METRiQ

METRiQ is a trademarked linguistic quality management system developed by ForeignExchange Translations, Inc. of Newton, Massachusetts. It makes use of a Web-based tool programmed to provide objective measurement of all tasks in a translation project workflow.

Premise

The premise of METRiQ is that measuring quality in real-time, during the translation process is better than collecting metrics after projects are completed, thus allowing for quicker correction and implementation of corrective actions.

The data generated from METRiQ is used to identify improvement needs, and to measure improvements and efficiencies. Improvement opportunities are identified both at a corporate level, as well as on an account or project level. Benchmarks are determined, and targets for improvement identified. An analysis of process gaps that result from METRiQ outputs drives definition of corrective or preventive action plans. These actions may include process modifications, adjustment of long-term team members or training of existing members, enhancement of translation memory (TM) or glossaries, and more.

How it works

Trained editors log in to the METRiQ system and are presented with specific project data and a checklist for evaluating the quality of a translated document or project. They are asked to identify accuracy and stylistic errors and rate them in the system, on a numeric scale from critical to minor. Specific error types are listed, for example, "incorrect meaning," "inconsistent terminology," and "numerical errors." Comments are required as to the nature of errors found. These ratings are then tallied by a project manager. Rating tallies can quickly indicate problems areas in specific languages or type of documentation that can lead to corrective and preventive actions such as personnel changes to the linguistic team, added training or better support materials.

Intended outcomes

• Translation projects are completed only after meeting or exceeding defined requirements
• Higher delivered translation quality
• Quality moves upstream, resulting in cost and turnaround time reductions

References

METRiQ - measured translation quality