# Localization/Working in the localization industry
## Roles in localization
### PM

Localization Project Managers are the bridge between clients and vendors (Language Service Providers) in a localization process.
LOC PMs typically handle following tasks and possess a set of important skills:
* Identification of project scope
* Accurate planning of a project timeline
* Vendor allocation and interaction
* Collaboration with business requestors, developers/engineers and Linguistic QA to ensure proper and error-free localization results
* High attention to detail, efficient time management, strong organizational skills
* Establish and optimize process workflows as needed
* Budgeting
* Strong understanding of internationalization and culturalization
* Knowledge of CAT tools and common localization file types (XML, HTML etc.)
* Often have at least one strong Language proficiency in addition to English

### Engineer

Localization engineering is the role related to design, development, operation and support of the localization process on a technical level. It can serve many purposes, such as
* the development or deployment of infrastructure to run a localization process
* the prepare of resources to be localized to fit them into existing processes
* the adaptation of localization tools or frameworks, parsers for best handling (e.g. XML schema preparation)
* activities around quality control and bug fixing on translated material (post-localization engineering)
* the consultation of other stakeholders in the localization process on a technical level.
The localization engineer usually has a degree in a technical field, such as computer science and coding skills and experience with high-level programming languages.

### QA/tester

Localization QA/testing deals with identifying linguistic, cosmetic and functional errors/bugs that may have been introduced during the localization process.
Localization testers aim to find problems such as:
* Missing content
* Non-functional features (e.g. links, input/output behavior of forms)
* UI and layout defects like misalignment, overlap, extra or missing controls
* Truncations and text bleeding issues caused by text expansion
* Character corruption or encoding issues in display and input
* Sorting issues related to a specific language’s alphabet
* Incorrect date, time, or calendar formats
* Errors in currency conversions or monetary symbols
* Incorrect unit conversions, numeric formats, separators, or negatives

### Terminologist

Terminologists are language professionals who study, create, and use terminology, especially in professional translation project management. A terminologist may facilitate the writing, editing, and translation process by researching and locating information that may assist linguists and language services professionals produce high-quality translations. Terminologists ensure accuracy, consistency, and appropriateness of usage of terms.

### Linguistic Expert/Reviewer
## Working in intercultural teams

Working in Localization means, by default, working with or in intercultural teams. When working in intercultural teams it is important to consider the following aspects:
* Cultural and ethical differences
* Language differences or different skill levels of shared language (e.g. native English speakers vs speakers of English as second language)
* Communication style differences
* Gestures and body language interpretation
* Conscious and unconscious cultural biases

## Working across the globe

The Localization industry is globally dispersed by nature. Working across different geographies entails working through a number of practical obstacles, such as:
* Different time zones
* International and regional holidays
* Different seasonal vacation times
* Different work times and work weeks
* International and regional laws
* Social, economic, political or natural events
* Currency differences
* Language barriers
* Technical barriers (e.g. bandwidth, access to technology)
* Lack of face-to-face communication
* ↑ https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/147991/Downloads/Services/moravia-localization-testing-solution-brief.pdf?t=1521256045358
* ↑ https://www.nimdzi.com/remote-working-in-localization-full-report/#data