Management Consulting Project Simulation

This simulation task presents a scenario where you are a management consultant leading a project. You analyze the factors affecting company operations, propose solutions, evaluate your performance, and outline your plan for continuous professional development based on the experience. The assignment includes providing a Gantt chart, Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and answering reflective questions about your learning and development.

MANAGING SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS

Table of Contents
Title:Impact of digital technology to support management of Educ8 group...................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
LO1.............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Aims and objectives of digital technology at Educ8 Group.................................................1
P2. Project management plan to cover the aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk and resources.............................................................................................2
P3. Work break down structure and Gantt Chart........................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
LO2.............................................................................................................................................6
P4. Small scale quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to gain the project aims
and objectives..............................................................................................................................6
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
LO3...........................................................................................................................................10
P5. Analysis of research and data using appropriate tools and techniques...............................10
P6. Recommendation for data analysis and the valid conclusion.............................................12
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................13
LO4...........................................................................................................................................13
Reflection on the research process............................................................................................13
References......................................................................................................................................15

Title:Impact of digital technology to support management of Educ8 group
TASK 1
LO1
P1. Aims and objectives of digital technology at Educ8 Group
Digital technology has played a major role in the improvement of the overall management and
the functioning of the company. Management is the blood and soul of an organisation. The
management will help the company to device the business plans and the future strategy. With the
help of digital technology, the management of the organisational operations will be more
convenient and timely and will be more accurate and precise (Matthews and Ross, 2014). The
digital technology covers the systems and electronic network as the resources. This will help the
company to generate more profit and revenue in the organisation. Also, it promotes the growth of
the company. Digital tool can be boon to small business like Educ8 group and all other firms like
this. By small business, if they use the advanced digital technology, they can raise their revenue,
growth, export etc. in the same way of big enterprises. Nowadays, the small businesses are using
the same technology tools and transforming their business to the digital era. In a more digitalised
world, consumer is more expected to work through online channels. While this happens most of
the time happen with large businesses, but it could also happen with small businesses like Educ8
Group, which might have not had engaged to reach the new, exciting customers. Technology
infrastructure affects culture, relationship and skilfulness of your business. It also affects the
trade advantage and confidential subject matter of your company. Foremost importance of
technology is the communication with the customers.
In today’s rapid world, these are necessary to interact with customers in very quick way
(Clark and Creswell, 2014). Fast shipment allows the business make large geographical area.
Further, quick response to the customer and also use of the latest technology create business
benefits because better communication makes a strong public image of the company. Firstly,
there is a big difficulty to make a business popular in their areas. But on the digital world, it is
very easy to promote your company in very effective way. To make your company famous in
social world, you have the best option of social media marketing to let everyone know about
your company. Digital technology also helps small business to improve its efficiency of
operation. The cash flow needs and sphere valuable resources such as physical space and time
along with the inventory management technology. Most business in era are concerned about the
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security threats and mischief's practised in the market. Technology helps in protecting their
financial data, important executive documents, property information etc. that leads to
competitive advantage of the company in the market. Technology also helps to research about
new opportunity that will come in the market and step ahead to its competition (Selwyn , 2014).
The internet allows the business virtually travel in the new market that raise the demand of the
company and allows selling the product and services abroad. That all make great impact for
Educ8 group if they follow the step of digital technology.
 Aim and Objectives
 Aim: Impact of digital technology to support management of Educ8 group
 Objectives:
 To understand the features and details of digital technology.
 To understand that how digital technology helps in the growth and innovations at Educ8
group (Jenssen and et.al 2016).
 To identify the relation between the use of digital technology and growth of innovation
at Educ8 group.
 To provide appropriate recommendations and implementation techniques to increase the
innovation and growth of Educ8 Group.
P2. Project management plan to cover the aspects of cost, scope, time, quality, communication,
risk and resources.
