Managing a Successful Business Project: Impacts of Digital Technology on Business

Managing a successful business project
Impacts of digital technology on business
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Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Part 1: Project Management Plan....................................................................................................5
P1). Devise project aims and objectives for the chosen scenario................................................5
P2). Produce a project management plan incorporating: costs, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk and resources..............................................................................................6
P3: Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes and stages
for completion..............................................................................................................................8
M1 Produce a comprehensive project management plan with clearly planned milestones
milestone and a schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the
project........................................................................................................................................12
Part 2: Project Log Book..............................................................................................................13
P4: Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives.................................................................13
M2 Accuracy and reliability of different research methods......................................................14
D1: critically evaluate the project management process and appropriate research
methodologies applied...............................................................................................................15
Part 3: Performance Review..........................................................................................................16
P5: Analyse your research and data using appropriate tools and techniques............................16
P6: Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data analysis to
draw valid and meaningful conclusions....................................................................................23
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P7: Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own
learning and performance..........................................................................................................24
M3: Evaluate the selection of appropriate tools and techniques for accuracy and authenticity to
support and justify recommendations........................................................................................25
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.....................................................................26
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................27
References......................................................................................................................................28
Appendices....................................................................................................................................29
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Introduction
It is inevitable that technology plays great and influencing role in the modern times in both
personal lives as well as business environment. The continuous role of technology in the
business sector causes a tremendous growth and progress and makes it easy for the business
enterprises and corporations to operate efficiently and effectively. Digital technology is one such
technology that deals with the creation of the digital and computerised services in a better way
than before. It has immensely transformed the working styles of the enterprises and offer insight
for the development of the organization. The present study revolves around the impact of digital
technology on the business in ASDA, a retail organization in the UK planning to implement
digital technology in its business operations. For the purpose, the study is segmented into three
parts; project management plan, project logbook, and performance review. There will be a
critical investigation of the subject through conducting a skilled research on it and outcomes will
be recorded to reach a sound decision.
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Part 1: Project Management Plan
P1). Devise project aims and objectives for the chosen scenario.
Project Definition: A project is a collaborative or individual venture which aims towards a
particular objective or aim and involves developing strategies and plans for accomplishing such
aims/ objectives. With the help of project management, the operations can be scheduled properly
and the resources are allocated accordingly. Completion of the project effectively includes
various stages like a collection of information and data, planning, networking, etc.
Project Statement: This is a statement which defines the aims or targets of the project and the
area under which it will be implemented. As per the study of the project, the project statement of
this project is “Impact of Digital Technology for the operations of the company” (Kerzner,
2013).
Project Strategy: Under this, on the basis of information gathered, plans are made by the project
managers. These plans are required to be followed for accomplishing the desired goals and
completing the project effectively and efficiently.
Aims and objectives of the Project:
 To implement or adopt digital technology for the enhancement of business i.e. ASDA
Stores Limited.
 The positive impact of adoption of digital technology on the operations of the company.
 To reduce the wastage of reduces and making sure that resources are used to full
capacity.
 The negative impact of implementation of digital technology on the different departments
of the company.
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P2). Produce a project management plan incorporating: costs, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk and resources.
The plan for project management of ASDA Stores Limited is:
Aspects Description
Cost This means the funds required for completing the project. It can also be
said that it means the cost which will be incurred during the project. This
includes expenses sustain for managing the resources i.e. Human, Financial
and Physical Resources. The cost of the project of ASDA Stores Limited
will be approximately $ 10 million as it is a multinational company and
digital technology is to be adopted in every nation.
Scope The scope of digital technology is extensive. It is known that organisation
operating worldwide make use of various tools and techniques for
expanding the business, increasing profit and reducing the cost of
production. This helps in achieving organisational goals (Goedknegt,
2012).
Time This means the duration of the project i.e. the time period required for
completing the project. Taking the size of ASDA Stores Limited into
consideration, this project will be completed in 4-6 months covering all the
stores of the company in the different nation.
Quality This means the result or outcome of the project as per expectation. The
quality of the project must be in accordance with the developed plans.
Better the quality, lower the expenses.
Communication Communication is the main key to managing the project. The aims and
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plans made by the management of ASDA Stores Limited are required to be
communicated to the manager and staff members of all the department
(Wysocki, 2011).
Risk There is various risk known and unknown involved in the project. Safety
plans are to be developed to eliminate the impact of risk on the project
(Horwath, 2012).
Resources Managing the resources is an essential part of the project as these are to be
allocated in accordance with the requirement of the task under this project.
Management of ASDA Stores Limited makes sure that the wastage of
resources is eliminated from the operations of the company.
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P3: Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes and
stages for completion
Work break down a structure
WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE (WBS) It a project management structure is used in the
projects in order to break down the activities of the projects into smaller accounts. The method
is used for the simplification of the project for the management of the unmanageable chunks.
The activities of the project have been segmented into various tasks which are presented in the form of
below work break down the structure.
WB
S ID LEVEL NAME OF
ELEMENT WORK DESCRIPTION BUDGE
T $
RESOURC
ES
DELIVERAB
LE
1.
2.
Marketing
Research
Selection of
the research
project
Collection of
data and
information
In The First Stage,
The Research
Project Will Be
Selected
After The Selection
Of The Project
Data Will Be
Collected From
Different Sources
$45
$70
Marketin
g
resources
Human
resources,
questionn
aire
A research
plan with
the clear
definition
of the aims
and
objectives
to be
accomplish
ed
Accurate
and reliable
data will be
collected
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