Managing a Successful Business Project: Cope up with Digital Disruption and Transformation: A Case Study of ALDI

This research project examines how ALDI, a leading retailer, has successfully implemented digital technology to enhance its business operations. The study analyzes the impact of digital technology on various departments, including sales and marketing, inventory control, and product quality control. Through interviews with ALDI managers and employees, as well as a survey of ALDI customers, the research explores the benefits and challenges of digital transformation. The findings highlight the significant role of digital technology in improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing customer satisfaction. The research concludes with recommendations for ALDI to further leverage digital technology to maintain its competitive edge in the evolving retail landscape.

MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PROJECT

Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................... 3
LO 1............................................................................................................................................. 4
P1 Devise project aims and objectives for the chosen scenario................................................4
P2 Produce a project management plan that covers the aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk and resources..........................................................................................5
P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes and stages
of completion............................................................................................................................ 6
M1 Produce a comprehensive project management plan, milestone schedule and project
schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project.......................8
LO2............................................................................................................................................ 11
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives..............................................................11
M2 Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of different research methods applied.....................15
D1 Critically evaluate the project management process and appropriate research
methodologies applied........................................................................................................... 16
LO3............................................................................................................................................ 17
P5 Analyze 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..................................................................................18
LO4............................................................................................................................................ 20
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own
learning and performance......................................................................................................20
M4 Evaluate the value of the project management process to meet the stated objectives and
support own learning and performance..................................................................................21
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
D2 Critically evaluate and reflect on the project outcomes, the decision- making process and
changes or developments of the initial project management plan to support justification of
recommendations and learning during the project..................................................................22
Performance review...................................................................................................................... 23
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................. 25
References................................................................................................................................... 26
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
Introduction
Digital technology has made an impressive change in the business activities and thus many
business sectors have been amazingly improved in terms of business performance. Digital
technology has changed the business sector in terms of innovation. It made different kinds of
activities including marketing, inventory management, production procedure and other
operational activities easier to execute. The entrepreneurs have been able to gain more profit
with the sophisticated digital platform. The new procedures that are being applied to perform
business activities are completely based on digital technology in this recent era. Digital
technology has also helped the enterprises to reduce operational cost providing with efficient
process at comparatively lower cost than the labor cost. Here, in this study ALDI, a retailer has
been taken to analyse how it has been able to become more successful with taking help of digital
technology which has replaced its traditional procedure of doing business.
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
LO 1
P1 Devise project aims and objectives for the chosen scenario
Aim
The aim of the study is to analyse how ALDI has implemented digital technology in its business
activities
Objective
● To analyse the impact of digital technology in sales and marketing department of ALDI
● To evaluate the role of digital technology in inventory control in ALDI
● To analyse the implementation of digital technology in product quality control in ALDI
● To recommend more advanced operational strategies to make ALDI more successful
Project strategy
The project has included the departments of inventory control, sales and marketing and product
quality control of ALDI.
Performance, cost and time objective
The researcher will take interviews of the managers of ALDI to understand the level of digital
technology implemented. The cost to complete the project is £600 and the defined time is 7
weeks.
Project scope statement
● Included scope- The project has included the departments of logistics, sales and
marketing and inventory control departments to analyse the usage of digital technology in
performing business activities
● Excluded scope- The research has not included the role of technology in the production
department as the chosen company is not a production company
Project assumptions
● The researcher has been provided adequate resources
● The respondents of the interviews and the surveys have responded to their best known
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
P2 Produce a project management plan that covers the aspects of cost, scope,
time, quality, communication, risk and resources.
A project development process consists of the following stages.
Planning- According to Loebbecke and Picot (2015, p.150), a plan is produced to have a
direction and expected outcomes so that the whole research can go to the right direction.
Execution- The planned activities must be implemented properly so that the predefined activities
can get completed successfully.
Monitoring- After execution, the activities must be monitored so that any dispute in the working
procedure can be identified.
Control- As opined by Holmlund et al. (2017, p.230), the identified issues must be regulated so
that the process can move forward smoothly and the management must be ready to replace the
existing strategy with new one.
The following factors are to be considered to conduct a research.
Cost- The estimated cost of the research is £600 to collect the potential resources.
Scope- The research will help the managers of ALDI to take proper strategies in those sectors.
Time- The researcher needs 7 weeks to complete the research
Quality-The research will be evaluated based on the authentic views of the professionals of the
company
Communication- The research paper will be communicated to the managers of the company
both in the form of hardcopy and softcopy.
Risks- The whole process may face some risks including unwillingness among the employees to
get habituated with new advanced technology
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes
and stages of completion.
Work breakdown structure
Level Activities Description Time period
High Setting aim and
objectives
The research aim and
objectives must be
made so that the
research can follow a
particular direction.
Week 1
High Identifying
appropriate data
collection methods
Appropriate data
collection methods are
to be selected so that
accurate information
can be collected
Week 1
Medium Data analysis Data must be analysed
so that the researcher
can reach to the
expected outcomes
Week 2-week 3
High Developing findings The researcher needs
to draw some finding
out of the collected
information
Week 4-week 5
Medium Coming to a
Conclusion
The researcher has to
come to a valid
conclusion
Week 6
Medium Preparing
documentation
The research must be
documented
Week 7
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
Gantt chart
Activities Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7
Define aim
and
objectives