On the basis of the planned activities and the researches done, the experts or the
management of Educ8 Group will divide their functions and activities in a very detailed,
systematic and synchronised way (Selwyn and Facer, 2014). The work or the overall functioning
of the business firm will be divided in smaller time frames on each stage of the progress. Various
tasks had been taken into consideration to accomplish and fulfil them in a very systematic and
timely manner. Some factors that will be identified and applied in the business of Educ8 Group
will be:
Cost: According to the available budget to Educ8 Group, the company has £12000 as the
resource or the capital in hand. Thus, this cost has been required to carry out the essential and
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important functionalities of the company. Besides this, it will also help the company to decide
and determine its future policies.
Risk: From the research, it can be identified that the company has limited time and resources.
This constraint can affect their overall functionality to a greater extent. Besides this, the company
can face internal as well as external risks that can affect the performance of Educ8 Group.
Besides this, many times, the researcher or the management personnel's at the company cannot
understand the queries filed by the consumers, as they found it to be too engaging. Providing the
correct or the relevant details about the risk factors can't be possible in this case.
Scope: From the research, it can be identified that the scope or the extent to implement the
digital technology can improved which contribute to enhance the work quality and productivity
of the company. It also increases the chances of better revenue generation for the company which
will help Educ8 Group to perform well in the market. Also, the scope of innovation will play a
very crucial and important role in the growth of the company in a very systematic way.
Resources: The extensive and detailed research will help the company to achieve its goals and
market oriented targets in an easy and efficient way (Levine, Bae and Hirsch, 2013). The primary
as well as the secondary resources that will be identified in the research process will help the
company to develop an effective and efficient work process at Educ8 Group. It will also help the
company to manage the available resources along with time and workforce in a very precise and
systematic way to gain better profitability.
Quality: It is one of the important parameter that has been taken into consideration by
the researchers or the experts in the management of the company or the organisation. The
high-quality factor will help the company to build a better customer goodwill and provide
them with the better satisfaction level. With the information derived by the researchers,
Educ8 Group will put its resources and efforts to meet the targeted goals in efficient and
systematic way. It is an important element to achieve the goals and objectives of the
company.
P3. Work break down structure and Gantt Chart
Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Research Project Mon 12/18/17
Planning Wed 12/20/17
Finding of the topic 3 days Thu 12/21/17 Mon 12/25/17
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Statements of problems 1 day Thu 12/21/17 Thu 12/21/17 1
Time frame and
allocation of resources 2 days Fri 12/22/17 Mon 12/25/17 2
Implementation Fri 12/22/17
Literature review 5 days Sat 12/23/17 Thu 12/28/17 3
Selection of correct
research methodologies 1 day Sun 12/24/17 Sun 12/24/17 4
Data analysis and
interpretation 2 days Sat 12/23/17 Mon 12/25/17 5
Evaluation of results and
outcomes 2 days Sat 12/23/17 Mon 12/25/17 5
Project closer
Giving conclusion and
recommendation 1 day Wed 12/27/17 Wed 12/27/17 6
Results of documentation 1 day Thu 12/28/17 Thu 12/28/17 7
Submission of report 1 day Sat 12/30/17 Sat 12/30/17 8
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Illustration 1: Gantt Chart

Illustration 2: Work break down Structure
TASK 2
LO2
P4. Small scale quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to gain the project aims and
objectives.
To determine the capability and the work efficiency of the company as well as its
employees, the experts or the researchers at Educ8 Group will take the approach of qualitative
and quantitative analysis methodologies. This is done, in fact to identify and determine the
various types of essential data's and to make the appropriate and significant measures and
improvements, so that the company can run in a very systematic manner and achieve its targeted
goals that are been identified and determined by the company (Levine, Bae and Hirsch, 2013).
The qualitative and quantitative analysis helps the company to get a better understanding of the
market trends and customers demands and then to decide the appropriate and essential changes
or improvement measures for the Educ8 group. In order to gain the qualitative analysis, the
manager or the expert researchers will refer to various articles, journals, online books, news etc.
