(e-book extract)

Devising the project schedule

Each project, in principle, comes with a deadline. This may be set by the client and, where necessary, may be adapted depending on the availability of the sub-contractor. Conversely, it may be set by the translation company when the client requests an estimate of the time required to bring the translation project to its conclusion. In this case, the client will either accept the delivery date proposed or will voice any concerns they may have.

1. The purpose of the schedule
It is always desirable to establish a schedule for carrying out the project, whatever the circumstances. It must be drawn up in such a way that the turnaround time is neither too long, nor too short. Clients are indeed at liberty to consider proposals from several translation companies. Therefore, in the case of several proposals of a similar budget, they will generally opt for the closest delivery date. However, in proposing an extremely short, almost unreasonable deadline, not only do you risk scaring the client off (they may question the methods used to carry out a project in three days that should normally take 20), but you also place the entire project in danger of failing. It is then essential, for any project, to ensure that the deadline that has been requested or proposed is met, whilst observing the instructions provided and guaranteeing the level of quality required.

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