A Localized E-Learning Case Study

Online, January 19, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Profile
A leading global IT company ("the Client") with a corporate education initiative aimed at shaping the next generation of innovators-particularly in the areas of mathematics, science and technology-needed to localize interactive learning objects designed for primary-level school children into six European languages. Due to planning and resource issues on the Client's side, the training had not been originally designed with localization in mind.

The languages the Client requested included Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Europe) and Spanish (Europe).

Challenge
Timing was an extremely critical portion of this localization project. The source content involved 14,270 words that needed to be localized and completed within a strict turnaround time of 12 working days.

Because the learning objects were originally created in Adobe® Flash® with some JavaScriptTM and ActionScriptTM components, all the translatable content needed to be extracted, translated and then correctly placed back into each part of the course.

Merrill Brink Solution
The key to handling this project successfully demanded using both the right resources and the right processes.

Based on the information gathered at the scoping phase, Merrill Brink provided the Client with accurate cost and time estimates upfront, which allowed the Client to follow and meet its own internal approval cycle.

As part of Merrill Brink's standard initial project scoping procedures, the "Russian Doll" nature of the learning objects included in the project was quickly identified. Various content was buried deep in the numerous file formats and embedded in extensive coding. Merrill Brink's localization engineers confirmed that there was content in the Flash files that needed localization, as well as in JavaScript and ActionScript files.

Merrill Brink instituted a specific process to address the diversity of file formats, to ensure that quality control standards were maintained throughout the translations. The files for this project were particularly complex in that they contained hidden elements, white text on white background and elements that were either invisible or not immediately visible.

For the source content embedded within the Flash files, Merrill Brink employed a proven Flash text extraction technology. The extracted text was independently verified by a localization engineer since Flash files can be created in many different ways, making automatic text extraction difficult and cumbersome.

A second text extraction tool was created to handle the specific task of extracting embedded content from ActionScript files. As part of the workflow process, the text extractions were checked and verified for accuracy during each step of the development.

Finally, the JavaScript files were prepared for translation using Alchemy CATALYSTTM, a visual localization environment that supports every aspect of the localization workflow, which effectively and efficiently handled JavaScript files.

Merrill Brink assigned localization engineers with extensive Flash experience to the initial text extraction. The engineers diligently documented every action taken in the project instructions in order to ensure that the post-translation phase would also be as smooth as possible. The instructions were collaboratively shared throughout the translation team to ensure all participants had full knowledge of how the extraction and subsequent translation processes were handled.

At every step of this project, team members verified that all text was present, localized and corrected in all the learning objects, as verified against the English version of the training. Merrill Brink's Linguistic Testers and Quality Control specialists were also instructed to do a full walk-through of all of the training on a specifically set-up test bed in the Merrill Brink in-house lab. This allowed testers to view the source and target content side-by-side on localized operating systems.

Merrill Brink's online proprietary defect tracking system, BugTrac™, was used at every step of the project to efficiently handle any bugs found at any stage of the process. Each bug could easily be tracked, assigned to the appropriate resource to fix, be regressed and closed by the person who originally logged it.

Finally, the communication plan for this project was based on a peer-to-peer communication model. For instance, all of the engineers both from the Client's side and from Merrill Brink communicated directly with each other rather than having to route their requests or questions through the project management team. This streamlined communication, increased responsiveness and helped keep the project on track within its tight timeline.

Results
Because of the efficiencies Merrill Brink was able to bring to this complex translation request, the project was completed on time and within the Client's budget.

For companies with an international presence, it can be costly not to plan ahead when it comes to e-learning initiatives. If e-learning content is not designed with localization in mind, modifying, translating and localizing content after the fact can result in higher costs, longer turnaround times and lower quality of the final localized versions.

However, in this case, Merrill Brink's in-house expertise, effective scoping techniques, relevant tools and tried-and-tested processes combined to deliver high quality, fully functional localized versions of this e-learning product on time and on budget for the Client's 44,000 users.

About Merrill Brink International
Merrill Brink International (www.merrillbrink.com) is a leading provider of complete translation and language solutions for global companies and law firms, with special expertise in serving the legal, financial, life sciences, software, heavy machinery and corporate markets. A proven leader with more than 30 years of experience, Merrill Brink offers a wide range of language solutions including translation, localization, desktop publishing and globalization services.

Merrill Brink is recognized in the industry for its commitment to quality and its pioneering approach of leveraging technology to reduce costs, eliminate redundant processes and accelerate translation life cycles. Merrill Brink is certified to ISO 9001:2008; ISO 27001:2005 and ISO 13485:2003, and registered to EN 15038:2006 and ISO 14971:2007. Together, these standards provide assurance that the most stringent process and quality standards for translation are followed.