Nov 12, 2024
Product Management
Documentation
Introduction
Managing bilingual product teams presents unique challenges and opportunities. When working with Japanese-English teams specifically, understanding cultural nuances and communication patterns becomes just as important as technical expertise. This guide provides practical strategies for success.
Communication Infrastructure
Documentation Strategy
Key Principle: Maintain parallel documentation in both languages, but establish one as the "source of truth."
Implement these specific practices:
Designate English as the primary technical documentation language
Create Japanese summaries for key decisions and strategic documents
Use version control systems that support multiple language branches
Implement a clear system for marking translation status:
未翻訳/Untranslated
レビュー待ち/Pending Review
完了/Complete
Tool Selection
Choose tools that explicitly support both languages:
Notion - Excellent for bilingual documentation
Slack - Supports Japanese input methods and has good translation integration
Figma - Supports Japanese fonts and input
Linear/Jira - Configure dual-language templates for tickets
Meeting Structures
Effective Meeting Format Example
Best Practices for Bilingual Meetings
Schedule meetings in "overlap hours" between time zones
Use the "1-2-1" rule: Present in language A, discuss in both, summarize in language A
Record meetings for team members to review with subtitles
Utilize real-time translation tools for chat-based discussions
Cultural Considerations
Decision-Making Patterns
Understanding Nemawashi (根回し): The Japanese practice of laying groundwork for decisions through informal conversations.
Adapt your processes to accommodate different decision-making styles:
Build in time for consensus-building (合意形成)
Create spaces for both direct and indirect feedback
Use anonymous feedback tools for sensitive topics
Document decisions in both direct (English-style) and contextual (Japanese-style) formats
Technical Communication
Code and Component Naming
Important: Establish clear conventions for naming in code to avoid confusion.
Guidelines for technical elements:
Use English for code variables and functions
Create bilingual comments for complex logic
Maintain glossaries for technical terms in both languages
Document API endpoints with bilingual descriptions
Project Management Approaches
Agile Adaptations
Modify agile practices to work better in a bilingual environment:
Create user stories in both languages
Use bilingual acceptance criteria
Implement "translation buffer" time in sprints
Regular sync meetings between language groups
Building Team Cohesion
Cross-Cultural Team Building
Team Activity Idea: Monthly language exchange sessions where team members teach each other technical terms in their native language.
Activities to strengthen team bonds:
Organize cultural exchange events
Create language-learning channels in Slack
Celebrate holidays from both cultures
Partner team members across language groups for projects
Practical Tips for Daily Work
Communication Best Practices
Use simple, clear language in both English and Japanese
Avoid idioms and cultural references that don't translate well
Provide written follow-ups to verbal discussions
Use visual aids whenever possible
Create templates for common communications in both languages
Measuring Success
Track these metrics to gauge effectiveness:
Documentation usage rates by language
Translation turnaround time
Cross-language team collaboration frequency
Meeting participation rates across language groups
Team satisfaction surveys in both languages
Conclusion
Success in bilingual product teams comes from intentional structure and cultural awareness. By implementing these strategies, teams can create an environment where both Japanese and English-speaking team members can contribute effectively and feel valued.
Remember: The goal isn't just to translate between languages, but to create a truly collaborative environment where diverse perspectives strengthen the product development process.