Any project is a complex process that requires the collaboration of many people. The importance of project management in translation sometimes goes unnoticed, particularly when things go well, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give it the recognition it deserves. Translation project managers (PMs) are key players in this whole process and in this blog post we will try to give you some insight into why they are so important.
What does the job entail?
A translation project manager is responsible for overseeing the entire process of translating a document or multiple documents into one or more target languages. They are responsible for client relations, making sure the right people are working on each part of the project, and most importantly keeping track of budgets and timelines.
The best way to think about it is like this: If you were building a house, the PM would be your architect who designs every aspect of it from top to bottom; then he or she finds contractors (linguists) who can build those designs, on time and within budget; once construction begins (translation, proofreading, you name it), the PM makes sure everything is built correctly before handing over keys so that new owners can move in (delivery).
The must-have skills of a project manager
A good PM must have an excellent understanding of the translation process and the purpose of each project, as well as an excellent command of their native language(s) plus at least two other foreign languages. They need to be able to manage people, projects and budgets while maintaining timelines (have we mentioned budgets and timelines already?).
PMs work closely with clients; therefore, they must possess excellent communication skills so that they can explain technical terms in layman’s terms when necessary, negotiate, provide advice and sometimes even emotional support! It is crucial to keep close, healthy relationships with clients, which can be very rewarding for both parties in the end.
On the other hand, they are the liaison with the linguists involved in the projects, whether in-house or freelance. That is why they need to have a very strong set of organisational skills and good knowledge of their translators’ skills and experience in order to adequately distribute and monitor the work accordingly and to communicate smoothly with them throughout the whole process. We must not forget that a day in the life of a PM consists of constantly setting their priorities straight, so as to make sure everyone is doing their job and hence avoid stressful situations when something does not go as planned. They must learn to make quick decisions and have plenty of well-organised resources to find solutions as efficiently as possible.
One of the key qualities a PM must show is probably having an eye for accuracy and details, as they are the last person responsible for ensuring that all final documents are ready for delivery according to the conditions agreed with the client.
It is also essential to be able to manage different tools and specific software to help them in their tasks, so it is important to keep up to date with new technologies and industry trends. For such purpose, it is highly advisable to have a continuous training plan and to build a strong network of contacts in the industry. You never know when it might come in handy to get back in touch with that lovely Bulgarian translator you met at a workshop on financial translation in Birmingham.
Conclusion
As you can see, the job of a translation project manager is quite varied and sometimes very challenging. At Transword, we know the importance of having skilled and competent PMs who keep track of our clients’ needs and make sure everything is running smoothly. You can be sure that your projects are in safe hands from start to finish.
Header image by Octavian Dan for Unsplash
