Localization Workflow Template for PMs

Establish a late-string cutoff. Strings added after the cutoff ship in the source language (usually English) and are picked up in the next translation batch. For critical strings (error messages, legal text), allow an expedited translation path with a shorter SLA and higher cost. Track late-string frequency as a process metric. If it exceeds 10% of total strings per sprint, move the extraction step earlier in the cycle.

Machine translation with human post-editing (MTPE) works well for repetitive content like UI strings, status messages, and notification text. It reduces translation cost by 30-50% and turnaround time by 20-30%. It is less suitable for marketing copy, legal text, or content that requires cultural nuance. Start with MTPE for UI strings and measure quality against fully human-translated output before expanding scope.

Track four metrics. First, cycle time: days from code freeze to localized release. Second, string completeness: percentage of strings translated at release time. Third, bug rate: number of localization bugs found in production per release. Fourth, late-string rate: percentage of strings added after the translation batch is sent. Review these metrics monthly and adjust SLAs and process steps accordingly.

At minimum, you need an L10n coordinator (can be part-time for <5 locales), a translation vendor with subject-matter expertise, and a native-speaker reviewer per locale. The PM owns the strategy and priorities. Engineering owns the tooling and integration pipeline. QA owns the testing. The L10n coordinator orchestrates the handoffs and tracks the timeline. For 10+ locales, consider a dedicated localization manager. ---