For the quantitative analysis, various survey, graphs and tables will be refereed. In this research,
we have taken the primary data for which a questionnaire is been prepared to collect the
authentic and relevant information. The questionnaire prepared is as following:
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Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
1. On average, do you use you computer under natural lightning or Artificial Ligtning?
 Artificial Lighting
 Natural Lighting
2. What internet access your company uses?
 DSL over telephone line
 Cable Modem
 Wireless connection
 Satellite
 Fibre optics
 Wi-fi
3. Did your business have a website for reference?
 Yes
 No (Please move to Question 5)
4. Which strategy do you used to direct the internet traffic to your website?
 Paid search
 Print Advertising
 Social media
 Other media options
 None of the above
5. Did your business uses internet for providing services?
 Yes
 No
Theme 1: Educ8 Group using internet website
On average, do you use you computer under
natural lightning or Artificial Lighting?
Frequency
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Artificial Lighting 25
Natural Lighting 5
Interpretation: From the above graph we can conclude that 25 people work under Artificial
lighting while 5 people work in natural lighting conditions. This depicts the work condition of
the employee at Educ8 Group.
Theme 2: Internet facility used by Educ8 Group
What internet access your company uses Frequency
DSL over telephone line 15
Cable Modem 5
Wireless connection 2
Satellite 1
Fibre optics 1
Wi-fi 1
8
25
5 Artificial
Lighting
Natural
Lighting
DSL over
telephone line
Cable Modem
Wireless
connection
Satellite
Fibre optics Wi-fi

Interpretation: From the graph we can say that 15 people uses DSL over telephone line. 5
people uses the cable modem. 2 people uses the wireless connection. While the satellite, fibre
optics and Wi-fi is used by three individuals each.
Theme 3: Usage of business website
Did your business have a website for
reference
Frequency
Yes 22
No 8
Interpretation: From the above graph we can say that 22 people uses the website for businesses
while only 8 people don't use it for business purposes.
Theme 4: Strategy for traffic transfer on website
Which strategy do you used to direct the
internet traffic to your website
Frequency
Paid search 5
Print Advertising 9
Social media 12
Other media options 1
None of the above 1
9
Yes
No

Interpretation: From the above graph we came to know that 5 people uses the paid search to
transfer the traffic. 9 people uses print media approach. Social media platform is been used by 12
people while 1-1 individual uses either other medium or no medium to transfer the traffic.
Theme 5: Using internet for services
Did your business uses internet for
providing services
Frequency
Yes 23
No 7
Interpretation: From the graph above we can say that about 23 people uses internet to provide
their business services while 7 people don't use it for business purposes.
TASK 3
LO3
P5. Analysis of research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
The research of the digital technology determines effective results to create a better
market growth and scope of innovation for the Educ8 Group. It is a very essential and important
process as it ensures that the essential information is appropriately derived from the research
process and look after the efficient implementation of different tools and techniques. It includes
the various aspects:
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Paid search
Print Advertising
Social media
Other media options
None of the above
Yes
No

 Introduction: the research process will include the implementation and identification of
various research methods and measures that are been taken into the consideration by the
Educ8 Group (Saad-Sulonen, 2014). The usage of the digital technology approach will
help the company to improve the work conditions in the organisation and using the
implementation of the digital technology. The company or the organisation can improve
its chances of growth using the latest digital technology, which will provide the company
enough idea and experience to take effective measure to improve growth and innovations.
Also, it promotes valid research process.
 Research design: In the process of research design, there are several problems that can
be taken into consideration on a particular topic. There are different research techniques
that are been taken into the context to identify the risk and problem extent of a particular
topic or level. Some different research techniques are descriptive, experimental,
exploratory etc. Thus, this is the reason, the research design is been selected for the
Educ8 Group.
