you require a translation for only a single language, or for a very specialised industry, a smaller translation agency may reap better results for you once you have located one that has particular expertise in your preferred language and your industry.

5.A translation may not be finished overnight

Time is often important to people when they want a job done but a translation is not quite the same as the translator allocated to the job needs time to ensure that the product quality is good and acceptable by the client. If a translation is required in a number of languages the right translators have to be found to complete the job. Some languages are in higher demand than others so the non-availability of suitable translators may mean a translation cannot necessarily be completed overnight.