Managing a Successful Business Project: A Case Study of Marks and Spencer

Managing a Successful Business Project
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Table of Contents
Introduction...................................................................................................................... 3
LO1.................................................................................................................................. 4
Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario [P1].......................................4
Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk, and resources [P2].........................................................................4
Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes and
stages for completion [P3]................................................................................................8
LO2................................................................................................................................ 12
Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research
methods appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives. [P4]...............................12
LO3................................................................................................................................ 17
Analyze research and data using appropriate tools and techniques [P5].......................17
Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data analysis
to draw valid and meaningful conclusions [P6]..............................................................27
LO4................................................................................................................................ 28
Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own
learning and performance [P7].......................................................................................28
Conclusion..................................................................................................................... 30
Reference.......................................................................................................................31
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Introduction
In the present scenario, the competition in the world market is growing exponentially at
a rapid rate. This exponential growth of competition is pressurizing the business
organizations to adapt digital technologies. The organizations must implement digital
technologies to improve the operations carried out. Incorporation of digital technologies
helps the companies to sustain in the market full of competition as well as gain
competitive edge over the rivals. In the previous few years, it has been seen that there
has been huge evolution in the operations of business organizations with the integration
of digital technologies. It gives the companies to spot out the area of improvements and
credible opportunities. In this assignment, the case study of Marks and Spencer has
been used to analyze the growing dependency and implication of digital technologies on
the operations of the business houses.
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LO1
Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario [P1]
Aim of the project:
The aim of the project is to assess the implication of digital technologies on the
business operations of Marks and Spencer
Objectives of the project:
 To inspect the different types of digital technologies used by Marks and Spencer
 To identify and assess the implications of digital technologies on the business
operations of Marks and Spencer
 To spot out the challenges and opportunities associated with the rapid
technological advancement
 To give appropriate recommendations in order to curb the issues identified
Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time,
quality, communication, risk, and resources [P2]
Activities Time (in hour) Cost per hour ($) Overall cost ($)
Onsite surveys
with the
employees of
Marks and
Spencer
120 20 2400
Surveys carried
out through
conferences and
emails
100 25 2500
Carrying out face-
to-face interviews
or personal
interviews with
the managers of
Marks and
Spencer
48 40 1920
Surveys
conducted
through phone
calls
240 25 6000
Sum Total 508 110 12820
Table 1: aspects of time and cost for carrying out the project
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The above table illustrates the total cost and time taken for accumulating data via
surveys and interviews. The activities performed by the researcher are carrying onsite
survey with the employees of Marks and Spencer, surveys through emails and
conferences, and phone calls. The researcher also conducted interview with two
managers of Marks and Spencer to gather their view and opinion on the implication of
digital technologies on the business operations. The surveys were conducted in order to
collect data for carrying out the business project in an effective manner. Conducting the
surveys helped the researcher to gain ideas regarding the implication of digital
technologies within companies.
Scope of the project management plan:
Scope of the project management plan usually portrays the possible chances and
opportunities of the business plan that may be fruitful for the business corporations. The
scope of plan focuses on disclosing the pragmatic facets regarding the influence caused
by digital technologies on the activities of the organizations. It also displays the probable
chances of an organization in the future. Scope of the project management plan can be
classified into two categories namely included scope and excluded scope.
Included Scope:
The scope included within the business plan is called the included scope. Included
scope assists the researcher to recognize and assess the implication of digital
technologies and the influence of it on the business operations. Included scope portrays
how integration of digital technologies will shape the workforce in the future. It will also
display the way in which business organizations can sustain in the market full of
competition and gain competitive edge in the market with the help of digital
technologies.
Excluded Scope:
Excluded scope is the scope that is not mentioned in the project management plan. The
excluded scope also reflects the chances of an organization in the future. It is quite
similar to included scope but it focuses on the possible opportunities that the
organizations has in the external environment of the business. Excluded scope assists
the researcher to recognize the scope in marketplace about the impact digital
technologies has on the rival companies. The feedbacks received by the organization
from its consumers are categorized under excluded scope.
Quality Management:
The quality of the project management plan is determined through the responses
gathered and documented. It is highly significant for the researcher to maintain the
quality of the business plan. The researcher must make sure that the project plan is
acceptable and the outcomes of the project are relatable to the current scenario in the
market (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). The researcher has ensured that the surveys
conducted must not be among limited number of audience. Since the research is on
business plan, it should give quality to learners and preserve the entire project within
the stipulated timeframe. Furthermore, the researcher while carrying out the project plan
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made sure to frame the questionnaires properly for the employees of Marks and
Spencer providing them with appropriate options. The researcher to ensure appropriate
responses had provided the options.
Communication:
The communication of the project is based on the responses and the data accumulated
by the researcher through conducting surveys and interviews. The procedure of
communication comprises of well-structured questionnaires for the survey, mailing the
employees in order to acquire their opinions regarding the project plan. The researcher
also conducted personal interview with two managers of Marks and Spencer in order to
gather proper information regarding the technologies used within the company and the
impact it has on the business operations. This has been done to uphold the
communication and ensure it is effective and understandable.
Risk Management:
Weeks
Number
Recognize
d Dates
Recognition of risks
and tribulations faced
Influence Consequences on
the project
1 1.06.18 Difficulties of
communication
among the
employees of the
organization
Average The time and cost
necessary for
carrying out the
business project got
increased due to
communication
difficulties
2 12.06.18 Issues regarding the
accessibility of
information
High The Information
Protection Act
constrained to get in
touch with
numerous
information of the
company.
4 30.06.18 Technological break
down and risk of data
loss
Low The development of
the research got
limited because of
loss of data and
information
collected and some
failures in
technology
Table 2: risk management
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