Risk could bet high if no sufficient forecast and management in advance in a translation and localization project. To understand the risk factors and take precautions on a global basis could lead to a more successful project.

The following table serves as a useful reference on how to manage the various possible risk factors in a translation and localization project.

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Risk factors Risk management
Customer-associated risks:
Unclear/incomplete requirements PM clarify with customer immediately
A customer making frequent changes to project requirements during a project Start only after all requirements finalized
A customer not being efficient, effective or complete in meeting its project responsibilities PM proactively communicate with customer through various communication methods and always ask open question for a solid answer
A customer being insufficiently available or insufficiently knowledgeable to provide real input into requirements and/or the review process PM proactively communicate with customer through various communication methods and always ask open question for a solid answer; Request reference materials or history records for an informed production
A customer having unrealistic expectations about the outcome of the project, resulting in high-risk constraints Set the industry standard and let customer know the reasonable expectations
Contractual constraints such as penalties for not meeting deadlines and/or termination penalties Try very best to manage the schedule and resource associated risks as illustrated below to avoid this happen
Schedule-associated risks:
Missing tasks or milestones PM tracks the progress of the project on daily basis
Inaccurate estimates PM review the estimates and implement change plan in time
“Crash-and-burn” schedule (A schedule based on substantial amounts of overtime for the whole project team) Get more backup resource for the project
Resource-associated risks:
Unclear roles and/or responsibilities PM gives clear instructions
Resources not available Get at least two backups for each individual resource
Non-matching or inadequate skills Always use the proper resource to do the proper project
Missing or inadequate equipment Get backup resource ready immediately
Staff turnover Overtime or get a Plan B
Experience-associated risks:
New language(s) Resource manager looks for the resource for the new language immediately
New technology Technical staff looks for the resource for the new technology immediately
New development environment Technical set up the new development environment immediately
New hardware Buy the new hardware immediately or outsource to the proper resource who has the new hardware
Product-associated risks:
Incomplete internationalization of the product to be localized Proactively communicate with customer for a complete product before starting
Incomplete localization kit(s) from Client Proactively communicate with customer for a complete localization kits before starting