GOOD Localization Project Manager/BAD Localization Project Manager

Here I am, on the train on my way to Madrid where we will celebrate my sister's birthday this weekend with a nice barbecue!

It has been an intense week of work, November is usually an intense month, we must plan the year 2020 at different levels, budget, strategy plans, and objectives; but as we look forward, we must not forget to take some time and reflect on what was achieved during 2019. While I review performance review, objectives, plans ... an idea comes to my mind, 

 How does it look a Localization Project Manager at its best?

The following paragraphs are a braindump without any logical order of what I believe represents a Good Localization Project Manager (and what is not)

Adapted from GALA website - Sample Job Description: Localization Project Manager

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Good Localization Project Managers know the different markets of the product they are localizing, they know the product extremely well and they know the competitors. A good Localization Project Manager is like the CEO of the product they take full responsibility for the communication between different stakeholders to avoid having teams working in silos

 Bad Localization Project Managers have lots of excuses about how things are not moving forward smoothly. Not enough Localization budget, the marketing team is not supporting us, the Leadership team does not get how important Localization is to succeed in this hyperconnected world, I’m busy, I’m overworked, my Manager doesn’t give me enough direction….

Good Localization Project Managers are building bridges with marketing, they are providing analysis about English proficiency in untapped markets, they provide culturalization feedback to global campaigns, they “join forces with the engineering team to implement internationalization requirements. 

Bad Localization Project Managers complain that they spend all day answering questions for other teams, for the translators, and they complain all day they are swamped.

Good Localization Project Managers create presentations, evangelize internally, present in conference events, they create lessons learned, retrospectives and they ensure this material is understood and implemented 

Bad Localization Project Managers put out fires all day, they improvise and they work had to “seem they are busy all day”

Good Localization Project Managers anticipate the problems, prepare risk contingency plans and build real solutions. 

Bad Localization Project Managers lament all day that they are not allowed to execute a proper Localization strategy, that the “highers-up” “won’t let it happen.

Good Localization Project Managers will take full ownership of their projects, they will deliver to the client what they need. They will ensure end-to-end best practices for the customers are in place. Bad Localization Project Managers will give the clients what they ask, even if it goes again best Localization best practices. And once bad Localization Project Managers fail, they will point out that they predicted they would fail.

Good Localization Project Managers support the translators from crazy and unrealistic demands from clients or internal stakeholders, and they will find a way to use their diplomacy skills to find the balance. Bad Localization Project Manager will ping frequently Translators and send follow up emails micromanaging, asking when the files will be back. Good Localization Project Managers will know when a follow up is required or when it’s the right moment to allow Translators to concentrate on what they do best – translating!

Good Localization Project Managers focus on facilitating the implementation of technology frameworks, high-class TMS and they orchestrate complex Localization settings, they focus their time in avoiding admin work and “monkey tasks”, they empower automation and leverage efficiencies. Bad Localization Project Managers are “spreadsheets with legs” and “human-forwarders” forwarding continuously emails, files and asking for % completed of the different tasks to update their Excel project trackers. No automation, no leverage, just micromanagement

A good Localization Project Manager will see “the individual trees in the forest”, they will have an eye for the detailed and they will be able to understand how the different moving parts in localization projects fit all together.

Good Localization Project Managers are optimistic, they create and nurture a positive culture about their Globalization activities, they are great managing people and persuading C-suite so they see the ROI analysis and become Localization sponsors. They are resilient and they will push boundaries to spread the word of the advantages of involving Localization activities in any Globalization efforts. They are influencers, connectors, they live and breathe around Localization. A bad Localization Project Manager will remain quiet in his desk monitoring email and approving POs. 

A good Localization Project Manager will understand that communication skills are crucial, they’ll invest time in learning how to communicate better (hello Toastmasters! ☺️) , they will challenge continuously themselves to understand if they are explaining clearly and concisely explaining to the team what exactly they want, how they want it and when they want it … and why this is important!

A bad Localization Project Manager will not take time to clarify her mind before writing or before communicating, she will take things for granted, she will not challenge assumption and when something goes wrong he will use excuses “it’s been a communication issue”, really, who is the owner to deliver a clear message? 

Good Localization Projects Managers will repeat as many times as necessary that developers must not hard-code text in code or images, that they must make their UI flexible, they will work with devs to ensure support for bidirectional languages is ready, a bad Localization Project Manager will lament that Localization is just an afterthought!

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 Seeing a good Localization Project Manager in action is like seeing a magician, things that appear and things that disappear, a lip that captivates you, that makes you fall in love, if you are lucky enough to see one of these Localization magicians try to “hire her/him” for your team, and if you are lucky enough to have one of them on your team, take care of them!, Good Localization Project Managers are the unsung heroes of our industry….If you believe that the different actions that I have been describing in this post as part of good actions, are actions that you consistently do, congratulations !, a good Localization Project Manager is not always recognized as it deserves, keep it up!

Be always ready,  evangelizing and doing things as they should be done. Thank you for contributing with your effort to the Globalization community! ☺️

Have a great week!

@yolocalizo