Managing Successful Business Projects

This project report examines the impact of digital technology, particularly social media, on the growth and innovation of small businesses. It uses Continental Consulting Limited as a case study, analyzing their project management plan, conducting research through surveys and questionnaires, and providing recommendations for successful implementation of digital tools. The report also includes a Gantt chart and work breakdown structure to illustrate the project's timeline and activities.

MANAGING SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECTS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Project aim and objectives.................................................................................................1
P2 Project management plan with cost aspects, scope, time, quality and communication risk..2
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart....................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Small scale research by implementation qualitative and quantitative research................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5 Evaluation research and data using appropriate tools and techniques..............................9
P6 Appropriate recommendation as a result of data and research analysis..........................15
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................16
P7 Reflection upon undertakings to attain objectives..........................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
Successful operations and management depends upon effective management of business
project. It is observed that digital technology has been one of the emerging tool to execute the
business operations at next level (Kowalkowski, Kindström and Brehmer, 2011). Proper use of
digital technological tools assist in effective incorporate of business project for better operation
and management. This report is prepared to establish aim, objective, information and time frame
based upon theme. Management plan and which covers the aspects are considered to
communicate the risk and resources. Continental Consulting Limited organisation is taken to
implement digital technology to support small business projects. A research programme is
conducted in the form of questionnaire to gather information for assisting projects.
TASK 1
P1 Project aim and objectives
Continental Consulting Limited is a medium scale organization which provides research
and business consultancy services in the UK. Its core business is business re-engineering and
potential customers contains small and medium manufacturing companies situated in London.
Essential point of this association is to designate fitting workers for their customer organizations.
This organization is situated in London and Greater London. Continental Consulting Limited
was set up eight years prior and with a specific end goal to expand their effectiveness and
efficiency, organisation need to ascent their innovation and for that they have chosen to execute
advanced innovation in their exercises. This gradation will assist the organization with
competing with new participants of the market and fulfil their customers requirements and needs.
Advanced device as Socedo, Tweepi, Crowd booster, Tag board and Oktopost can be used at
various stages that can extend and develop their business tasks. Computerized instrument will
enable this consultancy to organization to advance their business utilizing social media.
Topic: “The impact of digital technology supporting small business growth and
innovation”
As per current situation, innovation is the most critical posture in sighted business
activities. Computerized innovation encourages an association to learn different components
which can impact their tasks, for example, contenders, demand, advertise powers etc. Deciding
1

future request utilizing these instruments can give a structure of systems which can complete the
customers' necessities by satisfying every one of the demand.
Aim: “The impact of social media as digital technology supporting small business growth
and innovation”
The essential goal of this examination report is to decide how social media can help a
small and medium scale organization like Continental Consulting Limited to accomplish its
authoritative objectives (Jeston, 2014).
Research Objectives
 To implement social media tools in business operations of small scale organizations
 To improve administrate quality by utilizing social media instruments
 To explore diverse services related to consultancy through social media tools
Research questions
 How digital innovation impact on development of medium scale organization?
 What changes organisation will face in administration quality after implementation of
digital instruments ?
 How social media tools can explore diverse services related to consultancy ?
P2 Project management plan with cost aspects, scope, time, quality and communication risk
It is such type of formal document which contains all details regarding the activities
performed during execution of specific project (Cheung, Chan and Kajewski, 2012). Such details
may related with setting tine frame, allocation of cost, maintenance of quality, risk involved in
project activities etc. All these aspects are required to be manage by the project manager in order
to bring maximum profitable outcomes to company. Project management plan defines the roles
and responsibilities of each members engaged in execution of different business activities. It is
also known as communication channel through which its stakeholders are able to know about the
project. There are various aspects which are needed to undertake under project management plan
such are given as under:
Scope: Investment in implementation of digitalisation within business operation ensures
company in getting profitable outcome in return in form of increasing productivity and
profitability. Therefore it is wider scope due to which it is essential for management to
concentrate more in adoption of digital technologies such as modern equipment, online
technology which includes social media platform, TV advertisement and promotional
2

