Top Tips for outsourcing translation projects

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Multi-lingual translation projects aren’t only about high quality – they also need to be delivered on time and within budget. Here are TW Languages’ tips on how to make sure that your translation project is a success:

1)      Select a translation service provider that you can trust and in whom you have confidence. After all, they will be producing documents for your clients which you may be unable to read yourself!

2)      When sourcing a translation service, don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations or enquire about membership of a Trade Association, etc.

3)      Know exactly what you are paying for. Don’t assume that the translated documents will be ready for external communication; unless instructed otherwise, some translation companies provide translation only documents that haven’t been proofread and checked against the original text.

4)      Allow realistic time schedules. Your Translation Project Manager should be able to provide advice on a reasonable timescale for completion. However, for urgent work, they should also be able to take an intelligent approach to reduce the time needed to complete a multi-lingual project, without comprising on quality.

5)      Find out whether the final translation will be ready for publication. Is further formatting required? This is extremely important if you’re working to very tight time deadlines.

6)      Use a single translation service provider. It’s more efficient and cost effective to have one supplier working on a multi-lingual project than splitting the project between different translation providers.

7)    Make yourself available for any queries. The Translation Project Manager has the challenge of working with a team of translators and proofreaders in different time zones around the globe and may need a quick answer to avoid delaying the project.

8)      Finally, ensure that the project will be completed on time by arranging regular communication with the Translation Project Manager to check that everything is running to schedule and that your documents will be in the right language wherever and whenever they are needed.