Episode 538: Analyzing Time Required for Translating 100 Characters in Japanese

Measuring working time on certain process

For example, when you want to measure the "time required for translation" in the translation process, you can consider a method that having "reporting (inputting)" actual working time" together with the"translation result".

However, in that method, it requires to have the workers to measure the actual work time in the means such as;

• Write down the start time
• Use old-fashioned stopwatch
• Use a stopwatch software to measure working time
• Use the "Stopwatch button" displayed on the screen of entering the translation

Such an act of "self-measuring and reporting working hours" must be a major effort.

* However, there are still advantages that it is possible to respond flexibly, such as temporarily stopping the measurement, when time to be excluded such as "coffee break" or "corresponding to interrupt work " occurs halfway.

The accuracy of the reported value

Also, "Inaccurate actual work time" may be reported as a result.

For example, the "work time" would be entered a little differently from the fact, if it is a system in which some incentive affects to make the "translation time" looks shorter (or longer) in terms of personnel evaluation and ability assessment.

Alternatively, if there are workers who are proud of their outcome of the work itself and have no interest in such as "translation time", we have to assume that 'perfunctory data' will be entered.

[Translation flow]

Episode 498: Variations of Data Processing at Automated Step (Part 5)

"Want to share translated document with the team..."

Indeed, "Share by Email" is not so bad. A translated sentences would be shared quickly with the team by a setting to send automatically to Team ML (Mailing List) upon completion of translating. Feedback about mistranslated or brushing up might be obtained.

However, it would not be happy that when a person who has received an email wants to reply, he or she must reply by email. Enterprise Social Networking is the mainstream for in-house information exchange, nowadays.


The Workflow definition below, it is devised to post to [OpenChat], which is an Enterprise Social Networking of Questetra, upon completion of translating. It allows co-workers to Like immediately on a High-quality translation.

[Translation Process-OpenChat Post]

Episode 497: Variations of Data Processing at Automated Step (Part 4)

• Instruction manual sentences that described in multiple language
• Manuscripts of Website (HTML)
• Source codes

A Creation flow for these drafts ought to be devised to record (not only "Number of characters", also) "Hash value" automatically.

A Hash value is a "Message digest". It is also referred to as "fingerprint". In short, it generates "32 of hexadecimal characters" (in the case of MD5 method) from any data instantly, allowing to validate data falsification of even a single character. (For more details, please see Wikipedia, etc.)

In the following workflow, [Auto-steps](Service Task) of "Hash generation (MD5)" and "Hash generation (SHA256)" have been arranged. Both of them will be available when you conduct feature expansion with [Addon XML]. (Questetra BPM Suite v11.1. Releasing in early September?)

[Translation Process-Hash Value]

Episode 496: Variations of Data Processing at Automated Step (Part 3)

I definitely want an Auto-step icon that is needed in this business!

Everybody who designs Business Processes (Modeling) tends to desire to automate various processing.

In version 11.1 of Cloud-based Workflow, "Questetra BPM Suite", which we are going to release at the end of August 2016, you will be able to use additional Auto-step icons. More specifically, your original auto-step icons will be available by; obtaining packaged "Add-on XML" and importing it as Additional feature file (Process Model file).

You will get these [Add-on XML] mostly by

• Downloading from Questetra's Website
• Provision from third-party

Whereas, it will be also capable of creating yourself, as you can guess from the words of "Add-on XML".

The following is the same "Translation Process" workflow that I have introduced you in the last post. And in which I made a substitution to [Script Step] with self-made [Auto-Step].

[Translation Process-Add-on]

Episode 493: Managing Uses of Team Password (Sheets API v4)

Day-to-day work is full of Team passwords...

When you install a wifi router, you configure "Admin password". When you apply for online printing service, you register a "Business account". When you just buy a scanner, you are demanded "User registration". Despite I have grown up having been taught "Never share your password" since my childhood, there are lots of passwords that are inevitable to share in the real adult life! (And, top secret files are stored in the file server of the company...)


The following Workflow is a Business Process for managing "Team password".

You may regard it as a "Password manager" of an organization. It is devised to disclose a password after ten minutes when an employee makes a request. All the information, such as When it was used, Who used it, and Which password, will be recorded. (Moreover, "Password change" by the administrator will be recorded, as well.)

[Password Request]

Platforming the Translation Workflow

Manuals, Press release, Website...

Translation job is born in various sections. Certainly, Outsourcing and Crowdsourcing could be the options for 'translation on common matters'. However, I would say, translation of sentences that are full of terminology should be done in-house. (Or else, you should concentrate on specific translation requestee.)

The following is a simple translating operation.

Notably, that it displays the sentences to be translated on the left side of 'two column layout', and the translation can be written in the Input field on the right side. Particularly for shorter manuscript, the translator will treat it quickly only with the Web browser. (The Spellchecker as browser plug-in would also be helpful.)

Also, it can be said it is very excellent that "the amount of work" (number of characters in the translation) is automatically measured, in addition to recording of basic Workflow information such as Who/ When.

[Translation flow]

Review and Share the Script for Data Editing on Workflow!

'Red pen' is the best way to review a draft by your subordinate?