advertisement on other company's websites etc. For instance, Using social media platforms and
paid advertisements on other company's websites so as to search targeted clients across
worldwide (Hillson, 2017). Continental Consulting Ltd It assist them in improving all aspects
related with administration, production, marketing etc. through implementation of digital
technology.
Cost: It refers to amount of money which is required in execution of every project
activities thus it is essential for the management to carefully assign cost to particular project
activity in order to minimise cost and wastage. As Continental Consulting Ltd. Is looking to
adopt social media platform in order to expand its business operations and sales due to which it
is required to appoint experience social media experts who know how to utilise such platform in
moire profitable way. For this, the manager first need to identify the capabilities of company
regarding having funds and plan accordingly. For this, the managers are required to prepare a
budget in which cost has been allocated to each activity performing during adoption of digital
technology. The sample of statement showing cost incurred are given as below:
Total forecasted budget
Particular 2017-18(£)
Implementing technology cost 17000
Promotional expense 7000
Advertisement expense 5500
Catalogues 1800
Training charges 7500
Total cost 38800
Time: It is another crucial aspect which required to consider in order to grab competitive
opportunities in market. The project manager are required to set time frame for each project
activity so that the chances of delay in action are low. Delay in performing activity maximises
the cost of company due to which Continental Consulting Ltd. Is required to follow critical path
approach which gives reliable information in order to guide employees to perform in right
3

direction (Fisher, 2011). Setting deadlines encourages employees to focus more and bring
profitable and innovative way to compete task within pre-determined time period.
Quality: It is vital element which easily attract large number of customers across
worldwide. Offering quality services and products ensures the long term existence for company
in competitive market (Adzic, 2011). Continental consulting Ltd. Is engaged in providing
consulting services thus it is essential for an organisation to have skilled and knowledgeable
employees who are more capable to deal with their clients coming from different countries. For
this, training and development programs should be provided to employees which directly
improves quality of work.. For example, enhancing communication skills of employees through
training and learning programs makes easy for them to deal with different clients of different
nature and backgrounds. Communicating through social media in better manner can easily grab
an attention of clients and attract their interest of getting company's services as well.
Risk: It is another important aspect which can brings hurdles in execution of project
activities due to which it is compulsorily required by manager to forecast the situation under
which they will work in future and on the basis of which make suitable plans and actions
(Duffield and Whitty, 2015). Risk may related with lack of employees support, lack of funds,
rivals competitive strategies etc. Thus, it is the responsibility of project manager of Continental
Consulting Ltd. To identify and analyse such risk through conducting research and make plans
accordingly. For example, lack of employees support due to lack of skills and knowledge thus
the manager are required to make plans regarding adoption of training programs for them to
enhance their capabilities and contribution towards project activities.
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart
Work breakdown structure suggests the disintegration of the work which is done under
the research into reasonable areas. This structure incorporates different advances which are
required to be done to direct the exploration. Here, the venture group of Continental Consulting
Limited has made with separate bifurcation of projects with a specific goal to recognize practical
aim and objectives. This structure talks about different project arrangements of the exercises
which are being done and what measures ought to be considered while playing out those task
(Doherty, Ashurst and Peppard, 2012). This procedure will enhance the basic leadership capacity
of users and will give clear vision about the projects and targets to them. The work breakdown
4

structure helps an association by giving a chance to distinguish clients' inclinations and demands.
This strategy will also help the organization to accomplish their essential objective and that is
business extension and advancement. This tool mainly assist the management to take decisions
and make strategies for business expansion or assisting a project. It is prepared on the basis of
aim and objective of business. The work breakdown stricture of project report is bifurcated as
follows;
 Main aim and objective if the research
 Literature review
 Conflicts featured by the company
 Aim of research
 Selection of target respondents
 Framing a plan
 Evaluation and criticise the data
To conduct a research, it is imperative to include and incorporate all the previously
mentioned components as organisation have their own significant factors during the time spent
research work. Continental Consulting Limited is a small scale organization which is setting up
an arrangement to execute computerized innovation instruments like incorporating the
informations and data in electronic form to organization to compete in the market. So,
considering the point organisation is set to build up a compelling arrangement research is been
conducted by using primary source of research. Technology specialist of this organization has
arranged a survey which has few inquiries with respect to effect of advanced innovation on their
business.
This examination gives vital data to the organization and to the venture supervisors with
the goal that they can design effective systems (Drucker, 2012). Each task and action of research
requires a particular time duration in which they can finish their task list. With a specific end
goal to list these undertakings, organization has picked essential wellspring of research and that
is polling method.
Gantt chart is considered as a bar chart which mainly communicate and conclude the
results in graphical form (Pekuri and et. al., 2014). There is a formation of project defined in
below in the form of Gantt Chart such as Architectural design. The project is mainly contains 55
days. The plans is categories in three activities. A construction phase also considered that
5

contains the time limit of 135 days. There is a construction of building project of 5 floors that is
required to construct and the activities are formed as per the activities requirements. 1st floor with
40 days, 2nd floor 50 days, 4th floor with 40 days limit and 5th floor with time limit of 105 days.
As per above information and data, a Gantt chart is prepared for Continental Consultancy
Limited below;
6

