(BOSTON) – One of the main drivers for implementing Agile is to speed up the software development process to enable companies to deliver products to market faster. To achieve this for international customers, they must optimize teamwork among localization, development, testing, documentation, and language service providers (LSPs) or translators. However, according to independent market research firm Common Sense Advisory’s 2013 findings, current localization production models break down as teams scramble to stretch them to fit Agile. 

Based on in-depth interviews with 21 companies that develop global software by analysts at Common Sense Advisory, “Localization at the Speed of Agile” (Dec13) evaluates what these organizations did right and what they did wrong during their transition to Agile. The new research report contends that Agile is the gateway to integrating internationalization and localization as they were meant to be in the software development process.

“Implementing Agile localization is a huge opportunity for localization teams to tear down walls and work more closely with customers, software developers, and LSPs. No localization team should pass up the chance to make this happen,” explains Common Sense Advisory’s Director of Global Leader Services, Rebecca Ray. 

The report covers best practices developed by front-runners in Agile localization. Beginner through veteran localization managers can apply the lessons learned as they implement and benchmark their own operations in the following areas:

• What to expect and how to prepare for Agile-ization
• Why you don’t have to be 100% Agile to deliver Agile localization
• How you can exploit the methodology to gain a permanent seat on the development team
• Why an organization’s corporate culture and level of localization maturity influence success for Agile implementation
• The three approaches that localization teams use to sync up with Agile developers
• The eight areas that require attention for localization automation
• The steps required to optimize localization testing for Agile
• The three areas to address when adapting linguistic quality models for Agile localization
• How to restructure remuneration for LSPs for Agile projects

A subsequent research brief, entitled “Agile: A Quick Introduction for Localization Teams,” presents a short overview of Agile methodology for localization teams. Both the report and brief are a part of the firm’s research membership. 

About Common Sense Advisory

Common Sense Advisory is an independent market research company helping companies profitably grow their international businesses and gain access to new markets. It specializes in best practices for translation, localization, interpreting, globalization, and internationalization. For more information, visit www.commonsenseadvisory.com or www.twitter.com/CSA_Research.

Media contact: Melissa C. Gillespie, Melissa@commonsenseadvisory.com, +1 760-522-4362