Internationalization of a B2B software application

Situation: the project involved the internationalization of a B2B desktop software, aiming to enhance its usability for a global audience and simplify the integration of multiple languages. The primary focus was on improving speed and efficiency in managing different languages within the software.

Task: my task was to research and explore effective strategies for internationalization management in B2B software, with a specific emphasis on streamlining the process and ensuring seamless integration of multiple languages. The main objective was to investigate ways in which users could easily switch between and manage different languages within the software interface. This led to a deeper inquiry into the feasibility of automating these procedures and exploring alternative solutions to enhance user experience.

Action: to accomplish the task, I conducted a thorough analysis of internationalization practices in the software industry, studying successful cases and best practices. I collaborated with the software development team to identify areas where language integration could be optimized and automated. I also engaged with users to gather feedback on their language management preferences and pain points. Based on this research, I proposed potential solutions for enhancing the internationalization process, including automation tools and user-friendly interfaces for managing multiple languages.

Result: through the research and collaborative effort, we successfully implemented improvements in the internationalization management of the B2B desktop software. By automating certain procedures and providing users with more intuitive language management options, we significantly improved the speed and efficiency of language integration. Users were able to seamlessly switch between languages and manage localization settings with ease, enhancing the overall user experience and making the software more accessible and user-friendly for a global audience.

Project initiation

I start by carefully reviewing the task and recording my initial thoughts. Next, I rank these ideas, concentrating on the top 2-3. I then expand on these chosen concepts, considering all pertinent factors. Furthermore, I engage in competitor analysis to gather additional market insights and comprehend the key challenges that these software solutions seek to tackle.

The logical flow

After brainstorming solutions, I move on to creating a flowchart. While dissecting each step of every phase, I often uncover potential oversights or scenarios that weren't initially considered. Visualizing the entire process in a flowchart helps ensure thoroughness and serves as a diagnostic tool to highlight areas needing extra focus. This pivotal stage is where conceptual ideas start to materialize, and the flowchart acts as a roadmap for refining and enhancing the planned course of action.

Surface for engagement: the user interface design

The following stage involves identifying the essential elements required to create low-fidelity wireframes. This phase is crucial as it sets the foundation for transforming conceptual ideas into concrete visual representations. I either utilize an existing library or develop a custom set of components. Subsequently, I construct the necessary screens, encompassing not only the main screens but also integrating error states and success messages.

It’s important to mention that sometimes low- or high-fidelity visuals are not necessary. In order to save time, we might jump to the next phase and delivery quickly.

After the high-fidelity mockups are approved, the journey continues with the development of interactive prototypes using Figma. This interactive phase offers stakeholders the opportunity to test the solution on various devices, providing a realistic preview of the future product and allowing for adjustments without wasting resources. Subsequently, I document the design work completed and conduct a detailed handover session with developers.

During the development phase, regular design reviews are essential to identify potential issues early on that may arise as bugs later. I actively participate in the release process and follow up by seeking feedback from users. While stakeholders are involved throughout the process, I place value on gathering additional insights to continuously improve and refine the product in subsequent iterations.