Managing a Successful Businesses Project

This project examines the impact of digital disruption and transformation on retail businesses, focusing on Marks and Spencer. It analyzes the challenges posed by social media and examines strategies for coping with these challenges. The project includes a project management plan, Gantt chart, critical path analysis, and qualitative research findings.

Managing a Successful
Businesses Project

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Project aims and Objectives for selected scenario 300.....................................................1
P2 Project management Plan .................................................................................................2
P3 Work Break down structure and Gantt chart to provide time frames. .............................4
Gantt chart..............................................................................................................................5
Network Digram showing critical path..................................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Small scale research through application of qualitative and quantitative research methods. 6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5 Analysis of research and data using appropriate tools and techniques. 700.....................8
P6 Recommendation and Conclusion 250...........................................................................12
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................13
P7 Reflection on values of undertaking research.................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

Project Title: HOW BUSINESSES HAVE COPED WITH THE MAJOR CHALLENGES
OF DIGITAL DISRUPTION AND TRANSFORMATION
TASK 1
P1 Project aims and Objectives for selected scenario 300
Background of study
Digital transformation in retail sector is concerned with the opportunities and challenges
faced by retailers in market to meet the continuous increasing demands of customers who will
dictate everything and also expect everything that needs to be done in more appropriate way
(Fitzgerald, Kruschwitz Bonnet and Welch, 2014). Continuous rise in implementation of digital
technologies in business operations has also created some issues for retail sector enterprise such
as increase in competition, reduction in profit margins, changes in customers demands and
decreased profitability (Iordanova and Cunningham, 2012). A study states that more than £150
billion of retail sales enterprise are presently influenced by digital transformation and those
retailers whose services have not met the requirements of customers could lose more than £12
billion of profit every year (Westerman, Bonnet and McAfee, 2014). Retailers have also
recognised that there is passive power switch to the customers and the requirement to deliver
exceptional customer experience has become more essential than ever (Karimi and Walter,
2015).
In addition to this, emergence of new digital technologies such as social media, Emails,
and E Commerce have also create major challenges and disruption for companies to meet the
requirement of customers (Loebbecke and Picot, 2015). In this research, various important ways
which are adopted by retail sector organisation to cope up with these challenges are analysed in
appropriate manner. For completion of research, Scholar has selected Marks and Spencer which
is an retail business (3 ways to overcome challenges of digital transformation, 2017). Company
usually sells various products such as grocery, food, cosmetic and clothing retail products in
market (Kane and et.al, 2015). However, company has also faced various problems due to digital
disruption and transformation which tends affects its business operations in market. Researcher
have carried out study on different literatures to analyse important strategies which can be
applied to cope with challenges of digital transformation.
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Project Aim: “To examine how social media poses major challenges of digital disruption and
transformation in retail sector- A Study on “Marks and Spencer”
Project objectives:
 To analyse the concept of social media digital disruptions and transformation in
accordance with retail sector.
 To ascertain major challenges of social media digital disruption and transformation on
Marks and Spencer, UK.
 To analyse the ways to cope with major challenges of social media for M&S, UK.
 To recommend how Marks and spencer can use social media to resolve digital disruption
and transformation.
Research Question
 What is the concept concept of social media digital disruptions and transformation in
accordance with retail sector?
 What are major challenges of social media digital disruption and transformation on
Marks and Spencer, UK?
 What are ways through which Marks and spencer can use social media to resolve digital
disruption and transformation?
P2 Project management Plan
Task
Mode Task Name Duratio
n
Star
t
Finis
h
Predecesso
rs
Resource
Names
WB
S Cost Risk
Auto
Schedule
d
Identification
and selection of
research title
4 days
Thu
6/28
/18
Tue
7/3/1
8
1 $0.00 Low
Auto
Schedule
d
Formulation of
problem
statement
5 days
We
d
7/4/
18
Tue
7/10/
18
1 2 $250.0
0
moderat
e
2