 Research philosophy: the research philosophy is done to gain the relevant conclusion of
decision from the result of the research (Jenssen and et.al 2016). This will help the
company to determine the efficient measures that are very essential and important to
make the overall functionality and work environment of the company very good. In this
research, we have used the interpretive philosophy which is used by many researchers for
their work. Also, it is proved to be very useful in providing the relevant data that is been
required by the Educ8 Group.
 Data collection from research: in the research process, the data is of two types, primary
data and the secondary one. The primary data is the raw facts and figures we get from the
help of a questionnaire. Using this, the effective data can be used to carry out the further
research. The secondary research is conducted using surveys which is used to get the
crucial information related to a topic. A questionnaire can be prepared in this case which
will include the various open and close ended question to determine the aims and
objectives.
 Analysing the derived Data: Data analysis is performed under then thematic assessment
process which includes the appropriate research process given for response for the
effective results for every query in a questionnaire. The researcher uses various
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techniques like chi square test to gather the information and find its output using various
statical tools (Arts, van der Wal, and Adams, 2015). This will help Educ8 Group to gain a
better idea about their functionality.
 Sampling: the sampling is used by the researchers or the experts in the organisation to
get an assistance in meeting their goals. In this, the researchers gather the relevant data by
targeting a population or group of people. In this research we have taken 30 people as the
sample audience of the customers of the Educ8 Group. This is the best way to gain the
innovative approach and growth in the market.
 Limitation: the limitation will be the indicative of the drawbacks or loop hole that are
been required to be taken into consideration to avoid any negative impact on the
outcomes of the research process. This is the reason to keep the effective research
program for the company to reduce the chances of error or failure and develop an
extensive research response for the queries. The loophole like time constraint and lack of
resources are some limitations that can affect the information gathering.
P6. Recommendation for data analysis and the valid conclusion.
To get the effective results and maintain the effective quality standard of the company,
the digital technology can prove as an effective tool to create a good environment and managing
the overall functionality of the company. The increase in the brand image of the company will
help the enterprise to create an innovative approach and growth of the company. Also, the digital
technology makes an appropriate functionality for the operations to attain the targeted goals of
the customers. Various steps and methods are been taken into the consideration to meet the
targeted goals and objectives of the business firm. Some recommendatory measures that can be
taken into the consideration for a workplace or the organisation are:
 Moving from the operational quantity to product quality: The Educ8 Group can use
the digital apps on marketing to enhance their functional or service quality. The digital
market has raised in the worth and approach on a worldwide level. The world is getting
online and moving to mobile devices (Clark and Creswell, 2014). Looking this as an
opportunity, Educ8 Group can increase their functionality and services on a worldwide
level by launching an interactive and accessible website and a mobile app. This will
result in the increase of the productivity and the revenue generation of the company.
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 Enhance and increase the mobile service: looking at the growth of the mobile market
and technology, Educ8 Group can also incorporate in it. The enterprise can opt for
launching its personalised apps and devices like mobile phone or tablet. This will
improve the growth of the innovative skill of the company and help the enterprise to gain
a better market share.
 Meeting the goals and demands of the market: the digital technology will help the
company to gain a better understanding of the market and develop an effective work
environment for the company. The digitalization of the enterprise will reduce the time
and effort along with the increase in work efficiency and reduction in the overall
paperwork (Selwyn, 2014). It also saves time and make the business processes as more
convenient Also, this will help the Educ8 Group to protect their privacy and personal
data more effectively.
Thus, we can say that the rise in the operational ability and innovative approach of the company
will help the Educ8 group to perform well in the market which will lead the company to gain a
better market share and revenue generation. This will also make the company well adorned to
contribute in the economic growth of the country. It will help the company to gain the idea about
its operational functionality and help the enterprise by identifying its opportunities. It also helps
the company to gain a better idea about its opportunities and capability and will allow company
to make a plan accordingly to meet its targeted organisational goals.
