In high-volume translation projects, the involvement of multiple translators in translation, editing, and proofreading inevitably leads to certain inefficiencies. It is only meaningful to do so if the process gains outweigh these inefficiencies.

Here are factors that should be considered to achieve optimal workflow efficiency when multiple translators must be deployed to high-volume translation projects:

Terminology Management

A shared glossary should be established for consistent use across the entire document by all translators. By converting this into a termbase format, commonly used terms can be automatically inserted without requiring translators to perform manual searches; this also contributes to translation accuracy.

Minimizing Performance Gaps

The total working speed of linguists assigned to each stage — Translation (T), Editing (E), and Proofreading (P) — should be aligned as closely as possible. This helps minimize process bottlenecks and ensures delivery within the expected timeline.

Working Hour Coverage

A 24-hours-a-day translation process should be structured to enable smooth interim deliveries and prompt responses to urgent client requests.

Proficiency in a Common CAT Environment

If a linguist is unfamiliar with the CAT tool specified for a project, the project manager should not require its use. Instead, linguists should be allowed to work with a CAT tool they know, while the project manager takes responsibility for converting the project files into the required format for the CAT tool designated for the project.

Minimizing the Number of Linguists Involved

It is not uncommon in high-volume localization projects for one highly productive linguist to match the output of five or six average linguists.

Whenever possible, in-house linguists whose workflows are already aligned with high-volume translation environments must be assigned to the project with priority.

When the needs for using external resources arise, it is advisable to ensure they are full-time professional linguists to minimize the total number of linguists involved and thereby improves overall translation efficiency.