Uplevel Your Localization Project Management

by Yuka Jordan

-- Version 1.3 Updated -- This book is for aspiring Localization Project Managers who want to uplevel their career. Localization Project Management is one of the most underestimated, often unappreciated job roles. The size of the overall global language industry is currently around US$40 Billion with estimates to grow up to US$45 Billion by 2020. Much of industry and shareholders interest focuses on language related technology. While technology solutions are a vital part of the highly dynamic globalization business, it is imperative to sharpen the project management capability that pulls intelligence, specialties, and technology altogether. The work required in current fields is far beyond the translation and software internationalization. Project managers have to be well versed in knowledge and experience working with specialists; geopolitical, natural language, advertising law, transcreation, complex scripts, graphic reproduction, voice reproduction, audio recording, video rendering, anti-piracy, regulatory and compliance. This expertise needs to build on top of project management skills. Localization Project Managers; both within the business and from language service providers, are responsible heroes/heroines behind the scenes and are usually the last person to leave the office. If you a manager of Localization Project Management team, you may feel the similar frustrations. Although managers spend much effort in growing their talented staff, it is no wonder those superstars get tired of doing the same thing over and over, change companies often, the worst case, burnout, and leave the profession altogether. This book provides you a compass to navigate your professional career and journey. Managers can use this book to uplevel your team and retain the indispensable superstars. Your business is as good as the quality and competency of your project managers. Localization Project Management is a kind of profession that requires a high level of intangible skills a with a wide variety of competencies. As a result, it poses a challenge in not having enough objective standards and measurements to assess the level of “quality” and “expertise.” Head of Project Management teams recognizes the need, but it is harder to establish a meaningful set of such standards and measurements. The book aims to help you succeed as a Localization Project Manager operating at a master level as quickly and efficiently as possible. This compact volume seeks to fill in that gap and provides vital professional development points to consider. If you are the head of Localization Program Management, this book is intended to help you create and update your team’s job role advancement and training program. While this book is intended to provide pointers, there are simple case studies and assignments throughout, as an additional learning opportunity. The idea is to apply the knowledge learned in this book to your daily scenarios. Having the mental image of an end in mind and start thinking about the possible solutions leaps a difference. Often the answer is not apparent or achieved merely, as you will likely need other team members to work with you. You can invite others to a brainstorming session to exchange ideas for improvements.

Kindle Edition

Published October 11, 2017

Reviews

[Sako · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Place to Start

Jordan is clearly writing in her non-native language and could have used some editing help, but this does not detract from the overall usefulness of the approach she proposes for providing more value from your organization's localization project management operations. I would recommend this book as preparatory reading for anyone looking to get started in this field as well as anyone looking to take their current LPM initiatives to the next level.

[Tamás Sisák · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the topics covered in the book are a welcome sight to anyone interested in localization project management, I feel obliged to add a low rating, as the book is full of linguistic errors.
The text is in dire need of a (preferably native) proofreader, especially considering the target audience.