As a project manager for some years, I felt that the most important thing to do this job well is to take actions that suit local circumstances and give judicious guidance according to the current occasion. There is only something the most appropriate, but not right or wrong.
The greatest taboo for a project manager is his flawless tendency, especially for those who were once technical personnel. They would like to get a standard answer which not only delays the progress of work, but also lost themselves. A successful project manager is one who can envision the entire project from start to finish, and have the prowess to realize this vision.
Managing any project requires a host of skills ranging from communications, product or service-specific acumen and project organization. Managing a language project requires following skills as well.
l Communicate with customers early and often. Understand their expectations of the final outcome. The beginning of a project is an important phase of the whole. When the Project Manager took over a new project, the first thing he should do is to get as much knowledge as he could from every aspect of the project. And then, both client and responsible PM reach to an agreement on cost and delivery time.
l Define your project narrowly. Preventing the project scope from growing in a language project is a key part of your job. Include total word count analysts and subject matter experts in the discussion. Finalize word numbers or pages, for this will affect the following job assignment.
l Choose your translator carefully. Verify both physical and technological aptitude when placing them because some project aspects can be especially demanding. Translators always do well in the field of their familiars. Try to find the most suitable person to guarantee a high quality translation file.
l Define your communications plan. Make sure all elements are addressed on time. If you carefully script your communications expectations among your team, everyone will know to whom they are accountable and will take steps to see that information is passed. Do not leave information pool around one or two relatives discussion underneath. Any hide information or unreleased message may easy lead to the failure of whole project.
l Monitor ongoing status throughout the project process. If some open issues spot on the way, response actively and find solutions to fix in quickest time. However, when comes to the problem which may exceed your ability to handle it, then report to higher management level or your client to make a decision whether continue the project or stop immediately.
l Monitor expenses, billing and accounts carefully. If you have overruns, examine your inside and outside resources to verify whether your scope is changing. Keep margin profit and lower down cost as much as possible.
l Regularly valuate staff and the project quality. Provide feedback and ask for feedback in return. Track the good and the bad for use in future projects.
l Close the project completely in BO.
As a project manager, especially for translation projects, you should keep something in your mind: what should you do , which level should get, method of delivery, what resource on your hand, and which should be done first all of your jobs.