Critical defines the path to execute the information and defines the sequences in which
tasks are carried out and executed further (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017). Major part remain
associated with determining the path and ascertain the maximum time limit for performing the
tasks. The critical path for the above business plan is carried our as follows;
TASK 2
P4 Small scale research by implementation qualitative and quantitative research
There are two type of main sources are formed in terms of gathering the information form
market as
Primary data: Through this source managers be able to get information directly form
respondents. Interview, survey, questionnaire are the methods used for primary data (Primary
source and secondary source, 2018).
Secondary data: These are the sources used as a supporting material to execute the
research. Articles, magazines, applied research are considered as secondary sources of
information (Morris and Geraldi, 2011).
7

Sampling method: It is a procedure of selecting samples for getting proper results
regarding the evaluation and analysis. Random sampling method is elected and used upon 35
respondents to analyse the feasibility of project plan. Population refers to general public,
Youngsters and students are the targeted public group to communicate the detail regarding of
digital technology in work process and to know that the whole research procedure is focused
upon gaining high growth and productivity. Teenagers, young generations, college students are
the groups selected for survey. Data is collected through questionnaire in order to come across
the benefits about the enforcement.
Questionnaire
Name
Gender
Age
Q1 Do you think that Continental Consulting Ltd is flexible to adopt social media tools?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2. Which type of social media tools contributes maximum in the growth and expansion of
Continental Consulting Ltd. ?
a) Facebook
b) Oktopost
c) Tagboard
d) Twitter
Q3) What will the positive outcome be received by Continental Consultancy Ltd. after adoption
of social media tools in business operations ?
a) Enhancing overall performance
b) Minimising defects
b) Optimise uses of resources
Q4) Is there any need of providing training and learning programs for employees of Continental
Consultancy Ltd.?
a) Yes
8

b) No
Q5) What employees think about implementation of digitalisation in company's business
operation?
a) Positive
b) Negative
Q6) What are the main challenges faced by management during adoption of digital technology
within an organisation?
a) Cost
b) Time
c) Conflict
Q7). Is Digitalisation play a vital role in delivering products and services of Continental
Consultancy Ltd. to targeted customers ?
a) Yes
b) No
Q8). Whether adoption of digitalisation in business operations reduce workload of employees or
not?
a) Yes
b) No
Q9. Does Digitalisation assist Continental Consultancy Ltd. to maintain good relation with the
targeted customers?
a) Yes
b) No
Q10. Provide own recommendation to deal with challenges after implementing social media
tools?
TASK 3
P5 Evaluation research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Q1. Are Continental Consultancy Ltd. much financially capable to adopt digital technology in
its business operation?
9

Yes 25
No 10
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
25
10
Column C
Interpretation: it is observed that 25 respondents are in favour that company is
financially capable to implement digital technology to expand business. 10 respondents assume
that organisation is not capable to implement the tools.
Q2. Which type of social media tools contributes maximum in the growth and expansion of
Continental Consulting Ltd. ?
a) Facebook 10
b) Oktopost 10
c) Tagboard 12
d) TwitterE-commerce 3
10

Interpretation: There are different digital technological tools are asked which presents
following results as E commerce 10, IT software 10, wireless technology stands for 12 and cloud
requirements are 3.
Q3) What are the positive outcome received by Continental Consultancy Ltd. after adoption of
Digitalisation ?
Enhancing overall performance 10
Minimising defects 12
Optimise uses of resources 8
Enhancing overall performance
Minimising defects
Optimise uses of resources
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
10
12
8
Column C
Interpretation: there aspects are evaluated as follows in terms of optimise use of
resources is 8, minimising defects were 12 and optimise use of resources was 8.
11
10
10
12
3
a) Facebook
b) Oktopost
c) Tagboard
d) TwitterE-commerce

Q4) Is there any need of providing training and learning programs for employees of Continental
Consultancy Ltd.?
Yes 23
No 12
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25 23
12
Column L
Interpretation: It is observed that organisation is required to provide training and
development session to explore skills and knowledge of employees. Regarding this, 23
respondents assumes that it is required to training and development and 12 assumes that it is not
required of training and development program.
Q5) What employees think about implementation of digitalisation in company's business
operation?
Positive 28
Negative 7
12

Positive Negative
0
5
10
15
20
25
30 28
7
Column C
Interpretation: As per above pool, 28 respondents assumes that there will be positive
impact fall upon organisational structure in and in managing the operations. Whereas 7
respondents assumes that there will be negative impact fall upon management and operation.
Q6) What are the main challenges faced by management during adoption of digital technology
within an organisation?
Cost 16
Time 9
Conflict 10
16
9
10
Cost
Time
Conflict
13