Auto
Schedule
d
Setting
deadlines to
allocate
resources
10 days
We
d
7/11
/18
Tue
7/24/
18
2 3 $150.0
0 Low
Auto
Schedule
d
Critical analysis
of key literature 6 days
We
d
7/11
/18
Wed
7/18/
18
1,2
Books,
internet,
Articles and
journals
4 $500.0
0 high
Auto
Schedule
d
Selection of
research
methodologies
5 days
We
d
7/25
/18
Tue
7/31/
18
3 5 $100.0
0 low
Auto
Schedule
d
Analysis and
calculation of
project cost
7 days
Thu
7/19
/18
Fri
7/27/
18
4 6 $300.0
0 low
Auto
Schedule
d
Analysis of
research and
data
6 days
We
d
8/1/
18
Wed
8/8/1
8
5 Questionnai
re 7 $475.0
0 high
Auto
Schedule
d
Research
evaluation and
findings
5 days
We
d
8/1/
18
Tue
8/7/1
8
4,5 8 $100.0
0
moderat
e
Auto
Schedule
d
Conclusion and
Recommendatio
ns
7 days
Mo
n
7/30
/18
Tue
8/7/1
8
6 9 $25.00 High
3

Auto
Schedule
d
Documentation
of results 3 days
Thu
8/9/
18
Mon
8/13/
18
7 10 $0.00 moderat
e
Auto
Schedule
d
Final Editing
and Submission 2 days
Thu
8/9/
18
Fri
8/10/
18
7,6 11 $0.00
 Cost: In order to carry out research, there are various expenses that needs to be carried
out by scholar and requirement specific amount of resource to complete the project.
Specific amount of resources are required for completion of activities. In this, total
amount required for completion of project is determined to be £2000. Further, allocation
has been shown by scholar in this project management plan. Scope: This factor provide clear understanding about the extent to which the further
investigation will be executed by scholar on the same topic (Solis, Li and Szymanski,
2014). It also points out the strategies or method which can be used by researcher for
accomplishment of aims and objectives. Scope of this research is to analyse ways
adopted by M&S to cope with challenges of digital disruption and transformation. Time: Specific time frame for completion of project activities are also allocated by
scholar in project management plan. It helps scholar to complete within specific time
limit. Quality: It implies to the ways which is selected by scholar for collection of data which is
important to make research more reliable and accurate. In this, scholar has utilized both
primary and secondary resource to collect data to make research more reliable and
accurate. Risk: It implies to risk involved in activities for completion of project which is
considered as effective for completion of project in appropriate manner.
 Resources: These are resources which are required for completion of project activities are
also stated by scholar in the project management plan such as questionnaire, articles,
books and journals etc.
There are various issues that are faced by researcher while opting for project management
plan. There are higher chances that investigator may not be able to achieve all the tasks in stated
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time. Another issue can be related to lack of resources which is required to be cope up so as to
complete and achieve all the goals and objectives in the end.
P3 Work Break down structure and Gantt chart to provide time frames.
Work break structure has been used by scholar to represent the distribution of activities
performed by scholar in sequence for completion of project.
Illu
stration 1: Work break down structure
Gantt chart
5

Network Digram showing critical path
6
Illustration 2: Project Ganntt chart
Illustration 3: Project Critical path

TASK 2
P4 Small scale research through application of qualitative and quantitative research methods
In order to carry out small scale research on ways through which business has cope up
with major challenges of digital disruption and transformation, there are various important
research methodologies that needs to be adopted by scholar for carrying out business activities
(Neuman, 2013). These are considered as important strategies which helps the scholar in
collection of data and interpretation of results in appropriate manners. In this, scholar has carried
out analysis on major challenges faced by M&S due to digital disruption and transformation.
Below given are research methods applied by organisation to carry out small scale research on
retail industry such as:
Research Philosophy
It is analysed as belief of scholar about the methods or way through which the data
related to topic will be gathered, analysed and utilized for completion of projects. Research
philosophy has been classified in different types such as interpretivism, positivism, pragmatism
and realism. In this small scale research, scholar has utilised interpretivism philosophy to
analyse the ways through which business can cope up with the challenges of digital disruption
and transformation (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). This philosophy is selected by scholar
as it provide support in interpretation of elements of the study. It is usually based on naturalistic
approach of data collection such as interviews and observations. It is selected by scholar to
make research more reliable and appropriate.
Research Design
It is clearly analysed as element of study or overall strategy which scholar apply to
integrate the various components of research in logical manner to resolve the research problems.
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Illustration 4: Project timescale

