qui - Tekom

LOCALISATION PROJECT MODELS
By Bert Esselink 63
This is my fourth contribution in a series of four articles about
software localisation. The first article discussed the differences between
translation and localisation, the second provided an overview of translation
technology, and the third article covered the localisation industry
developments. In this article, I will focus on localisation project models and
the way the web is changing them.
Traditional Project Models
The "Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge"
published by the Project Management Institute (http://www.pmi.org/)
defines project as "a temporary endeavour undertaken to create a unique
product or service." This definition also applies to most traditional
localisation or translation projects. Localisation projects usually start with a
publisher sending out a localisation kit with all source material to a
translation agency. The project manager sends out the relevant documents
to a translator or a group of translators, schedules the time required to
translate, edit, and proofread the material, and returns the translations after
completion to the client. Projects have a definite beginning and a definite
end.
Before the introduction of translation memory tools, translation work
would usually not start until the domestic product was finalised and
sometimes even published or shipped. After design, development, and
testing of an English product, only limited time was scheduled to create
localised versions of a product. Nevertheless, foreign users often had to
63 Bert Esselink, “Localisation Project Models”, Tranfree, n.13, 2000
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