Indeed, I feel good in writing my comments freely after printing out the draft onto paper, like

• This expression is unacceptable!
• These sentences are hard to understand!!
• More specifically about this!!!

In some cases, I would draw arrows or enclose the entire sentences... A red pen provides a good efficiency. (As long as paper can be handed, as I can supplement verbally, as it shouldn't be recorded...)

This 'function of a red pen'(?) probably corresponds to the "Review function" of a PC software. On "Microsoft Word", the reviewer writes in 'Track change' mode, and the drafter confirms in 'Show Markups' mode.

However, how do I do this on Web workflow?


The Workflow below represents "Reviewing on JavaScript". In this reviewing process, the manuscript to be reviewed is displayed on the left side of 'Two column layout', and on the right side, you can enter your comments into the input form.

Certainly, I can't help feeling 'this setting is too simple as a mechanism'. But, if you use it, you will find it is surprisingly convenient. First of all, it is wonderful that you can quickly handle the reviewing without even booting special software.

[Script Reviewing flow]

Efficiency by 'Template Sentence'

In the case of writing a 'Description of the company', for example, there will be various ways such as;

• Lightly in short sentences / tightly in long sentences
• Current property / history of the past

Or in the case of writing a 'description of a product', the way of writing may vary according to

• to write concept of the product / details of the functions
• to write toward people who see for the first time / write toward people who already know

Certainly, for the experienced staffs, the ' writing' could be done quick and easy. However, for rookies and newcomers, it would be a time-consuming duty.

The following Business Process is a Workflow for registering "reusable sentence (template)", and at the same time, accepting "Improving comments". It might be a knowledge database, rather than a workflow. It is not only to improve the deskwork efficiency, but also to build common recognition in the company. (Also for people who register, it becomes note for future reference.)

1. Originating (ordinary): Product introduction, Technology description, Business description
2. Originating (extraordinary): Failure announcement, Emergency action report, Questioning
3. Replying: Appreciation for inquiry, Apology to the complaint, Refusal against Sales

[Registration of Template and Review]

Utilizing Workflow for Smooth Web Site Operation

"Updating the Website" is operations that exist in most companies.
And the "Workflow" for it is shrouded in secrecy...

First of all, speaking about "site update", there are a variety of "levels".

1. Correcting the typographical errors.
2. Adding a blog post
3. Adding information such as press release news, etc..
4. Adding the introduction page of product service.
5. Replacing the induction banner on the homepage. 
6. Changing the site design as far as leading to advertising campaign.
7. Changing the platform (CMS), major relocation and major modification.
8. Outsourcing to a professional company, build a project of large-scale modification.

In the following Workflow, it aims to up to "level 5" of the above 8. In plain words, this workflow smoothes the "operations of the Web site on a daily basis". And it records adding or editing on the Web page automatically.

At any time, people who concerned will be able to see who created which content (= governance point of view), how many times a month each member makes updating (= personnel evaluation point of view), as well as the history of the Website (= governance point of view).

[Website Updating]

Managing Query via Website or Email on Free Cloud

'Want to collaborate in reply emails'
'Want to visualize the progress of creating reply emails'

A flow of Contact Support is complicated. Many companies have their complicated splitting flows such as, "Escalation", "Technical survey", "Committing to Sales section" or "FAQ registration", etc.. Also, it varies according to the company scale. Even in the same business industry, the flow will be totally different in organization with 10, 100, 1000 personnel. That is, Contact Support operation is one of the businesses that you want to explore "the way it should be" for your own. Nowadays, you better make your attempt to optimize the business flow using a 'Business Process Management tool' (BPM tool).

However, even though 'Modifying and Improving' is the specialty of "BPM tools", they are less good at usability of the input screen. For example, the importance of each item cannot be known even if they have been carefully set to fit the business of the company, because it looks flat.

"Questetra BPM Suite" is equipped with a feature that you can customize 'Input Form screen' exhaustively.
Though you will need knowledge of HTML, you can continue to explore 'an Input screen which anyone can handle' or 'an Input screen that allows quick responding'. That will make even rookie employees to play active roles. (Advanced Layout feature)

[Contact Replying flow]

Information to be Announced, Managed with the Cloud-based Workflow

"Announcement of the new service", "Occurring of failure", "Occurring of conflict"...
Information disclosure duties that require both of "swiftness" and "accuracy" is tough. Nowadays like IT terminal has evolved, "timely disclosure" is essential, not only to investors, but also customers, suppliers, employees... to all of your stakeholders. In other words, if you can not spread the fact widely and quickly, you will not win the trust as an enterprise. Speaking further, it does not matter "Listed company or not" or "size of the organization." Neither the distinction of "administrative or private". In reality, the organization which rarely updated content of their website, such as the News or Information, they can not get the endorsement.

Traditionally, "information" of this kind are classified as, [1] the determined fact (endogenous), [2] the occurred fact (extrinsic), [3] the statement of accounts.
In any of these "", it will be important how much you can gather inside company information. Through the "Information Disclosure process"Those information will be selected and eliminated, will be considered about the announcement whether necessary, and the content, and the date of the announcement, and eventually some of which would be announced.

As the theory of the "business process management", you should better to start the development of information disclosure process, with [1] endogenous the determined fact.

[Information Disclosure flow]