Poll: On how many projects do you usually work at a time? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "On how many projects do you usually work at a time?".
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| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 23:46
Spanish to English
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... just one or two, but, again, define "project". If it just means "translation/revision proofing jobs" or "something I happen to be doing", then I usually have at least one or two on the go, of varying degress of complexity, urgency, personal interest... etc.
A translator colleague once told me that he always avoided working with anyone calling translation jobs "projects", or who had a sleek and professional looking website, or airbrushed expensive-looking reception or secretarial... See more ... just one or two, but, again, define "project". If it just means "translation/revision proofing jobs" or "something I happen to be doing", then I usually have at least one or two on the go, of varying degress of complexity, urgency, personal interest... etc.
A translator colleague once told me that he always avoided working with anyone calling translation jobs "projects", or who had a sleek and professional looking website, or airbrushed expensive-looking reception or secretarial staff, as they were usually the worst organised, tardiest payers and most demanding clients. I tend to agree.
Form over substance.
On another tack, yesterday I was asked by one client to give an estimate for a job consisting of taking taped market research interviews (in Spanish) and transcribing/translating them directly into English. Usually this type of job for similar clients is transcribed into Spanish by the client, then forwarded to me for translation, so it looks like they are trying to cut someone out of the loop; maybe they are laying off staff, I don't know, but I reckon if I accepted this I would be doing two jobs at once, as the transcription part is more akin to interpreting than translating.
I've also noted an upsurge in the amount of "revising/proofing" jobs (or projects) on offer. I have therefore decided to refuse them after this week (am doing one right now), because I am sure it must be because of the number of market-busting, un- or poorly qualified, non-native or MT user intruders out there... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Harris 
Germany
Local time: 23:46
Member (2006)
German to English
but have another to follow on immediately after that
Also depends on how long thedeadlines are and how large the "project" is. If it has 100.000 words over 6 months, then it is obvious that one does not only work on the one job.
| | | | keelin feeney
Ireland
Local time: 22:46
Member (2007)
Spanish to English
+ ...
| In general, one | May 10, 2011 |
I generally have one job on the go at a time. However, if I am doing a large job and a client requests a small job that I know I have time to do, I'll do it and continue then with the large job. As a result, I am not a fan of clients who ask for part of the translation to be sent in every day / 2 days during a long project, although I can see why it would be to their benefit.
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these days i've been working on larger projects so it's usually one at a time. If they're smaller I can do more than one. But i like to start another one as soon as I am finished.
| | | | John Fossey
Canada
Local time: 17:46
Member (2008)
French to English
+ ...
There may, of course, be numerous jobs in the pipeline. But I like to give the job I am working on my undivided attention.
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Several in the order book, but usually one on the go (or I may draft one translation, draft the next one, then go back and revise the first, etc.).
| | | | Patricia Charnet
United Kingdom
Local time: 22:46
Member (2009)
English to French
Oliver Lawrence wrote:
Several in the order book, but usually one on the go (or I may draft one translation, draft the next one, then go back and revise the first, etc.).
Yes I do that too sometimes and I find that you see the mistakes better if you switch to something else for a while and then come back to the first project - or if I only have one project (like a big assignment) then I go out in the garden for 20 minutes and come back, and revise it and have noticed that I'm better at revising the draft
[Edited at 2011-05-10 14:38 GMT]
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Anthony Baldwin
United States
Local time: 17:46
Portuguese to English
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on so many factors...
Mostly, on how much work is available, deadlines, etc.
If I get a big project with a tight deadline, I focus solely on that one.
If a number of smaller projects are available with more forgiving deadlines, I'll take a few (intentionally vague).
It is rare that I would take on more than 3 or 4, all the same..
At the moment, I have none, except some volunterr free/open source software localization, on my plate.<... See more on so many factors...
Mostly, on how much work is available, deadlines, etc.
If I get a big project with a tight deadline, I focus solely on that one.
If a number of smaller projects are available with more forgiving deadlines, I'll take a few (intentionally vague).
It is rare that I would take on more than 3 or 4, all the same..
At the moment, I have none, except some volunterr free/open source software localization, on my plate.
I might, for the first time in seemingly forever, just read a book. That would be nice... ▲ Collapse
| | | | Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 23:46
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
| 1, somtimes 2 | May 10, 2011 |
patriciacharnet wrote: Oliver Lawrence wrote:
Several in the order book, but usually one on the go (or I may draft one translation, draft the next one, then go back and revise the first, etc.). Yes I do that too sometimes and I find that you see the mistakes better if you switch to something else for a while and then come back to the first project - or if I only have one project (like a big assignment) then I go out in the garden for 20 minutes and come back, and revise it and have noticed that I'm better at revising the draft [Edited at 2011-05-10 14:38 GMT]
I do the same, especially with a large translation job. The text - and its mistakes - become clearer after having focused on something else, either another translation or walking the dog or, in some cases, a good night's sleep.
| | | | | Usually 1, sometimes 2, but... | May 10, 2011 |
I usually only have 1 or 2 projects going at a time, but it just so happens that I currently have 3 projects pending through the end of this month. I may have to temporarily pass one of them on to a colleague, since it is ongoing with no hard deadline and files being sent sporadically.
It also appears that I may have only these 3 large projects for the month, which is unusual since I normally have 5 to 10 small to medium sized projects per month. Not sure which situation I like bett... See more I usually only have 1 or 2 projects going at a time, but it just so happens that I currently have 3 projects pending through the end of this month. I may have to temporarily pass one of them on to a colleague, since it is ongoing with no hard deadline and files being sent sporadically.
It also appears that I may have only these 3 large projects for the month, which is unusual since I normally have 5 to 10 small to medium sized projects per month. Not sure which situation I like better, but as long as the invoices are paid, I guess I'll be fine with either one. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Melanie Nassar
United States
Local time: 00:46
German to English
+ ...
| I answered 2-3 | May 10, 2011 |
but of course, at any given time I am actually working on only one project (there's only so much multi-tasking can accomplish). I usually have jobs in various stages of completion or with different due dates. I try to start out in the morning with the most difficult or longest job and put in a few hours in on it, then switch to something less demanding before lunch. After lunch and a short nap, I go back to something that requires more concentration and save the easiest stuff for last.
... See more but of course, at any given time I am actually working on only one project (there's only so much multi-tasking can accomplish). I usually have jobs in various stages of completion or with different due dates. I try to start out in the morning with the most difficult or longest job and put in a few hours in on it, then switch to something less demanding before lunch. After lunch and a short nap, I go back to something that requires more concentration and save the easiest stuff for last.
I also try to never commit to more than 1,000-1,500 words a day for any one job because I like variety. ▲ Collapse
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wonita (X)
China
Local time: 17:46
| One after another | May 11, 2011 |
Even if I have a few jobs at hand, I always try to complete them one after another. I can't have a few jobs open at the same time, I like order - one after another.
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