An appropriate research design adopted by scholar involves the blue print for collection,
measurement and analysis of data in appropriate manner. In this research, scholar has carried out
analysis on ways adopted by retailed business enterprise M&S to cope up with digital
transformation challenges (Mackey and Gass, 2015). There are two kinds of research such as
exploratory and descriptive. For completion of study, researcher has utilised descriptive research
design as it helps in addressing research problems in appropriate manner. It is used for casting
light on current issues through the process of data collection that enables scholar to describe
situation more effectively than was possible without employing this method.
Research Approach
It is considered as plan or procedure which consist of various steps of broad assumptions
to the detailed method of data collection, analysis and interpretation. Further, research
approaches are classified within two categories such as qualitative and Quantitative. For
completion of study, researcher has utilized descriptive research philosophy as it helps in testing
assumptions and male research more reliable (Lewis, 2015). This small scale research is carried
with an aim to analyse the ways through which business will cope up with challenges of digital
disruption and transformation. It is simple and does not involve hypothesis for completion of
project.
Sampling
It is process utilized by researcher for selection of appropriate sample size from selected
population to conduct study in appropriate manner. This method of sampling has classified into
two categories such as probabilistic and non probabilistic. Both these categories contains
different techniques used for calculation of sample size (Silverman, 2016). In present report,
simple random sampling technique has been used by scholar for calculation of sample size.
These techniques are used because in this every members of population will get chance to be a
part of sample size (Panneerselvam, 2014). 10 manager of M&S has been selected as sample size
through simple random sampling method so as to perform quantitative analysis and n other 5
managers, quantitative type of data analysis will be presented.
Data collection
8

