Selecting Tasks to Transcribe

Updated: 10/03/24

As a member of our transcriber community, you play a key role in ensuring high-quality transcripts. One of the first steps in this process is claiming a task to work on. This guide will walk you through how to claim both standard and surge tasks, as well as the basics of claiming and unclaiming tasks.

Claiming Standard Tasks

Standard tasks are the backbone of our transcription workload. These are tasks that are available for general claiming and typically have a standard turnaround time. You will have 8 hours to complete these tasks.

How to Claim a Standard Task:

Access the Task List: Log in to your dashboard and if not already there, navigate to the Transcription section.
Claim the Task: Click the “Claim New Task” button.
Start the Task: Click “Start” to start the new task.
Complete the Task: Once claimed, you are responsible for completing the task by the given 8 hour deadline.

Claiming Surge Tasks

Surge tasks appear during periods of high demand, when we need transcripts turned around more quickly. These tasks often come with priority status and additional incentives. You will have 5 hours to complete these tasks.

How to Claim a Surge Task:

Spotting Surge Tasks: Surge tasks show up a different color (purple) on the transcription dashboard and in the task list labeled “Claim surge task”. In addition, you will receive an email notification when there are surge tasks available to claim.
Claim the Surge Task: Click the “Claim surge Task” button.
Start the Surge Task: Click “Start” to start the new surge task.
Complete the Task: Once claimed, you are responsible for completing the task by the given 5 hour deadline.

Unclaiming Tasks

There may be times when you claim a task but realize you can't complete it. Unclaiming is allowed but should be done sparingly to ensure efficient workflow and fairness to other team members.

Unclaiming Process:

Unclaim Option: If you're unable to complete a task, go to your "Transcription In Progress" queue and select the task. Once inside the task, click the "Unclaim" option in the upper right corner.
Avoid Making a Habit: While unclaiming occasionally is understandable, please try not to make it a habit, as it can cause delays and affect overall team productivity.
Provide a Reason: If you're unclaiming a task for reasons other than time, it is helpful to provide a brief reason, which helps us better understand and optimize task assignments.

Important Notes:

Deadlines: Once you claim a task, the deadline is your responsibility, so ensure you're ready to meet it before claiming.
Prioritize Accuracy Over Speed: While efficiency is important, never sacrifice quality for the sake of speed. Rushing through a task can result in missed information or careless mistakes, which can lead to rework and feedback.
Double-Check Your Work: Always take a moment to review your transcript before submission. Catching small mistakes, like incorrect punctuation or missing words, helps maintain high-quality standards and avoid unnecessary corrections.
Follow Transcription Guidelines Closely: Ensure you are familiar with and following all Parrot guidelines, including speaker labels, non-speech notation, and formatting rules. Adhering to these standards helps create uniform, accurate transcripts across the board.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively manage your workflow and contribute to delivering top-quality transcripts for our clients. Happy transcribing!