Strategic views on localization project management

This chapter examines the strategic position of localization management in high-tech software and Web companies through the phases of requirements development, requirements management, product development and portfolio management. It begins by examining the three functional units that formulate the strategies and planning required to transform an idea into a successful localized product: International Product Management, Localization Project Management and Portfolio Management. Next, it discusses the product development process and participants. It then addresses the critical importance of requirements and stakeholder identification, and examines in detail the role of the Business Requirements Document (BRD), Market Requirements Document (MRD) and Product Requirements Document (PRD) in the product development process. Finally, the chapter situates localization management in the context of portfolio management and concludes by discussing implications for practitioners, students and educators.