Performance Review and Reflection on Research Project

The assignment requires the student to reflect on their performance in completing a research project, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, and identifying areas for improvement. The student must also assess their management skills, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills, providing a detailed self-evaluation of their work. The document includes a template for performance review and reflection, which is to be attached with the report by the learner. The student's supervisor comments are also included in the assignment.

Managing a Successful
Business Project

INTRODUCTION
Digital technology refers to systems, technologies and methods which are the outcomes
of scientific knowledge. which use electronic and media tools and techniques to transfer
information and communicate messages to target customers with the help of internet. It is most
important for modern business, it is a communication tool or network to access, manage,
integrate, evaluate and create information in order to its target audience (Bloch, Blumberg and
Laartz, 2012). This assignment related to Continental Consulting Limited which is a research and
business consultancy headed by Mario Bindas. It is a small medium company and the main
business of the company is business process re-engineering and potential customers. In this
report will be discussed about the aims and objectives of the project or a project management
plan which covers various aspects such as cost, scope and others. A Gantt chart and work
breakdown structure will also defined with time-frames and stages for completion. Methods of
qualitative and quantitative research will also described to carry out small scale research to meet
the aims and objectives of the research. Data analysis, recommendations and reflection on the
value of undertaking the research for meeting stated objectives and own learning and
performance will be defined in report.
TASK 1
P1. Aims and objectives of the chosen topic
Topic- “The impact of digital technology supporting small business growth and innovation”.
Background of the study- This report is designed by consisting technological advancement that
create affect on the growth and development of small businesses. In early days, technology was
not much developed that businessman easily expand their business and achieve their
organisational objectives and profits. Emergencies and uncertainty was creating different issues
while production and delivery of products and services. But now these days, there are various
technologies that can be used the organisation and its management department to identifying
consumers needs and transfer goods and services to them. For example, with the help of social
media such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and others, the company can use them as a
promotional tool to provide information about the product to their target audience (Brady and
Davies, 2014). The organisation can use digital technologies in Human resource department to
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provide advertisement and notification related to vacant positions when the company organise
recruitment process.
Purpose of the research- According to the present condition of Continental Consulting limited.
It is need that they have to implement digital technologies through taking support from their
employees. The CEO of the company decided to invest more fund in making innovation so that
they can make innovation in its business process and create competition for their business rivals
or those companies who produces substitute products.
Aim- “To analyse the role of digital technology to support small business growth and
innovation”.- A case study on Continental Consulting limited.
Objectives- Continental Consulting limited is a research and business consultancy and the main
business of the company is business process re-engineering (Chang, Walters and Wills, 2013).
This company pertaining its business in IT industry and use IT in identical businesses. To
determine the condition, there are some objective of the company which are mentioned below:
 To understand the concept of social media technology
 To determine role of social media platform in growth and innovative working style of
Continental Consulting limited.
 To identify issues which arise during implementing digital technology.
P2.Project management plan which involves aspects of cost, scope, time and others
Project management plan is a formal and approved document that explain about the
project that how it is executed, monitored and controlled. This plan exploring the risk factors that
can affect developing products and services of the company. The purpose of this plan is a
document that can be used by researcher which involved with the project to help communicate
and gather detail information that describe the process which will undertake. There are various
aspects that covers within a project management plan, They are as following:
Cost- It refers to the amount and money which is used by the company to purchase raw material
and needed equipments to produces and manufacture goods and services. In Continental
Consulting limited, the management of the company do paper work so more of cost is invest in
buying paper. By using digital technologies like MS word, MS excel and other software it can
maintain its information and data and control the cost. By using PowerPoint software, the
management department of the company can prepare attractive presentation to its clients. For all
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these, the management of the company required £3000 whereas researcher need £350 to
complete its research because it need internet connection to gather information.
Total forecasted budget
Particular 2019-20 (£)
Implementing technology cost 18000
Expenses on promotional activities 6000
Magazines 2500
Expense on training and development programmes 4000
Total cost 30500
Scope- It involve those activities which required to be performed in order to achieve aims and
objectives of the research. In context of Continental Consulting limited, the company deal in IT
industry and operating its business in business process re-engineering (Cheung, Chan and
Kajewski, 2012). By implementing social media and other digital technologies, the company can
make development in the business growth of the company. With the help of cloud technology,
the organisation can enables effective filing, storage and sharing information. So, this project has
a large scope by using social media and supporting small business growth and innovation.
Time-frames- It refers to a period of time that include certain events inj whichj certain things are
expected to occur.. In this research project, it can be used to control and monitor different
activities of research (Doherty, Ashurst and Peppard, 2012). For completing this research, the
management department and researcher use different research methods such as qualitative and
quantitative and various source like primary and secondary. For completing all these activities,
the organisation need 3-4 weeks whereas the researcher need 2-3 weeks to complete its research
and collect information.
Quality- It is a method which can be used by the company to monitor the quality of the goods
and services which are produce by it so that they can attract more consumers and increase the
profit and productivity of the firm. It help the organisation, to make a better and good brand
image at marketplace and make reduction in the feedbacks. In Continental Consulting limited, by
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using good quality raw material and new technologies the company can provide better products
and services to its customer and make improvement in the growth of the firm.
Communication- It is a process of transferring and delivering information from one person or
group to another by using of mutually understood symbols, signs and semiotic rules. In
