How to interact with the IT department in Localization?

In this we discuss communication with stakeholders of the technical department. This is an increasingly important topic in localization because without correct coordination with the technical team, the process of successfully localizing your product will become painful and time-consuming.

Proper interaction with the technical department is essential for successful content localization and will make the process much easier and smoother.

From the IT department you may need to interact with people such as:

Programmer

Who writes computer code. They may work on various types of digital products such as web applications, mobile applications, games, system software, websites, etc.

Developer

Is a broader term that includes programmers as well as other professionals who design, test, and implement software. Developers typically work on the entire software lifecycle, from requirements analysis and design, to testing and post-release support.

Here are some guidelines to work with the technical department:

Identify the scope of technical involvement

Determine what the role of the technical department is in the localization process.

Will they be responsible for extracting content for translation?

Will they need to implement changes to the website or application to accommodate translated content?

Clarifying roles and responsibilities in advance will help avoid confusion and ensure that all parties are aware of their responsibilities.

Understand technical constraints

Be aware of technical constraints that may impact the localization process.

For example, some programming languages may not support certain characters or scripts, or there may be limitations on the length of translated text that can be displayed in a particular area.

Understanding these constraints will help you plan and budget for the localization process accordingly.

Provide detailed instructions

Provide clear instructions to the technical department on what changes need to be made to the website or application to accommodate translated content.

This may include adding support for additional languages, changing the layout or design of the website or application, or modifying the database structure to accommodate translated content.

Be as detailed as possible in your instructions to ensure that the technical department understands what needs to be done.

Establish a communication channel

Establish a clear communication channel with the technical department, so that you can discuss any issues or concerns that arise during the localization process.

Regular communication is essential for ensuring that the localization process proceeds smoothly and that any issues are identified and resolved promptly.

Find out everything you need in advance

What file format is used for localization, such as XML, HTML, JSON, or other. This will help determine how best to organize the translation of the content.

Are there limits on line length so that translators can adapt translations to fit these limits. This will help avoid problems with formatting and visual design of content.

How to upload and download files for localization, as well as what tools to use for translation. This will help preserve the structure and formatting of the content when translating.

How to embed translated content into your product or website. This will help reduce time and reduce the risk of errors when integrating translated content.

Which graphic elements should be localized, such as buttons, images, icons, etc. This will help translators tailor content to local needs.

If you need to use Computer-Aided Translation (CAT) Tools: Decide which tool to choose to suit developers.

Test the localized content

Before launching the localized content, make sure to test it thoroughly to ensure that it is displaying correctly and functioning as expected.

Work with the technical department to identify any issues and make necessary corrections before the content goes live.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that the technical department is effectively supporting the localization process and that the localized content is properly integrated into the website or application.

It is important to remember that the technical department may have their own specific requirements, so you need to make sure that all instructions received from them are understandable and applicable to your content localization project.