Interpretation: As per above results presented in chart 16 responders assumes that
organisation has cost challenges, 10 respondents things that time is the main challenge and 10
respondents things that internal conflicts are the main challenges for the organisation.
Q7). Is Digitalisation play a vital role in reaching products and services of Continental
Consultancy Ltd. to targeted customers ?
Yes 19
No 6
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20 19
6
Column C
Interpretation: As per above results it is observed that 19 respondents thinks that
organisation would be able to reach its targeted customer group and 6 respondents thinks that
organisation will not be able to reach to its targeted customer group.
Q8). Whether adoption of digitalisation in business operations
reduce workload of employees or not?
Yes 32
No 3
14

Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35 32
3
Column L
Interpretation: as per above results it is seen that 32 respondents think that workload
will be reduced after implementation of digital technology and 3 people think that it will not
reduce the workload.
Q9. Does Digitalisation assist Continental Consultancy Ltd. to maintain good relation with the
targeted customers or not?
Yes 27
No 8
Yes
No
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
27
8
Column L
15

Interpretation: As per above results it is observed that 27 respondents think that it will
be able to maintain good relations with its employees and 8 respondents think that it will not be
able to maintain good relations.
NOTE: All the charts and graphs are self generated on the basis of given data by using
spreadsheet.
P6 Appropriate recommendation as a result of data and research analysis
Continental Consulting Limited is a medium scale association which is occupied with
giving consultancy and staffing services to small and medium organizations of London. This
organization has chosen to execute digital technology to build effectiveness in their
administration rehearses. So as to actualize these devices, organization has directed an
exploration utilizing survey. The primary goal of this organization is to give quality services so
as to accomplish goals and fulfilment of their customers needs. In the above research type of
sources should be utilized to guarantee dependable and effective data. Points and goals of
research must be clear and brief with the goal that administration ought to get clear vision about
what exercises are should have been performed.
After getting the outcomes form the above research it is suggested that Continental
Consulting Limited must reconcile its operation system to implement digital technological tools
with in organisation. Proper training and development program is required to proposed to teach
employees the use of different type of social media and communicating tools. Employees are
required to train regarding Facebook, Oktopostc, Tagboardd, Twitter and E-commerce. Tagboard
is one of the recent tool for employees to communicated with in organisational system. Some
challenges also highlighted while implementing the project plan in three major factors as cost
time and conflict. As per the results cost factor is required to analysed form root level by the cost
managers and finance department of company. It is recommended that company should analyse
the potential sources contains less implementation cost to reduce the capital expenditure. it is
recommended that organisation should install computerized innovation like synchronised
information system used to combine information, digital tools are exceedingly advantageous for
little scale organizations, it helps associations in advance their business by including low
expenses. Upper hand and benefit maximisations are couple of more advantages of advanced
innovations.
16

TASK 4
P7 Reflection upon undertakings to attain objectives
While directing the examination, specialist suffered from different issues in various
perspectives. Low accessibility of source like The Computer Misuse Act 1990, General Data
Protection Regulation influenced nature of my exploration results, because of less time
accessible I had to choose just 35 respondents for my examination. To manage those issues and
create appropriate project design was the principle point of analyst and to accomplish that I had
less measure of accessible time and cash. From essential wellspring of accumulation, I have
chosen poll technique in which 10 questions were solicited from 35 people with respect to affect
from advanced innovation on our organization. Aside from poll, I have additionally utilized
couple of auxiliary wellsprings of research, for example, daily papers and so on which helped me
pick up information about computerized instruments. Endeavours and attempts which were
occupied with conduction of research helped me and my association in accomplishing wanted
research results. I ran over a few difficulties while completing the exploration work think about.
It was not basic for them to complete the entire procedure in compelling way. Gantt diagram and
work breakdown structure is appropriately connected by the business association to complete the
quantity of exercises in compelling and productive way.
It is suggested that management of Continental Consultancy Ltd should adopt more
comprehensive approach subject to analyse the differences and management approaches. I have
adapted such a significant number of viewpoints and criteria that has helped me to draft
legitimate and viable arrangements that is required to do the entire procedure in sufficient way.
Recommendation are required to analyse the feasibility and transition control for organisation for
managing the business in more feasible and contingent way. It mainly associated with creating
the plans and deriving the changes with more specific and comparative way. As there are a few
strategies and routes through which scientist can play out the entire research work in proficient
way.
CONCLUSION
Managing successful business projects is defined in above report. Accosting to above
mention details it is summarised that how business projects are tackled and executed in
organisational context. The business report conclude the implication of digital technology as
17

social media in small scale organisation. It is observed that digital technology brings positive
impact on organisation to boost the level of existing business and details. A survey methodology
is used to conduct the research regarding implementation of social media tools. Types of data are
collected by researcher to collect make effective decision and frame plans. Recommendation and
suggestions are advised subject to draw a valid conclusion.
18

