The first stage of a project involves determining the translation project type. Many classifications may be used, but most often, projects are divided by sector:

A. "Documentation" Projects

These projects present a very wide degree of complexity; they mainly include documents to be translated.

In the most simple cases, a document contains content of an e-mail message or a CV. In more complex cases, documents mostly include, for example, user guides describing various technical and lengthy processes (computer processes, medical brochures, automobile manuals, etc.)

B. "Software" Projects

This type of project refers to localisation of software and accompanying material (documentation guides, help files, marketing brochures, licences, CD jackets, etc.).

Again, these projects may be very simple and include only interface text strings to be translated in a text editor, or they may be extremely large and complicated, requiring the translation of hundreds of files of all types and formats (Java, XML, RC, etc.), testing of translated software on several operating systems, several updates, etc.

C. "Multimedia" Projects

These are typically projects using audio and/or video elements. For example, the translation of a course containing video animations with text and voice recordings.

Such projects usually require special software that may be expensive. Furthermore, they sometimes require the involvement of other companies, particularly in the case of renting a studio and recruiting actors to record translated text.

D. "Web" Projects

This category is very extensive, as "Web" projects can sometimes combine pieces from other categories mentioned above.

Their complexity may be low (for example, translation of some HTML pages) or high (for example, localisation of a sophisticated website with animations, files, video, and/or sound and built-in software applications).