Continental Consulting limited, the manager of the company can use it knowing about the needs
and wants of the customers so that they can make innovation in their products or providing them
according their desires. The company can use external mode of communication to do research
regarding its objectives and use internal communication to solve the problems. This process will
required £500 whereas the researcher need £150 for this research to find out communication
mode which is beneficial for the firm.
Risk- It refers to the uncertainty which can be a probability of threat of damage, loss or any
negative impact that is caused by external or internal vulnerabilities. In Continental Consulting
limited, it refers to the unexpected actions and activities that can be occurred with in the
company and affect the internal and external factor of the firm (Dutta and Bose, 2015). For this,
the organisation can use digital technology to analyse these risks and threat which affect the
innovation and production of the firm.
Resources- it refers to those sources which help an organisation to manufacture a product. In
Continental Consulting limited, there are various resources that can be used by the company to
manufacture goods and services such as fund, equipments, employees and others. In this
research, there are various resources that can be used by researcher such as cost, research
methods, internet and others to gather data and information to attain the project objectives.
P3. Gantt Chart and work breakdown Structure
Work breakdown structure- It refers to a key project which organise the work of team into
measurable sections. It can be a chart which is the critical work on elements of a project that are
illustrated to portray their relationships to each other and to the project as a whole (Evans and
Johnson, 2013). This structure defines a transferable oriented hierarchical decomposition of the
work to be executed by the team of project.
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Gantt chart- It is developed by Henry L. Gantt in 1917 to make control on production (Fageha
and Aibinu, 2013). It refers to a bar chart which a series of horizontal lines which shows the
amount of work done or production completed in certain periods of time in relation to the
amount planned for those periods. This chart involve a horizontal axis and representing the total
time span of the project and the vertical axis representing the tasks that make up the project.
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TASK 2
P4. Small scale research by using quantitative and qualitative methods of research
In order to conduct research, the project manger of Continental Consulting limited can use
various research methods, they are as following:
Qualitative research- It is a scientific method of observation which is used by the researcher to
gather non numeric data. It is the primarily exploratory research which is used by the company to
gather an understanding of underlying reasons, opinions and motivations (Florén and
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Frishammar, 2012). In Continental Consulting limited, this method can be used by the individual
to collect information on the basis of quality which emphasis by evaluating perceptions of
people. Researcher used this method for collecting deep and intense knowledge regarding the
research topic.
Quantitative research- It refers to statistical, mathematical or numerical analysis of
information. It is the methodology which is used by the researcher in Continental Consulting
limited to collect numerical information that help the individual in taking appropriate decisions
in terms of running business activities.
Primary research- It is defined as a methodology which is used by the researchers to collect
data directly. In this research method, the researcher gather data own-self by using various
research methods such as questionnaire, interviews and others. The information which is
gathered by the person is pure and relevant to use. It is used to collect data related to a specific
issue within business organisation thorough different methods.
Secondary research- It provide information related to a particular topic which is already
research by someone. This research involves the summery, collation and synthesis of existing
research. In it, the data and information is collected by internet, social media, books and journals
and others to complete the research. It include scientific reports which already published on
internet and social media so this it consume less time cost.
Research Philosophy- It refers to a belief about the way by which data and information about a
phenomenon should be collected analysed and used. It is cast topic that is deals with the nature,
source and development of knowledge. Research philosophy include three methods such as
pragmatist, interpretive and positivist (Gido, Clements and Clements, 2014). These are the
major research philosophies which can be used by the researcher to gather information. In this
research, the individual use pragmatic research philosophy to gather information. This
philosophy is considered to be relatively new compared to other research philosophies. become
It can be a contending philosophy that can be used by the individuals and considered it as an
alternative.
Questionnaire is a research instrument which consist of a number of questions for the
purpose of gathering information from respondents. It can be a set of printed or written questions
with a choice of answers that are devised for the purpose of a survey and statistical study
(Hillson and Murray-Webster, 2017). In this research project, the researcher can use this tool and
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instrument to gather numerical and relevant data so that with the help of that the individual can
attain the research objectives. In this research method, sample size is 30 which is taken by the
researcher to gather information to collect & gather appropriate information and data.
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Q1. Do you understand the concept of social media?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2. Does social media impacts the working of business organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3. What will be the advantage of social-media to Continental Consulting limited?
a) Reduce marketing cost
b) Attract number of consumers
Q4. What kind of digital media is most beneficial for communication purpose?
a) Advertisement
b) Paid search
c)Native advertising
Q5. Which social media tool will be beneficial for Continental Consulting limited in
managing business operation?
a) Facebook
b) Twitter
c) Instagram
Q6. What are the potential benefits for a firm to invest in digital technology?
a) Improved efficiency
b) Improved decision making
c) Improved customer satisfaction
Q7. What kind of barriers can be faced by Continental Consulting limited while using
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social media?
a) Planning for training program
b) Lack of employees
Q8. How barriers due to social media can be eliminated by Continental Consulting
limited?
a) Avoid information overload
b) Proper media selection
Q9. Recommendations, do you want to suggest in context of analyse the role of digital
technology to support small business growth and innovation.
TASK 3
P5. Analysis of research and data by using appropriate tools and techniques
Theme 1
Q1. Do you understand the concept of social media? Frequency
a) Yes 18
b) No 12
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Interpretation- From the above graph, it can be concluded that among 30 respondents, 18 are
agreed that they are aware with the concept of social media where as 12 are not have information
about social media and its concept.
Theme 2
Q2. Does social media impacts the working of business
organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 19
b) No 11
10
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
18
12
Frequency

