Could we …?

Yesterday a client asked a great question about their online member directory:

Is there a way we could let members create their directory profile in any language they wish, and then display our directory in all those languages?

Technically, the answer is: Yes, you could.

But "could we" is not usually the first question I like to ask.

The first question is:

Could you actually operate that system?

Who reviews those profiles?
Who checks the quality of the translations?
Who communicates with members if something needs to be fixed?
Who supports users submitting content in languages your staff may not read?

Here's the thing:

In software systems, it's easy to focus on whether or not something can be built.

But the real question is whether the organization can actually run it.

Often the best answer is the 80/20 one:

Instead of building a full multilingual data system, we can simply add automated translation to the site.

Not perfect.

But it gives members and visitors access to the information they need, without multiplying the complexity of managing the directory.

Because after all:

The goal isn't having the most sophisticated system.
The goal is a system your team can run.

All the best,
A.