Identify
data
collection
methods

Data
analysis
 
Findings  
Conclusio
n

Project
report
documenta
tion

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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
M1 Produce a comprehensive project management plan, milestone schedule and
project schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the
project.
Project management plan
Wee
k no
date update Risk
identificati
on
impact Effect on
project
Risk
reduction
actions
The task
for the next
week
1 2-4-
201
8
Developing
aim and
objective
Upgrading
technology
High Not
efficient
traditional
technology
Developin
g advanced
technology
Technology
evaluation
1 2-4-
201
8
Identifying
appropriate
data
collection
method
Not reliable
information
High Incorrect
conclusion
Taking
help of
different
research
methods
Analysing
data
2 to
3
9-4-
201
8
Data analysis Insufficient
and
incapable
questions
may be
developed
Mediu
m
Inconsistent
research
outcomes
Only the
experience
d
respondent
s are
selected
Data
findings
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
4 to
5
30-
4-
201
8
Findings Inappropriat
e findings
high Inconsistent
research
outcomes
Proper
observatio
n is needed
Make
conclusion
6 -8-
5-
201
8
Reaching to a
conclusion
Improper
conclusion
Mediu
m
Inconsistent
and
improper
research
Taking
support of
proper
concepts
Preparing
documentati
on
10 to
12
18-
3-
201
8
Preparing
project
documentatio
n
Not
following
the
appropriate
specification
High No
evidence of
the project
Proper
style is
followed
Submit the
report
Milestone
Activities Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7
Developin
g aim and
objectives
Milestone
1
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
Identifyin
g data
collection
methods
Milestone
2
Data
analysis
Milestone 3
Findings Milestone 4
Conclusio
n
Milestone
5
Project
document
ation
Milestone
6
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
LO2
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative
research methods appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives.
The researcher has conducted both the qualitative (interview) and quantitative (survey) research
techniques to collect information. The qualitative research method will lead the researcher to get
authentic information from the professionals where the researcher will get the views from the
consumers who are the purpose of doing business with the help of survey (Susskind and
Susskind (2015, p.78). The researcher has chosen 50 customers of ALDI for survey.
Interview questionnaire for ALDI managers
Questions Logistic manager Inventory manager Quality controlling
manager
How digital
technology has made
you flexible in your
activities?
The manager added
that electronic
document and digital
signature has made
the logistic activities
easier than previous
days (aldi.us, 2018).
The manager said that
the inventory
controlling software
has led the activities
more flexible and
time effective. With
the help of that kind
of software they
easily can manage the
inventory within a
very short period of
time.
The manager also
agreed with the two
managers and said
that with the help of
quality checking
software, they have
been able to assure
the product quality
without investing
much time (aldi.us,
2018).
Are you preferring
digital trend than
conventional one?
The manager has
showed a positive
attitude toward the
asked question that
they feel more
comfortable and
flexible in the digital
platform that the
conventional
procedure (aldi.us,
The manager also
said that they had to
spend much more
time to manually
manage the inventory
whereas, they can
now efficiently
manage product
inventory even within
very short span of
The quality
controlling manager
said that they have
been able to reduce
labor cost that used to
be allocated in the
traditional process to
check the products
manually with the
help of quality
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
2018) time. checking software
(aldi.us, 2018).
Interview questionnaire for ALDI employees
Questions Employee 1 Employee 2 Employee 3
Can you perform your
activities faster in the
digital working
platform?
The employee has
said that he can
perform his activities
more efficiently and
more accurately with
the help of different
software (aldi.us,
2018)
The employee has
also said that he is
more comfortable in
doing activities with
taking of high-tech
software and tools
The third employee
has said that he can
perform all his
activities faster
(aldi.us, 2018)
Does company
support you to learn
new technology?
The employee has
showed a positive
attitude toward the
asked question that
they get
encouragement from
the management to
learn new technology
to improve their
performance (aldi.us,
2018)
The second employee
said the same thing
The third employee
also gave the same
response
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
Survey questions
Question 1: Do you always use mobile application to place order?
Options Total number of
respondents
Number of response Percentage of
response (%)
Strongly agreed
50
5 10
Agreed 30 60
Neutral 10 20
Denied 5 10
Strongly denied 0 0
Strongly
agreed
59%
Agreed
23%
Neutral
10%
Denied
9%
Do you always use mobile
application to place order?
Question 2: Can you get faster response if you send your query through email?
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
Options Total number of
respondents
Number of response Percentage of
response (%)
Strongly agreed 50 7 14
Agreed 28 56
Neutral 11 22
Denied 4 8
Strongly denied 0 0
Strongly
agreed
59%
Agreed
23%
Neutral
10%
Denied
9%
Can you get faster response if
you send your query through
email?
Question 3: Are you satisfied with getting online service from the company?
Options Total number of Number of response Percentage of
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
respondents response (%)
Strongly agreed 50 5 10
Agreed 31 62
Neutral 9 18
Denied 5 10
Strongly denied 0 0
Strongly
agreed
59%Agreed
23%
Neutral
10%
Denied
9%
Are you satisfied with getting
online service from the
company?
Question 4: Do you participate in the feedback procedure on online platform?
Options Total number of
respondents
Number of response Percentage of
response (%)
Strongly agreed 4 8