Interpretation- From the above graph, it can be analysed, among 30 respondents, 19 are
responded that social media impacts the working of business organisation where as 11 are not
agreed that social media create impacts on working style of business organisation.
Theme 3
Q3. What will be the advantage of social-media to Continental
Consulting limited?
Frequency
a) Reduce marketing cost 10
b) Attract number of consumers 20
11
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20 19
11
Frequency

Interpretation- From the above graph, it can be concluded that among 30 respondents, 20
respondents are responded that social media help in Continental Consulting limited by attracting
number of consumers. Whereas 10 are agreed that use social media is beneficial for reducing
marketing cost.
Theme 4
Q4. What kind of digital media is most beneficial for
communication purpose?
Frequency
a) Advertisement 15
b) Paid search 8
c) Native advertising 7
12
a) Reduce marketing cost b) Attract number of consumers
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
10
20
Frequency

Interpretation- From the above graph, it can be analysed that among 30 respondents, 15 are
agreed that advertisement is most beneficial for communication purpose. 8 respondents are
responded that paid search is important for communication where as 7 are agreed with native
advertising that its is beneficial for communication object.
Theme 5
Q5. Which social media tool will be beneficial for Continental
Consulting limited in managing business operation?
Frequency
a) Facebook 13
b) Twitter 10
13
a) Advertisement b) Paid search c) Native advertising
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
8
7 Frequency

c) Instagram 7
Interpretation- From the above graph, it can be concluded, among 30 respondents, 13 are
supported to Facebook that it is a social media tool which will be beneficial for Continental
Consulting limited in managing business operation. Whereas 10 respondents are agreed with
Twitter and 7 are supported to Instagram that it is an essential tool which help in managing
business operations of the company.
Theme 6
Q6. What are the potential benefits for a firm to invest in digital
technology?
Frequency
a) Improved efficiency 10
b) Improved decision making 9
c) Improved customer satisfaction 11
14
a) Facebook b) Twitter c) Instagram
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14 13
10
7
Frequency

Interpretation- From the above graph, it can be summarized that among 30 respondents, 11
respondents are responded that by using digital technology, the company can make improvement
in customer satisfaction. While 10 respondents are agreed that digital technology help in make
improvement in efficiency and 9 are responded that with the help of use of digital technology,
the company can improve the decision making.
Theme 7
Q7. What kind of barriers can be faced by Continental
Consulting limited while using social media?
Frequency
a) Planning for training program 14
b) Lack of employees 16
15
a) Improved efficiency
b) Improved decision making
c) Improved customer satisfaction
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
9
11
Frequency

