Tracking translation progress and costs for DITA content is essential for organizations to manage localization efficiently and make informed decisions. DITA, with its structured approach, offers mechanisms to monitor the progress of translation projects and estimate associated costs.

Metadata for Tracking

In DITA, metadata elements such as the last-reviewed date, reviewed-by, and translation-related details can be used to track translation progress. By regularly updating these metadata fields, organizations can determine when a topic was last reviewed and by whom. This information is valuable for monitoring the translation status of DITA content. Additionally, language-specific elements can indicate which content has been translated into specific languages, helping to assess the completeness of translations.

Cost Estimation

Organizations can estimate translation costs by analyzing the volume of DITA content to be translated and the target languages. DITA topics can be analyzed for word count and language requirements. This data is crucial for obtaining accurate quotes from translation service providers. Using automation tools, it is possible to extract and analyze content for estimation, ensuring that organizations have a clear understanding of the budget required for translation efforts.

Example:

Here’s an example of how DITA allows organizations to track translation progress and costs:

<topic id="user_guide">
  <title>User Guide</title>
  <version>2.5</version>
  <last-reviewed>2023-09-30</last-reviewed>
  <translation>
    <language code="fr">
      <status>in-progress</status>
      <cost-estimate>5000 USD</cost-estimate>
    </language>
    <language code="es">
      <status>not-started</status>
      <cost-estimate>0 USD</cost-estimate>
    </language>
  </translation>
</topic>

In this example, a DITA topic includes translation status and cost estimates for different languages. This allows organizations to track the progress and associated costs for translating the content into specific languages.