It is also a process which implies to utilization of different methods for data collection
which helps in completion of research and getting answer of research questions. There are
mainly two methods of data collection such as primary and secondary method. In this report,
Questionnaire has been developed by scholar for collection of primary data from selected 10
managers of Marks and Spencer (Vaioleti, 2016) for qualitative approach and 5 managers for
quantitative approach. However, Secondary information is gathered from online articles,
journals, literature and books as it helps in development of understanding about different ways
through which company has cope up with major challenges of digital disruption and
transformation.
Data analysis
It implies to method which is used by investigator for transformation of data collected
from different sources in to useful information (Flick, 2015). There are different techniques of
data analysis which are classified with two categories such as qualitative and quantitative. In this
small scale research, thematic analysis method of qualitative data analysis has been used by
scholar for interpretation of outcomes in appropriate manner (BNS and HV, 2013). By using this
method, research will be able to provide clear understanding about the ways through which M&S
can cope up with challenges of digital disruption and transformation.
TASK 3
P5 Analysis of research and data using appropriate tools and techniques. 700
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Designation:
Company: Marks and Spencer
1. Is your company has applied digital technology at workplace?
(a) Strongly agree
(b) Agree
(c) Neutral
(d) Disagree
(e) Strongly disagree
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2. You have understanding the concept of digital disruption and transformation.
(a) Strongly agree
(b) Agree
(c) Neutral
(d) Disagree
(e) Strongly disagree
3. Do you think challenges are faced by M&S is current facing due to digital disruption and
transformation?
(a) Strongly agree
(b) Agree
(c) Neutral
(d) Disagree
(e) Strongly disagree
4. Do you think employees in M&S are highly dependent on digital technologies to
performance their responsibilities?
(a) Strongly agree
(b) Agree
(c) Neutral
(d) Disagree
(e) Strongly disagree
5. Does digital disruption affects the outcomes of your work in organisation?
(a) Strongly agree
(b) Agree
(c) Neutral
(d) Disagree
(e) Strongly disagree
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6. Do you think that employee performance and motivation gets affected due to digital diruption
and transformation at M&S?
(a) Strongly agree
(b) Agree
(c) Neutral
(d) Disagree
(e) Strongly disagree
7. Specific method is used by organisation to cope up with challenges of digital disruption.
(a) Strongly agree
(b) Agree
(c) Neutral
(d) Disagree
(e) Strongly disagree
Theme1: M&S has applied digital technology at workplace.
1. Is your company has applied digital technology at workplace? Response
(a) Strongly agree 4
(b) Agree 1
(c) Neutral 2
(d) Disagree 2
(e) Strongly disagree 1
Interpretation: From the above, it is clear that there are 5 respondents who have stated agree
because they feel that M&S utilised digital technologies in business operations. 3 respondents
have denied this statement and 1 are not sure about the statement. However, it can be stated that
digital technology is applied by M&S for transformation of business operations.
Theme2: Managers have understanding about the concept of digital disruption and
transformation.
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2. You have understanding of the concept of digital disruption and
transformation. Response
(a) Strongly agree 1
(b) Agree 3
(c) Neutral 2
(d) Disagree 1
(e) Strongly disagree 1
(a) Strongly disagree 2
Interpretation: From this, it is clear that 4 respondents have stated that employees have
understanding about the concept of digital disruption and transformation. 3 respondents have
stated they disagree because they think that employees does not have understanding of digital
disruption and transformation whereas 2 respondents is not sure about the statement. However, it
is clear that employees in organisation have understanding about the concept of digital
disruption and transformation.
Theme3:Changes in customer demands is a challenge M&S is current facing due to digital
disruption and transformation
3. Do you think challenges are faced by M&S is current facing due to
digital disruption and transformation? Response
(a) Strongly agree 4
(b) Agree 1
(c) Neutral 2
(d) Disagree 1
(e) Strongly disagree 1
(a) Strongly disagree 1
Interpretation: From above it is clear that changes in customer demand is major challenges which
M&S is currently facing in its business operations as it was stated majority of 5 respondents.
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Theme4: Employees in M&S are highly dependent on digital technologies to performance
their responsibilities
4. Do you think employees in M&S are highly dependent on digital
technologies to performance their responsibilities? Response
(a) Strongly agree 4
(b) Agree 1
(c) Neutral 2
(d) Disagree 1
(e) Strongly disagree 1
(a) Strongly disagree 1
Interpretation: As per the above analysis, it is clear that employees in organisation are highly
dependent upon the use of digital technologies for performing their roles and responsibilities at
workplace.
Theme5: Digital disruption affects the outcomes of employee's work in organisation
5. Does digital disruption affects the outcomes of your work in
organisation? Response
(a) Strongly agree 4
(b) Agree 1
(c) Neutral 2
(d) Disagree 1
(e) Strongly disagree 1
(a) Strongly disagree 1
Interpretation: It is clearly interpreted that digital disruption affects the outcomes' employee's
work in the organisation. This statement is accepted by 5 respondent, 2 have denied and 2 are
neutral. However, it is clear that digital technology is high used by organisation.
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Theme6: Employee performance and motivation gets affected due to digital disruption and
transformation at M&S
6. Do you think that employee performance and motivation gets affected
due to digital diruption and transformation at M&S? Response
(a) Strongly agree 4
(b) Agree 1
(c) Neutral 2
(d) Disagree 1
(e) Strongly disagree 1
(a) Strongly disagree 1
