This is an approach to time planning and scheduling of time for freelance translators.

1. An Approach to Time
Planning & Scheduling for
Freelance Translators

2.  You must know your HOURLY AVERAGE
TRANSLATION SPEED (HATS) and DAILY
AVERAGE TRANSLATION SPEED (DATS)
according to the type of text.
 First of all you should be aware that TIME
TRAPS AND UNFORESEEN SITUATIONS (to be
explained on the next slides) COULD SWEEP
AWAY ABOUT ¼ OF YOUR TIME.
 That’s why you should regard your EFFECTIVE
TIME (ET) as ¾ of time which you calculated
according your HATS & DATS. If you don’t
encounter a hitch or time trap then you are
lucky and ahead of time.
Before accepting project/job
-Translation speed.
-Volume of text.
-How many hrs. should I work in a
day/week?
-How much time do I need for
completion?
-Deadline.
-Can I complete due time?
written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu

3.  ET MODEL is to plan two hours as one
and half hours at most (other half hour is
your reserve for time traps and
unforeseen situations).
 For example; if you plan to work
8 hrs/day then you have only 6 hrs. ET to
be spent for translation.
Applying of ET model;
written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu

4. How to make a Daily
Schedule
 Another point related to
scheduling is that you are not
able to work continuously so
you need to BREAK for a
more efficient job.
 BREAKS could be 10 min. for
a 50 min. work or 5 min. for a
25 min work according to
type of text and your way of
work in order not to be
distracted.
 That means 20 min. of
scheduled 120 min. (two hrs.)
work hour will be spent for
BREAK.
written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu

5. written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu
HATS
DATS
(6 hrs
ET/day)
NEEDED TIME
FOR 6-HOUR
ET (8-HOUR
REAL WORK
TIME)
TIME TO BE ALLOCATED
FOR SCHEDULING 6-HOUR ET
(8-HOUR REAL WORK TIME)
REMARKS
50 min. real work time
+10 min. break time
25 min. real work time
+5 min. break time
*Since you need a
total of 9,5 HOURS
FOR a 6-HOUR ET (or
8-hour real work
time) DO NOT
EXCEED 8 hours
work time/day as a
rule.
*If you are not able
to complete the
project/job DUE
TIME, NEVER
ACCEPT it.
*If you don’t
encounter a hitch or
time trap then you
are lucky and AHEAD
OF TIME.
200
words/hour
1200
words/day
8 hours
9,5 hours
(8 hours real work
time+1,5 hours break
time)
9,5 hours
(8 hours real work
time+1,5 hours break
time)
In the light of above mentioned points let’s set an example on a chart;
How to make
a Daily
Schedule
written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu

6. A Sample Schedule
Prepared for 8-hour
work time
TIME ACTIVITY DURATION
08.00-09.00 Exercise and breakfast 60'
09.00-09.30 Check e-mails, calls etc. Prepare for work 30'
09.30-10.20 WORK 50'
10.20-10.30 BREAK 10'
10.30-11.20 WORK 50'
11.20-11.30 BREAK 10'
11.30-12.20 WORK 50'
12.20-12.30 BREAK 10'
12.30-13.30 Lunch, web browsing, check e-mails, calls etc. 60'
13.30-14.20 WORK 50'
14.20-14.30 BREAK 10'
14.30-15.20 WORK 50'
15.20-15.30 BREAK 10'
15.30-16.20 WORK 50'
16.20-16.30 BREAK 10'
16.30-17.20 WORK 50'
17.20-17.50 BREAK, e-mails, calls, exercise at your desk 30'
17.50-18.30 Dinner 40'
18.30-19.20 WORK 50'
19.20-19.30 BREAK 10'
19.30-20.20 WORK 50'
20.20-20.30 BREAK 10'
20.30-21.00 WORK 30'
written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu

7. written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu
How does the time slip by? TIME TRAPS
ALWAYS TAKE COGNIZANCE
OF TIME TRAPS
social media cell phones
e-mails
disorganization
chatty co-workers
and/or friends
web browsing
(for any purpose)

8. family members’
interruptions
- Sweetie, Get the door!
and so on…
- Honey, I will be late
will you please pick up
the child from school?
- Dad, can we talk?
unexpected guests
ALWAYS TAKE COGNIZANCE
OF TIME TRAPS
written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu
How does the time slip by? TIME TRAPS

9. technical problems with software or hardware
power source cut-off
ALWAYS TAKE COGNIZANCE
OF UNFORESEEN
SITUATIONS
illness minor physical injuries
written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu
How does the time slip by? UNFORESEEN SITUATIONS

10. Take precaution for time traps & unforeseen situations
 Plan and schedule your day to stay on task and
reduce distractions.
 Set a time to answer e-mails except urgent ones.
 Determine a certain time to browse your
favorite site (e.g; on lunch)
 Keep your phone away from your work area and
leave a voicemail if possible.
 When someone comes to chat or visit, nicely let
them know that you’re in the middle of
something important and that you’ll get back
them.
 Let family members know your Daily Schedule.
written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu

11.  Tidy up. Let your stationery and files (both on
desk and computer) be orderly.
 Know somebody to help you cope with
hardware and software malfunctions of your
computer.
 Obtain a UPS and/or spare laptop battery
against power cut-offs and always back up your
works periodically. This is urgent.
 Have a medicine chest available for pills and
first aid material.
 Do not have snacks while working.
written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu
Take precaution for time traps & unforeseen situations

12. DO NOT BE A WORKAHOLIC. Make your
off-day(s) (for example; plan Saturday (or
another day) as a half work-day, and
Sunday (or next day) as off-work day in
order to plan for your jobs, rest, meet
your needs, exercise, be mentally ready
and make a smooth pass to full work
day.
DO NOT EXCEED 8 real work hrs/day.
DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. STICK TO
your PLAN & SCHEDULE.
Always BACK UP your WORKS.
written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu
Some crucial points

13. An Approach to Time Planning
and Scheduling for Freelance
Translators
written by Sertaç Binbaşıoğlu