Digital Technologies Impact on Marks and Spencer: A Business Case Study

BUSINESS MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
PROJECT
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Task 1.........................................................................................................................................4
Task 2.......................................................................................................................................14
Task 3.......................................................................................................................................19
Task 4.......................................................................................................................................29
Reference List..........................................................................................................................31
Appendices...............................................................................................................................32
Appendix 1- Questionnaire......................................................................................................32
Appendix 2- Project Logbook..................................................................................................32
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Introduction
Digital technologies have been a revolutionary force that has helped numerous organisations
enhance their operations to be more efficient, and achieve better market competitiveness. In
this assignment, the effects of the implementation of digital technologies in an organisation
operating in the UK have been analysed. The organisation chosen for this assignment is
Marks and Spencer, a retailing giant in the UK. The technologies implemented by them in
their workplace, and the effects of them upon their daily operations have been evaluated
using appropriate methods, based upon which recommendations have been forth, to help
them address the gaps in their implementation of digital technologies implemented by them.
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Task 1
LO1 Establish project aims, objectives and timeframes based on the chosen theme
P1-Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario addressing the chosen tile
as specified above.
1. Project Definition
The technologies are modifying and updating at a rapid rate. With the advancements in
technology, the business functions and operations are also changing. It is important for
business firms to keep upgrading and implementing new technologies so that they are able to
sustain thin the competitive environment. Marks and Spencer is one of the most popular
retailers of UK (Marksandspencer.com, 2018). The company provides quality products and
service to their consumers. This project deals with the impact of the digital technologies such
as Cloud computing, Artificial intelligence, internet of a thing and more on the operational
activities of M&S. the ways by which digital technologies are contributing towards providing
competitive edge to business retailers will be explored in this project. The project will explain
the time scale that will be required for each activity with the help of work breakdown
structure. The importance of the technologies will be evaluated in the project.
Problem Statement
Problem statements are the insufficient information or descriptions helps in understanding the
need of the project in the place. Thus, the study will be conducted in order to gain
information regarding the drawbacks that are faced by the organization due to the digital
technologies. The importance of the technological advancement for the business firm will be
analyzed in detailed and brief manner.
Project Strategy
The project strategy will help in providing guidance towards the success of the project. The
strategies that are being referred include schedules, project planning, control and closing the
project management. The process of strategic planning plays a vital role in creating both short
as well as long-term plans that helps in increasing the success rate of achieving all the
objectives of the project (Andersson, 2016). The project plan will help in setting appropriate
deadlines for the tasks so that the project can be completed within the stated timeframe. The
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lacking areas of the project can be monitored with the help of strategic management. This
will help in working on the lacking details so that the project outcomes can be enhanced.
Project Objective
The objective of this project have been listed below-
 To understand the various advancements those are being used by M&S
 To analyze the impact of different technological advancements on the business as well as
operational activities of M&S
 To understand the issues or challenges that was encountered by the management of M&S
while dealing with technologies.
 To provide accurate recommendations that can be beneficial for the management of M&S
in order to overcome the challenges or issues.
P2 – Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time,
quality, communication, risk and resources for the chosen project
Cost and Activities of the Project
Activities Cost Time (Hours) Cost/hour (£) Total Cost (£)
Recording the
collected data
13 7 91
Analysing the
gathered data
78 9 702
Finalise the cost
of the project
12 8 96
Contacting digital
solutions
22 12 264
Drafting the
report
52 10 520
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TOTAL 1673
Table 1: Cost and Activities of the Project
(Source: Created by the learner)
Deliverables
The project deliverables are the measurable performance that indicates the quantity as well as
quality of the intangible and tangible services that have been mentioned in the plan. This
project will analyze the impact of various technologies that are used by M&S. The impact of
those technologies on the business performances of the company will be studied (Chow et al.,
2014). The analysis will helps in understanding the outcome of the research and will assist to
acquire all the states objectives of the research.
Project Scope Statement
Included Scope
The scopes that have been included in this project and will assist in achieving the mentioned
objectives of the project have been discussed below:
 The time scale of the project will be monitored with the help of a well-organized work
break down structure.
 The project will provide a detailed plan regarding the steps that will assist in completing
the project
 Recruitment of efficient team members will help in completing the project
Excluded Scope
The scopes that have been excluded in the present project have been mentioned below:
 The description of various activities that made the utilization of digital technology
difficult
 The study will exclude irrelevant employee engagement in the processing of the project
management.
Success Criteria
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The success criteria of this project lie in understanding the impact of the technologies on the
operation of M&S. This will be done with the research data that will collect and by
conducting an interview wand survey with the managers and consumers of the organization.
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Live Risks
Sl.
no.
Date
Identi
fied
Owne
r
Risk Type of
Probab
ility
Imp
act
Leve
l
Impact
on the
Project
Actions
to
reduce
risks
Triggers
and
Actions in
case of
risk
1. 9th
July
2018
Mana
ger
Lack of
knowledge
regarding
the
technologi
es among
the staff
members
low Hig
h
Inefficien
t
utilizatio
n of
technolog
ical
advance
ments
Providi
ng the
employ
ees with
effectiv
e
training
Trigger
Lack of
adequate
training
and skills
among the
employees
Actions
Arranging
a proper
training
program
for the
employees
2. 10th
July
2018
Mana
ger
Communic
ation
Low Hig
h
Ineffectiv
e
cooperati
on
between
the
employee
Providi
ng
approp
riate
training
Triggers
Diverse
cultures
and
different
languages
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