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
50Agreed 33 66
Neutral 10 20
Denied 3 6
Strongly denied 0 0
Strongly
agreed
59%
Agreed
23%
Neutral
10%
Denied
9%
Do you participate in the
feedback procedure on
online platform?
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
M2 Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of different research methods applied.
The research is reliable as information has been provided by the organisational people (Burns,
2016, p.90). They have shared their views as per their experience. The researcher has selected
only the experienced professionals. The researcher has also selected an adequate number of
consumers so that the researcher can get at least a proper idea about their satisfaction level.
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
D1 Critically evaluate the project management process and appropriate research
methodologies applied.
The research methods are appropriate for this particular research project as authentic information
has been gathered with the help of interview and survey. Though the researcher has experienced
confusion to take decision based on the survey, the genuine information from the professionals
has led the researcher to reach to the expected conclusion (Matt et al. 2015, p.340)
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
LO3
P5 Analyze research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.
From the interview response from the different managers of ALDI, it can be said that they are
preferring the digital trend than the conventional one. The management is more flexible to work
on the digital platform in ALDI. The working procedure in ALDI has been smoother with the
help of digital technology. The pivotal departments like logistics, quality management and
inventory management are highly impacted with the digital effects. The operational procedure
has become much more improved in the recent days in digital platform than the traditional one.
The managers perform all the activities like collecting feedback from the consumers, taking
orders and product checking with the help of digital technology. The employees are also
comfortable in managing their activities in digital platform. The employees share their task
electronically when they work as a team. The employees also can finish their activities faster in
the current working procedure whereas, they had to invest much more time in the traditional
procedure for the same type of work and same amount of work. The employees also get
motivation from the management to learn new approaches and process related with technology
so that they can improve their performance. The company is improving more and making
innovation in the working procedure only with the help of digital technology. The company has
been able to focus on innovation after implementing digital technology in its business activities.
From the survey it can be said that maximum customers of ALDI are willing and satisfied to use
mobile applications to place order. They are satisfied as they do not have to be present in the
store to place order. The consumers get more satisfaction in the digital technology platform.
Almost 35% consumers get faster response of their queries on online platform. Approximately
37% customers participate in the online feedback process. Most of the customers are accustomed
to the online services of the company and they prefer online ordering then shopping with being
present in the store. The consumers also feel comfortable to give feedback on the online platform
and they actively participate in the feedback procedure of the company. The company is
providing the high-tech facilities to the customers to make them comfortable in taking service
through online platform. The management interacts with the consumers via email and the both
parties feel it easier to communicate rather than phone calling. The consumers can send their
queries or any kind of request through email system when they are comfortable and have free
time whereas, they would get disturbed if they had to attend the phone call. The consumers are
having more satisfactory service from the company as the company has been able to
communicate with them in a more sophisticated way through digital technology platform.
Moreover, the consumers get faster and more accurate service as the company is able to provide
more effective service to the consumers taking help of digital technology.
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data
analysis to draw valid and meaningful conclusions
The company needs the following recommendations to have more accuracy in the service:
● The company needs to encourage its employees to learn new technology to make their
performance improved.
● The company also needs to focus more on the promotional strategy on the social media
platform as social media is the most popular marketing promotional tool.
● The company also can use more advanced software to manage its operational activities
● The organisation also needs to incorporate more advanced security to protect consumers’
details in its database. As opined by Hess et al. (2016, p.70), it is the responsibility of any
organisation to keep the customers’ details confidential and not to share that sensitive
information with any other party
● The company needs to engage both its employees and consumers in the decision making
procedure
● The company needs to offer some extra benefits to the consumers who are still not eager
to use online service taking procedure. To promote the technical service procedure, the
organisation needs to promote the advanced service process among all its customers.
● The company also needs to train its employees properly so that they can efficiently
operate the advanced tools and software to perform their activities more efficiently.
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
M3 Evaluate the selection of appropriate tools and techniques for accuracy and
authenticity to support and justify recommendations
Both the data collection tools of the primary research method are effective enough as they have
led the researcher to collect authentic information from the professional and the employees of the
