Planning for Localization

at the Beginning of the Software Development Life Cycle

Proactive Involvement of Localization Project Manager (LPM)

A Localization Project Manager (LPM) should be proactively involved at the very beginning of the software project to ensure localization is considered in every aspect of the project. By doing so, the LPM can help the team save time and budget, and keep the overall project organized. Early involvement allows for the identification of potential localization challenges and the implementation of best practices from the outset.

Connecting with Teams

The LPM should connect with all teams that will be involved in localization, including the UI team, development team, testing team, support team, and more. Understanding their needs and sharing localization insights, such as potential challenges related to timeline and budget, is crucial. This collaboration ensures that all teams are aligned and aware of the localization requirements, leading to a smoother and more efficient process.

Creating Project Board and Communication Channels

1. Develop a Process for Localization Tickets:

Work with these teams to develop a process for creating localization tickets on project management software like Jira, Monday.com, Asana, or Trello.

2. Localization Dashboard:

Create a localization dashboard for the localization team to monitor status and organize workloads effectively.

3. Automatic Rules:

Set up automatic rules to trigger localization tickets, ensuring that localization tasks are seamlessly integrated into the development workflow.

Incorporating Localization into Product Briefs

Ensure that localization is a part of the plan in product brief Confluence pages. This inclusion guarantees that localization considerations are documented and communicated from the beginning, providing a clear roadmap for all stakeholders involved.

By following these steps, product managers, software developers, and localization engineers can work together to create software that is ready for global markets from day one.