In between the basic factors of the translation process, we are all getting used to communicating with that one guy that keeps things centralized. Have you ever imagined having to talk to each one of the 14 translators for each project into 14 languages? Project Managers are the wheels moving the translations from linguists to end clients, real heroes of the day in the middle of tight schedules, a couple of dozens of software pieces and hundreds of incoming and outgoing emails.
To keep up with this pace is a key factor in the everyday life of a Project Manager. So how do we do it?
My day starts by waking up at 7 am. I prepare a cup of black or red tea, depending on the mood and make some toasts. My bike will lead me effortlessly through the traffic chaos leaving behind cars and buses at the traffic lights to get to the office. Upon turning my computer on, first things to do are starting Skype, Thunderbird email client and Firefox to quickly get to Plunet, our company portal.
I read any pending messages in Skype, clarify some questions or troubleshoot some software issues of translators from the other side of the world who are now asleep, go through each one of the emails I received when not in the office and set up the workflow of the day with the lady in charge, Madame Dimitra.
A typical day will include preparing quotations, assigning confirmed orders, delivering finished translations and dealing with any technical issues that may come up in the process (and trust me, there can be a lot!). As the project managing task grows in both complexity and quantity, you have to keep up with the technology and processes changes, so add to the previous list reading the change log of that new update for a tool, preparing documentation for it and testing everything before implementing to the regular day job. Bob Dylan has been saying it for almost 50 years now: “The times they are a-changing”.
Along with the importance of tech related stuff, communication is a pillar of the PM position. Client’s instructions and requests must be communicated in the most efficient, clear and straight way to each one of the resources assigned to a project. A misused word, an important line gone without bold font and the whole translation may crumble, and all because of a small, but of huge importance detail.
But of course, not everything is just work and I also love to spend some time listening to music, playing some shows with my band, going to my local soccer team matches or escaping for some days to the mountains for a bit of peace of mind.
In the end, it just makes my day to see another happy client with our work, establishing strong relationships with the people I work with and having the overall feeling of bringing my capabilities to their best!
Numerous Challenges for a Project Manager
Guido Di Carlo,
Project Manager
Email
Strong organization skills are the most important asset for a Project Manager. He/she must analyze files, sent out quotes to clients, select suitable translators, proofread the documents, deliver the final translators files, maintain translation memories, and databases of linguists. Finding the right translator at short notice is one of the challenges: translators must have the correct subject matter knowledge. To be successful, a Project Manager must be highly organized, must have the ability to prioritize, and must have an eye for details. He/she needs to have a logical mindset, a good technical knowledge and must love the interaction with clients and linguists.
At Alpha Omega Translations we work with two main technology systems: memoQ and Plunet. memoQ is a translation management platform, which allows us to create quality TMs and term bases, which we pass on to our translators so we can maintain our usual high standard of quality. Plunet is a project management system, which ensures we never miss a deadline.
For an overview of our translation expertise, visit our technical translation page.