company. As opined by Weichhart et al. (2016, p.40), the authentic information and views have
made the researcher understand the real scenario and enabled the researcher to make effective
recommendations and reach to the expected outcomes. The quantitative data collection tool of
the primary data collection method has made it easier to gather information from the consumers
whose perspective is most important aspect to ensure the successful survival of any company.
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
LO4
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and
own learning and performance
Linking with objective 1: Most of the customers of ALDI, have to know about the available
product by online advertisement. From the company perspective, in one side it minimizes the
marketing cost, other side the marketing span spreads as its own, evaluating which was the first
objective of the research.
Linking with objective 2: To cope up with the growing demand of the retail market, more
products have to be stored in the inventory and released as per the requirements, which has now
been replaced by intelligent robotics system; meets the second objective.
Linking with objective 3: Going with the outcome of the survey and interview section, it can be
viewed that, the retail sector has contextualized their product quality to a little bit higher, which
is possible with the inclusion of digital technology like cross browser platform; linked with third
objective
Linking with objective 4: Sustainability will then only be possible if ALDI can cope up itself
with the dynamicity of technology and produce a well schedule for change management. It has
already made several changes in not only the marketing operation, but also in the executive
operation also, as evidenced from the research; linked with last objective.
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
M4 Evaluate the value of the project management process to meet the stated
objectives and support own learning and performance.
The project management process will guide the organisation to incorporate more advanced
operational strategies that will be more beneficial for the organisation. The project management
process will help the company to have more success and reputation with implementing modern
technologies to execute its business activities. The organisation will have the opportunity to find
out its loopholes in its operations and it will be able to replace the existing technology with more
updated ones so that it can gain more success. The project management process will lead the
company to survive in the competitive market. With the modification of the existing technical
strategies, it will be able to perform the business activities more efficiently.
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
D2 Critically evaluate and reflect on the project outcomes, the decision- making
process and changes or developments of the initial project management plan to
support justification of recommendations and learning during the project.
The project management plan is a very important aspect as it guides to to carry the project in a
specified way. The project development plan leads any organisation to have less risk in
executing the project after starting the development process (Iñigo and Albareda, 2016, p.15).
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
Performance review
1. What was the project supposed to accomplish?
The project was supposed to analyse the major challenges in technology transformation
and disruption and the coping strategy of the businesses. The researcher has set the
objectives as per the aim
2. Did the project succeed in its aims/how do you know? Specifically, please outline
any evaluation and assessment undertaken.
The researcher has maintained the specified time period and systematic way to conduct
the research. The research has been evaluated based on the interview and the survey.
3. 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.
The researcher has conducted the research in a well defined manner and effectively. The
researcher has utilized the available sources and maintained a proper time frame. The
researcher has maintained the reliability aspect throughout the research.
4. What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was
there timely identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
The researcher faced a problem to have adequate resources to conduct the research. This
problem was identified at the initial days and then some resources were added.
5. What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I have learnt how to manage time effectively. I have also gained knowledge regarding
proper resource utilization the proper communication method with the professionals
through the research
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
6. How would you rate your performance as a management consultant leading the
project?
My performance will be considered as a good performance if the organisation can
improve its performance implementing the recommended strategies in this research.
7. What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
The strength was that I made a same type project previously and thus I had a clear
understanding how to undertake this kind of research. The weakness was I had inadequate
resources initially.
8. How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
The concept will help me to update knowledge in this discipline and I will develop
interest to know about this topic to a greater extent.
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
Conclusion
It can be concluded that ALDI is doing better having more advanced technology in its business
operations. It has been able to reduce its operational cost with the help of digital technology. All
the business activities have been made easier in the digital technology platform. The company
has been able to satisfy its customers more as it has been able to provide more offers to the
customers as a result of cost reduction in the operational process.
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Cope up with digital disruption and transformation: A case study of ALDI
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