Interpretation- From the above graph, it can be analysed that among 30 respondents, 16 are
supported that lack of employees can be barrier which can be faced by Continental Consulting
limited while using social media. Where as 14 respondents are responded that planning for
training program can be a barriers which can be faced by the organisation when it use social
media in its business.
Theme 8
Q8. How barriers due to social media can be eliminated by
Continental Consulting limited?
Frequency
a) Avoid information overload 13
b) Proper media selection 17
16
a) Planning for training program b) Lack of employees
13
13.5
14
14.5
15
15.5
16
14
16
Frequency

Interpretation- From the above graph, it can be analysed, among 30 respondents, 17 are
responded that proper media selection is a barrier due to social media can be eliminated by
Continental Consulting limited. While 13 respondents are agreed with avoid information
overload.
P6. Recommendations as a result of research and data analysis
By analysing the above information which is mentioned in the research project, there are
some recommendations that are provided by the researcher which is as below:
 Continental Consulting limited can use various new technologies such as Big data
Analytics, Artificial intelligence and others which help the company to attract a large
number of consumer towards their products and services that are offered by the company.
 The management department of this firm can use social media applications such as
Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Gmail, Yahoo and others as a promotional tool by which
they can provide information about it new products and services or its innovative
technologies (Hillson, 2017).
 With the help if cloud technologies, MS excel, Spreadsheet and others it can enable
effective filing, storage and sharing information.
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a) Avoid information overload b) Proper media selection
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
13
17
Frequency

