In preparation for my moderation duties for next week’s 2012 Internationalization and Localization Conference in Santa Clara, I’ve been speaking with the panelists to learn about their experiences over the years in building a globally aware organization.
Some of the information shared with me reflects their systematic approach of shifting more and more of their focus to the start of the globalization process with their internal “customers”, sometimes even before code is written. This focus comes from the years of data they have collected on the cost, time and quality ramifications of shifting issues down the globalization process chain, resulting in other departments have to deal with them – or not at all.
Tools and technology that help organizations collect data, and I mean not just on translation metrics but an overall globalization process, have led to some interesting findings. One panelist on the “Internationalization and Localization Process – How to Make Your Organization Global Aware” will talk about the concept that not all bugs are the same.
What do you mean, Herr Blau? Well, should an embedded string be given equal weight to that of a time/date i18n bug that shows the date incorrectly to a bug that causes data to be read incorrectly with the web application and takes over a week to fix?
The answer to that question, and many more, will be addressed in the panel. The audience also be granted the opportunity to learn from the experts about i.) readiness programs they have instituted, ii.) scorecards that measure globalization acceptance criteria and iii.) how localization can embed into other departments to demonstrate which actions can positively or negatively affect making products world ready.
I encourage you to reach out, comment or email me at ablau(at)lingoport.com if there are other topics or themes you would like me to address to the panel. If you haven’t already signed-up, we only have a few spaces left and now would be a good time to do so to join us in the conversation. Sign up here.