Task 4
LO4
Reflection on the research process
While conducting this research, I learned a lot many things which helped me to
understand the factors and elements that are necessary to accomplish the projects and achieve the
targeted goals of the company. By this research report, I have learned that the enterprise must
develop a plan to implement the latest and appropriate digital technology in the organisation. The
appropriate digitalization of the organisation will help the company to set its target in a more
precise and systematic manner. Besides this, for a small business like Educ8 Group, the approach
of using the digital technology will be a great innovative step (Arts, van der Wal and Adams,
2015). Also, the Gantt chart and interpretations that are been used will carry a lot of information
and idea about the functionality of the enterprise. Besides this, the research report will also help
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the organisation to gain a significant knowledge of the customer as well as the market
requirements. The questionnaire implemented will provide us with the essential and clear idea to
implement the appropriate techniques and measures in the company by collecting the primary
data.
Besides this, I also learned that to collect the new data, we need more time to work on the
organisational management. The reason behind this is that not all employees or the customer of
the company readily participate in the research process and the decision making of the company.
Thus, a systematic review approach is been taken into the consideration. The critical path
analysis helps the company to identify many programs of business operations. I too faced many
difficulties in working on the current system in use which made the questionnaire preparation
very challenging task for me as it requires precise idea about the aims and ideas of the overall
functionality of the company (Matthews and Ross, 2014). Also, I had to clear my concepts about
various research techniques that are been implemented in the research. In addition to it I faced
problem with the sample size because of the sample size to cover the target market. Besides this,
selecting the right information derived from the research process is a major challenge that is
needed to be taken into consideration.
Template for Performance Review Template to be attached with the report by the
learner:
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: MANAGING
SUCCESFUL 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
Project report on management of successful
businesses.
Yes
yes
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management plan? yes
Any risks and / or issues
identified?
 Did you identify risks/issues
with a lack of skills required
for undertaking research
tasks?
 Did you identify any
additional risks/issues that
have an impact on the
project management plan?
Yes
Yes
yes
Problems encountered
 What barriers did you face?
 How did you overcome
them?
Data collection, validation and evaluation.
By effective use of various tools and
techniques.
New Ideas and change of project
direction
The use of mobile devises to carry out the
operations.
What Have I learnt about myself
this week?
 How did I feel when I had to
deal with tasks/problems?
 Did I find it useful to
complete the tasks?
 How well have I performed?
What did I contribute?
 What can I improve on next
week?
 How might this learning
apply in the future?
It was a learning experience.
Yes
I contributed by conducting the efficient
analysis of the data.
Application of new tools and techniques.
This will help in the better planning of the
resources in the future.
Tasks planned for next week
 Which tasks are priority?
 Have you set aside
sufficient time for
completion?
The evaluation of the various data was given
priority.
yes
Project plan status to date (on,
ahead, behind)
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Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and
date:
Template for Performance Review Template to be attached with the report by the
learner:
 What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
To give a brief analysis of the successful businesses.
 Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically,
please outline any evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes. We can say so on the basis of the evaluation performed. For
instance, we get to know the number of services that uses internet in
a company.
 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.
A variety of operations and evaluation went well in this report. On
the initial stage, we had no knowledge of the different factors
affecting the success of the businesses. As the research process
proceeded, we get to know about the various factors affecting the
operations and success of the business and tools to identify and
measure them. By the time of the project outcome, we evaluated
various aspects that affect the operations of the company.
 What problems emerged during the project and how were they
tackled? Was there timely identification of issues and resolution
during the project process?
The major issue faced was theh validation and evaluation of the data. This
issue was tackled by the effective use of the various evaluation tools and
techniques.
 What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I learned the various aspects of the factors that affect the operations
of the company and how to tackle them.
 How would you rate your performance as a management consultant
leading the project?
It was good. This task improved my skills of performing the better
management of the data and knowledge of various techniques and
tools.
 What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
Strength: Better IT skills.
Weaknesses: Need to improve the evaluation skills.
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 How will this inform and support your continuous professional
development?
The various processes will be taken into the consideration of the for
the improvement and support of the professional development that
helped me to manage the operations and evaluation process.
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