 By using CRM software, the organisation make communication and interaction with its
target audience.
 In context to make increment in profit, the management department of Continental
Consulting limited can use different types of software like mobile access software,
accounting software, planning software and others (Keil, Lee and Deng, 2013).
 It can be recommended to the organisation that time tracking software is an useful tool
for mapping out for the small business. It help in analysing accountability, process
improvement and productivity.
TASK 4
P7. Reflection on the value of undertaking the research for meeting stated objectives and own
learning or performance
In this research project, I have determine different elements that affect business
organisation in enhancing their business growth. The major problem faced by me at the time of
formulating my research is to develop aims and objectives of research. I also have information
about various methods like primary, secondary, qualitative and quantitative and others which are
used in order to collect data. But I was little confused to chose the data collection method that
which is useful for me to gather information and I select primary data and qualitative method for
collect information. It also helped me to enhance the communication skill because when I was
doing survey with the help of questionnaire, I met several people who belong from different
culture and have different language. I faced problem of lack of fund and time when I was
collecting data. To gather data with the help of questionnaire incurred cost because I travelled for
the purpose of survey which consumed more time and cost (Lambert and Enz, 2012). When I
was working on this technologies I gain information about various digital technologies such as
Artificial intelligence, cloud technology, Spreadsheet and others which is beneficial for my
personal and professional growth.
CONCLUSION
From the above information, it can be conclude that digital technologies help in the
growth of every organisation in different manners. For providing information regarding the
products and services of the company, the management department of the company can use
digital media as a promotional tool. In recruitment and selection process, the HR department use
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it to provide notification regarding vacant positions. In this assignment various research
methodologies like qualitative, quantitative, primary and secondary research methods are
explained to gather and collect information or data. I select questionnaire as a data collocation
tool because, it help me in gathering correct and relevant information for my research. Project
management plan with its several aspects, recommendations and reflation is described in the
research report.
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REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Bloch, M., Blumberg, S. and Laartz, J., 2012. Delivering large-scale IT projects on time, on
budget, and on value. Harvard Business Review, pp.2-7.
Brady, T. and Davies, A., 2014. Managing structural and dynamic complexity: A tale of two
projects. Project Management Journal. 45(4). pp.21-38.
Chang, V., Walters, R. J. and Wills, G., 2013. The development that leads to the Cloud
Computing Business Framework. International Journal of Information Management.
33(3). pp.524-538.
Cheung, E., Chan, A. P. and Kajewski, S., 2012. Factors contributing to successful public private
partnership projects: Comparing Hong Kong with Australia and the United Kingdom.
Journal of Facilities Management. 10(1). pp.45-58.
Doherty, N. F., Ashurst, C. and Peppard, J., 2012. Factors affecting the successful realisation of
benefits from systems development projects: findings from three case studies. Journal
of Information Technology. 27(1). pp.1-16.
Dutta, D. and Bose, I., 2015. Managing a big data project: the case of ramco cements limited.
International Journal of Production Economics. 165. pp.293-306.
Evans, J. D. and Johnson, R. O., 2013. Tools for managing early-stage business model
innovation. Research-Technology Management. 56(5). pp.52-56.
Fageha, M. K. and Aibinu, A. A., 2013. Managing project scope definition to improve
stakeholders’ participation and enhance project outcome. Procedia-Social and
Behavioral Sciences. 74. pp.154-164.
Florén, H. and Frishammar, J., 2012. From preliminary ideas to corroborated product definitions:
Managing the front end of new product development. California Management Review.
54(4). pp.20-43.
Gido, J., Clements, J. and Clements, J., 2014. Successful project management. Nelson Education.
Hillson, D. and Murray-Webster, R., 2017. Understanding and managing risk attitude.
Routledge.
Hillson, D., 2017. Managing risk in projects. Routledge.
Keil, M., Lee, H. K. and Deng, T., 2013. Understanding the most critical skills for managing IT
projects: A Delphi study of IT project managers. Information & management. 50(7).
pp.398-414.
Lambert, D. M. and Enz, M. G., 2012. Managing and measuring value co-creation in business-
to-business relationships. Journal of Marketing Management, 28(13-14), pp.1588-1625.
Larson, D. and Chang, V., 2016. A review and future direction of agile, business intelligence,
analytics and data science. International Journal of Information Management. 36(5).
pp.700-710.
Pryke, S. and Smyth, H., 2012. The management of complex projects: A relationship approach.
John Wiley & Sons.
Sparrow, E., 2012. Successful IT outsourcing: from choosing a provider to managing the
project. Springer Science & Business Media.
Thamhain, H., 2013. Managing risks in complex projects. Project management journal. 44(2).
pp.20-35.
Online
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Digital Technology. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://www.dictionary.com/browse/digital-technology>.
APPENDIX
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Project Logbook
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: Date:
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved
 What have you completed?
 Did you fulfil Task requirements?
 Are you on track and within deadlines set?
 Did you need to make any changes to your
project management plan?
Comments
I have completed a research project of
identifying the Impact of digital-
technology which supporting small
business growth and innovation.
Yes
Yes
No
Any risks and / or issues identified?
 Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of
skills required for undertaking research
tasks?
 Did you identify any additional risks/issues
that have an impact on the project
management plan?
I have face some issues that are related
to communication, find and time when I
was executing project activities.
No
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Problems encountered
 What barriers did you face?
 How did you overcome them?
Lack of fund and lack of time are the
barriers that are facing by me.
By using my management skills and
taking support of friends I easily
overcome these issues.
New Ideas and change of project direction Yes
What Have I learnt about myself this week?
 How did I feel when I had to deal with
tasks/problems?
 Did I find it useful to complete the tasks?
 How well have I performed? What did I
contribute?
 What can I improve on next week?
 How might this learning apply in the
future?
When I start to do work on this project, I
thought it is difficult fro me but later I
have managed my responsibilities
towards project activities.
Yes, I covered my project activities in
given period of time frames.
I have performed in good manners on all
project activities so that a valid
conclusion was formulated before the
time period.
By conducting activities of the project in
efficient manner.
It will help me in enhancing my working
capabilities and skills.
Tasks planned for next week
 Which tasks are priority?
To get views and opinions of the
respondents are the main priority.
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 Have you set aside sufficient time for
completion?
I have prepared a proper time
framework for my work so that effective
result will be received in near future.
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and date:
Template for Performance Review to be attached with the report by the learner:
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What was the Project supposed to accomplish?Impact of digital technology supporting small
business growth and innovation
1. Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please outline any
evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes, I have achieved all the aims and objectives of this by taking views and opinions of
respondents.
2. What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the project (e.g
initial inception, project activities and project outcomes) from a range of perspectives.
All the activities of research project are effectively formulated in an effective and most
desirable manner.
3. What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was there
timely identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
Lack of time and fund are the problems that are faced by me which create restriction form n
me to complete the research. But to overcome of these issues, I used my management skills
and take support from friends.
4. What did you learn from undertaking the project?
To execute various activities of project in effective manner.
5. How would you rate your performance as a management consultant leading the
project?
I will rate my performance 9.5 out of 10.
6. What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
My management skill, problem solving and research skill have supported me in
effective manner to face and solve problem s and barriers. My communication skill is
weak so cause of this, I faced some challenges when I was gather information with the
help of questionnaire.
7. How will this inform and support your continuous professional development ?
I make improvement in my communication skill and with the help of it, I will better conduct
future programmes
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