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Kowalkowski, C., Kindström, D. and Brehmer, P. O., 2011. Managing industrial service
offerings in global business markets. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 26(3).
pp.181-192.
Jeston, J., 2014. Business process management. Routledge.
Hillson, D., 2017. Managing risk in projects. Routledge.
Fisher, E., 2011. What practitioners consider to be the skills and behaviours of an effective
people project manager. International journal of project management, 29(8). pp.994-
1002.
Doherty, N. F., Ashurst, C. and Peppard, J., 2012. Factors affecting the successful realisation of
benefits from systems development projects: findings from three case studies. Journal of
Information Technology, 27(1). pp.1-16.
Cheung, E., Chan, A. P. and Kajewski, S., 2012. Factors contributing to successful public private
partnership projects: Comparing Hong Kong with Australia and the United Kingdom.
Journal of Facilities Management, 10(1). pp.45-58.
Adzic, G., 2011. Specification by example: how successful teams deliver the right software.
Manning Publications Co..
Duffield, S. and Whitty, S. J., 2015. Developing a systemic lessons learned knowledge model for
organisational learning through projects. International journal of project management,
33(2). pp.311-324.
Drucker, P., 2012. Managing for results. Routledge.
Pekuri, A., and et. al., 2014. Managing value creation: the business model approach in
construction. International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, 8(1). pp.36-51.
Nicholas, J. M. and Steyn, H., 2017. Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Routledge.
Morris, P. W. and Geraldi, J., 2011. Managing the institutional context for projects. Project
Management Journal, 42(6). pp.20-32.
Online
Primary source and secondary source, 2018. [online] Available through;
<https://businesscasestudies.co.uk/food-standards-agency/market-research-and-
consumer-protection/primary-and-secondary-research.html>.
19

APPENDIX
Log bookProject Logbook for the chosen
:
organisation Continental
Consulting Limited
:
Name of the learner
:
Name of the Supervisor
:
Project Title Managing successful
business
:
Date
/
Update of weekly research tasks
(
achieved Account for a minimum of
)
six weeks with dates
?
What have you completed
?
Did you fulfil Task requirements
Are you on track and within
?
deadlines set
Did you need to make any changes
to your project management
?
plan
Comments
Completed report for
implementation of digital
.technology
Yes
,Yes all the requirements are
properly executed with in given
.time period
No changes are required for
.project plan
/
?
Any risks and or issues identified
l
/
Did you identify risks issues
with a lack of skills required
for undertaking research
?
tasks
,Yes there are some potential
areas are found and rectified
.with possible solutions
20

l
Did you identify any additional
/
risks issues that have an
impact on the project
?
management plan
All the relevant taska and
management are connected with
.the plans and task
Problems encountered
l
?
What barriers did you face
l
?
How did you overcome them
Ethical activity and trust
problems were the at the high
.point
Effective solution is given in
terms of resolving the issuesNew Ideas and change of project
direction
It is seen that gowth and
development perspective digital
tools are considered more
.effective and effecient
What Have I learnt about myself
?
this week
l
How did I feel when I had to
/
?
deal with tasks problems
l
Did I find it useful to complete
?
the tasks
l
?
How well have I performed
?
What did I contribute
l
What can I improve on next
?
week
I think that approaching issues
and situation supply an effective
.experience for long duration
Yes
This report is effeciently
performed by me and i
contributed various reaserch
.work by my project
My communication ability is
.needed to be enhanced
21

l
How might this learning apply
?
in the future
It will be helpful in interpreting
positive ways to director by
which coming judgement can be
.taken
Tasks planned for next week
l
?
Which tasks are priority
l
Have you set aside sufficient
?
time for completion
Type of difficulties and problems
were faced by organisation and it
is observed that organisation
need to analyse those factors at
.priority basis
,Yes I have digression enough
time fro attaining the tasks or
.objectives
( ,
Project plan status to date on
,
)
ahead behind
Up to date
Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and
:
date
Performance review
1. ?What was the Project supposed to accomplish
This project is supposed to accomplish the understanding for
importance of digital tools and technology and how it can be benificial
.for smal enterprise
2. / ?Did the project succeed in its objectives how do you know
, .Specifically please outline any evaluation and assessment undertaken
The major aim and objective of the company is change the image
.of the organisation in the customer mind and market place Thus that
.can be complete with the assist of social activities
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
22