Whenever undertaking a new project, and regardless of who will be performing your localization, the first thing to do is to create a complete localization project bill of material (BOM).

A BOM is a localization kit containing all the files that need to be localized, with accurate instructions and any support documentation that can be helpful to the localization team.

The list below includes a comprehensive catalog with the latest technology and file formats that are typically needed in a localization kit:

1. User Interface (UI) files: These files from your software application contain the string tables and dialog coordinate information that the software uses to display the interface to the user.

2. Online help files: These are HTM, XML, or other formats that will provide the user with online instructions when they click on the help buttons in the software.

3. Manuals: These are the guides (User, What's New, Getting Started) tutorials, and any other manuals that need to be localized.

4. Miscellaneous files: This could include the installation scripts, license agreements (EULA), Readme, release notes ...

5. Web files: If you are localizing a website, or if the application is web-enabled, identify and collect the entire set of files that are needed to run the website.

6. Marketing Collateral: To properly address the marketing requirements, you should obtain and provide the source files in QuarkXPress, InDesign, PowerPoint, MS Publisher, MS Word, or any other authoring system the collateral was authored in.

7. Multimedia/e-Learning: Include all audio, video, Flash, transcripts, timing reports and any additional requirements specific to video formats, file formats, and details on voice-over, dubbing, subtitling and video processing.

List and document what all the files are and include all pertinent info to your localization team about your needs and requirements. Then compress them all into one zip, sit, tar or rar file while keeping the naming and directory structures intact. With that, you will be the proud creator of the ideal localization kit.

Read the full article with detailed lists of files and more information on The ideal localization kit!