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Roundtable Roundup

posted 2007-09-20 20:53:22
by Andrew Thomas

This past week I got to hang out at the Localization Institute 2007 Localization Project Managers Roundtable in Tahoe. The grounds were gorgeous and the air was crisp, cool, and clean. We had some wonderfully open and frank discussions about the localization industry, specifically as it pertains to project managers on both the client and vendor sides. I think the best part about this style of conference though is the amount of face-to-face time you get with each other, learning about how different groups manage their localization process. Interestingly, there was a general consensus among us that localization is picking up steam as an industry. We're more visible than ever before, and increasing numbers of us are entering the localization industry straight out of college. Some of the big themes for this roundup seemed to be a lot of discussions around agile development and translation technology.

SDL, Across, and Idiom all presented our various offerings to the group on Sunday. Due to concerns from others (that shall remain nameless), we weren't allowed to sit in on each other's presentations. No worries. People seemed to like what I covered, showing the latest and greatest in WorldServer 9. Later that evening after dinner, we had an ice breaker session, getting to know each other better.

Monday focused heavily around what a TMS should be, and how organizations can leverage systems like ours to help in the overall globalization supply chain. It's funny, people often cite Trados as a de facto standard, but in that room, I'd say at least a third of the attendees, and possibly as much as half, were interacting with WorldServer in some way (as a current customer or LSP partner). We've certainly come a long way, and this was further validation of that.

Wrapping up on Tuesday, we covered agile development practices, and what they mean to localization groups. Essentially, it's the same old story. The sooner localization can be exposed in the development process, the better, and this currently trendy method of software development is no exception. It was also generally agreed that web applications lend themselves to agile development, where as traditional shrink wrap software might not have as much to gain. Next we discussed best QA practices, and tried to get consensus on what quality really meant. Certainly everyone cares about quality, but achieving it is easier said than done. I heard there was a session on MT after lunch, but I had to leave to make the long drive back home.

If you're a project manager in the localization industry, and you find this sort of informal information exchange interesting, I strongly urge you to think about attending next year.

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