Interpretation: As per the above, it is clear that there are 5 respondents who have stated that
employee performance and motivation gets affected due to digital disruption and transformation
at M&S. 2 have denied this statement and 2 are neutral. However, it is clear that employee
performance and motivation gets affected due to digital disruption and transformation at M&S.
Theme7: Meeting customer requirements method is used by organisation to cope up with
challenges of digital disruption
7. Specific method is used by organisation to cope up with challenges of
digital disruption. Response
(a) Strongly agree 4
(b) Agree 2
(c) Neutral 1
(d) Disagree 1
(e) Strongly disagree 1
(a) Strongly disagree 1
Interpretation: Company will the requirement of customers to cope up with the challenges of
digital disruption at workplace.
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P6 Recommendation and Conclusion
From the above project report it can be concluded that there is a huge effect of digital
transformation in retail businesses. This report helps to analyse the concept of digital disruptions
and transformation in accordance with the retail sector. It explained the major challenges of
digital disruption and transformation for Marks and Spencer and provided ways to analyse
solutions to cope up with these challenges for Marks & Spencer.
Digital transformation has emerged as a major disruption, forcing retailers across formats
and demography to adapt to key elements of this massive change. One of the most important
challenge which is being faced by the company is the “Customer engagement” which was earlier
used to be a one-way communication depending upon media, such as TV, banners, and events.
But, with the advancement of the digital technology, it now easier for the organization to do
promotions of their services. For this, M&S should opt for various platforms available in social
media facilities to them, for example, Facebook, Twitter, or by making their own websites. By
doing this, it will help to communicate with their customers and can aware them of their services
and offers they are providing to them. Digital channels have made it easy for their customers to
get information on their buying needs.
Another factors which has affected M&S is the marketing analysis. Marks and Spencer
should opt for a unique marketing techniques to understand their customer's choices and
preferences which can help them to deliver their services according to that. It will help them to
increase their growth and productivity in the target industry.
Analysis of interview
From the interview taken from the manager, with respect to digital disruption and social
media, it was analysed that, social media can act as an advantage to communicate various factors
to the consumer. However, it can also be ineffective at the time of non-availability of internet or
any type of digital disruption occurring in the organization. It can break the connection between
company and customers. Digital disruption act as a demotivating factor for the company that can
badly impact brand image of the company as well.
TASK 4
P7 Reflection on values of undertaking research
While conducting this project report I learned a lot of new things. I learned analytical skills
which supported me to be creative and it enhanced my knowledge by this way I became able to
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accomplish the goal. I became able to interact effectively with others. For this project I collected
my data from primary sources for which I interacted with so many people which has helped me
to improve my communication skill. This project report was based on Effect of digital
transformation in retail businesses. Moreover, while carrying out this project report I faced so
many hurdles and problems. There are various sites which were not giving proper data and
information which I wanted to know. For this project work I studied about Project Management
Plan and Gantt chart and learned how to prepare it, which helped me a lot while preparing this
project report. While doing this work I studied about various important research methodologies,
which helped me gain knowledge about it. I got knowledge about various tools, philosophy,
designing, methods of data collection. Availability of various data has supported me in gaining
expected discovery. There are various ethical issues also which I have managed to successfully
follow them. I tried to collect all the authentic data for the report, to make it more effective. I
communicated with different staff member that helped me in enhancing my confidence level and
also that level of confidence will give benefit in near future as well.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
BNS, R. and HV, R., 2013. An overview of interpretive phenomenology as a research
methodology. Nurse Researcher (through 2013), 20(6), p.17.
Fitzgerald, M., Kruschwitz, N., Bonnet, D. and Welch, M., 2014. Embracing digital technology:
A new strategic imperative. MIT sloan management review, 55(2), p.1.
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Iordanova, D. and Cunningham, S., 2012. Digital disruption: Cinema moves on-line. St
Andrews film studies.
Kane, G.C., Palmer, D., Phillips, A.N., Kiron, D. and Buckley, N., 2015. Strategy, not
technology, drives digital transformation. MIT Sloan Management Review and Deloitte
University Press, 14.
Karimi, J. and Walter, Z., 2015. The role of dynamic capabilities in responding to digital
disruption: A factor-based study of the newspaper industry. Journal of Management
Information Systems, 32(1), pp.39-81.
Lewis, S., 2015. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches.
Health promotion practice, 16(4), pp.473-475.
Loebbecke, C. and Picot, A., 2015. Reflections on societal and business model transformation
arising from digitization and big data analytics: A research agenda. The Journal of
Strategic Information Systems, 24(3), pp.149-157.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S.M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Neuman, W.L., 2013. Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Pearson education.
Panneerselvam, R., 2014. Research methodology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..
Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
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