📌 Overview
I led a cost optimisation initiative for the Windows lockscreen localisation pipeline, driving 6 digits in annual savings while maintaining content quality. By re-evaluating ROI by market, restructuring the vendor workflow, and leveraging machine translation with human review, we created a leaner, smarter localization model that scaled globally.
❓ The Problem
Localisation was a major ongoing cost for the Windows lockscreen, with vendors billing by word count. However, ROI varied widely across markets — and we discovered that some of the highest-cost languages delivered the lowest user engagement impact. The process relied entirely on manual translation, even for regions with limited payoff.
💡 The Solution
Implemented a strategic localisation overhaul built around data and automation:
- ROI Analysis: Modeled return per dollar spent per language, factoring in user engagement by markets.
- Market Segmentation: Identified high-cost, low-impact languages that were draining budget
- Scope Reduction: Reduce localisation scope in low-ROI markets
- Workflow Modernization:
- Replaced full manual translation with machine translation + human review.
- Applied translation memory database to avoid repetitive manual work
This allowed us to preserve user experience in key markets while significantly cutting down unnecessary vendor costs.
📈 The Impact
- Achieved 6 digits in annual cost savings from localisation optimisation.
- Maintained user satisfaction.
- Improved operational efficiency without scaling back user experience in key languages
- Created a repeatable cost-benefit framework for localisation teams to use globally
🧠 What I Did
- Initiated and led the end-to-end ROI modeling and analysis.
- Partnered with localisation vendors and internal finance teams to validate cost breakdowns
- Drove alignment across content, engineering, and localisation vendor to implement the optimised strategy
- Led vendor negotiations and localisation guideline updates
🔍 Key Learnings
Not all localisation is created equal — and thoughtful analysis can unlock surprising value. This project showed me how product decisions aren’t just about features or UI, but also about operational strategy and cost-aware execution that scales.