Managing a Successful Business Project: A Case Study of Mark & Spencer's Digital Transformation

Unit 6
Managing a successful business project

Contents
Introduction....................................................................................................................................4
Task 1.............................................................................................................................................5
P1 Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario:.........................................5
P2 Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time,
quality, communication, risk and resources in the context of digital technology at
M&S:............................................................................................................................................7
P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide a time frame and Stages
of completion of the proposed project management plan............................................................9
M1 Produce a comprehensive project management plan, milestone schedule, and
project...................................................................................................................................12
Schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project at
M&S:......................................................................................................................................12
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research
methods appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives........................................13
M2 Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the different research methods you have
applied to your project........................................................................................................15
D1 Critically evaluates the project management process and appropriate research
methodologies applied.......................................................................................................16
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................17
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques........................17
P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data
analysis to draw valid and meaningful conclusions...........................................................20

M3 Evaluate the selection of appropriate tools and techniques for accuracy and
authenticity to support and justify recommendations....................................................21
D2 Critically evaluate and reflect on the project outcomes, the decision making
process and changes or developments in the initial project management plan to
support justification of recommendations and learning during the project....................23
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and
own learning and performance.............................................................................................24
M4 Evaluate the value of the project management process and use of qualitative
research to meet stated objectives and support own learning and performance.........26
Conclusion....................................................................................................................................27
References...................................................................................................................................28

Introduction
The organization Mark & Spencer explores digital edge transform processes, business
models, and the customer experience by exploiting the comprehensive digital
connections between systems, people, places, and things. Any company large or small
can use this digital technology to create a winning edge for its business and perhaps, its
industry. The report will discuss the aspects of cost, scope, risk, and resources under
the framework of digital technology. The report will also determine the most decent form
of organizational structure, plans, and procedures so that project plan can be proficient
successfully. Furthermore, it will cover the project schedule and research work for
appropriate monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project
management plan under M&S digital technology programme. The report will explain
qualitative and quantitative research methods for meeting the desired results. Moreover,
the next task will produce the project outcomes and project management processes,
and the major changes or developments of the initial project management plans.

Task 1
P1 Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario:
The foremost objective of conducting a research work is the clear understanding of the
problem and its proposed solutions.
Research Topic: Role and impact of technology in the transformation of business
practices and activities.
Background of the company
Mark &Spencer is a UK based company formed in 1884. It is a public limited company
and most of its operations are managed by the government only (Martinelli & Milosevic,
2016). The founders were Sir Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer. It is the key player
in the British retail industry. With the passage of time and regular tear and dear, now the
company is looking for the advancement in its operations and core business activities
(Cameron & Green, 2015).
(Figure: 1 M&S)
(Source: My customer, 2016)
Area of concern or the problem statement
As the company is looking for the updation in technology, it is trying for the effective
implementation of technology in the organization and spread a positive word of mouth
and aware and educate employees about the advancement of technology in the
company (Cameron & Green, 2015).
Proposed project strategy
To deal with the above-mentioned problem that is effective technological
implementation and employees aware, an in-depth research project would be carried
on. For this purpose, a systematic step by step analysis would be carried on with
diverse data collected from different sources.

Objectives of the study
Digital business helps in analyzing the various uses of technology and profit being
earned by the organization M&S (Nylen, 2015). It helps in creating new values related to
the satisfaction of the customers, capabilities of the organization and business models
being used in the organization.
Over the course of the project, tools and systems are being designed to meet the
objectives;
 Increase ease of use and utility of digital services and platforms that support
periodic participation in the M&S community.
 Build an adhesive digital ecosystem that defines M&S’s use of web and social
technologies. The ecosystem should reflect M&S’s traits of open collaboration.
 Create a new platform to move on different and diversified operations, and take
control of proper online store to expand the E-commerce arena.
 Start dealing operations with a new mindset along with the hiring of experts and
putting them on the board directly ensuring a consistent customer experience.
 Establish the organization structure to fully realize the digital vision.
 Place a distribution channel to bring orders from a variety of depots around the
world, and invest in an efficient distribution network.
The aim of the study
The aim of the study is to analyze the role and responsibility of the technology and is
used in business operations and activities.