Translation Workflow

"Translation Workflow" in ]project-open[ refers to a workflow engine that controls the translation, editing and proof reading of individual files. The workflow manages the upload and download of translation files by translators and editors and provides status information to the project manager and his managers.

The figure above shows the flow of control in a schematic way. The blue horizonal bar refers to ]project-open[ and its web filestorage:

• In the first workflow stage (status "Created"), the project managers stores the source files from the customer in ]project-open[.
• In the second stage (status "For Trans") the project managers provides the freelancer access to the files.
• Now the translators takes the initiative and downloads the source files. This action is recorded by the system, and reflected in the new status "Trans-ing".
• After finishing the translation, the translator uploads the translated file, advancing the workflow to status "for Edit"
• and so forth.

Benefits

The automatic execution of the translation workflow has a number of advantages for a translation agency:

• Reduced file-handling time:
  PMs spend between 20% and 50% of their time with receiving and sending files via Email. This amount of time is reduced to zero with the translation workflow. Instead, the PM assigns translators and editors to their tasks.
  
• Reduced Error Rate:
  Manual (Email) file handling is error prone, particularly if there are several versions of the same files of part of a correction etc. This cause of error is eliminated completely by the use of the translation WF.
  
• Increased Turnaround Time:
  The Translation, Editing and Proof Reading can happen simultaneously for different files. For example the editor can start editing the first file of a project while the translator is still translating the second file.
  
• Real-Time Project Status:
  See below for an example of the Translation Workflow Status display. This panel allows the project manager to check the status of her project with a single glance.
  
• Elimination of "FTP Servers":
  You don't need any FTP server anymore, because ]project-open[ provides a separate "file storage" that can hold files of arbitrary size (up to hunderets of megabytes).
  
• Advanced Reporting:
  You can extract a large number of statistical reports about the performance of you translation team.

Translation Memory Integration

The list of project tasks can be imported from major translation memory system.

Project Workflow Status

The Workflow Status report is the "cockpit" of the Translation Workflow. It allows the project Managers to track how translators are downloading and uploading the files.