Managing a Successful Business Project - Marks and Spencer Assignment

Managing a successful
business project

INTRODUCTION
Economic process is referred as process where there is consolidation and fundamental
interaction among institution, group and governance worldwide (Brady and Davies, 2014). This
has grown because of advance in connection and transportation system technology. The
emergence in worldwide fundamental interaction helps in growing at world ideas, commerce and
civilisation. It also concern on services, products, root of application, capital and information. It
helps in creating various possibility for enterprise to gain their market share and profits at
marketplace. The organisation chosen for given assignment is Marks and Spencer that was
developed at United Kingdom in 1884. This is multinational British retail business dealing in
clothing, home products and others. As per scenario given in report, it has created and market
their new summer shoe products and presenting at London fashion week that will be taken place
on 16th to 20th July September, 2019 where different firms will participate and present products.
This research work covers aims, objectives, project management plan and methodology. The
time structure has prepared for completion of project on given time period. Questionnaire has
framed in order to collect data and information along with advice are given for improvement.
TASK 1
P1
Background of Project
Marks and Spencer is multinational general and groceries retailer that was established in
1884 at United Kingdom (Cheung, Chan and Kajewski, 2012). This was framed by Thomas
Spencer and Michael Marks. It is serving their products in different parts of world. There are
different products which are served by respective organisation such as home, clothing and food
products. It has 1463 shops in different locations. More than 80787 employees are working for
providing goods and services to users. Marks and Spencer is focusing on introducing new shoe
products in London Fashion Week. The main feature added in product is that it is light weight for
users. Here, manager of Marks and Spencer has hire project manager in order to understand
globalisation and their impact on business. This summer week will be held in 16th to 20th
September, 2019. For that proper aim and objectives should be made for achieving results.
Research Aim
1

“ To find the significant of new product development for an organisation in order to
improve its growth opportunities”. A study on Marks and Spencer.
Research Objectives
 To develop basic understanding about the process of new product development.
 To determine significance of new product development for growth and success of Marks
and Spencer.
 To identify ways through which Marks and Spencer can improve its growth opportunity
in marketplace.
Research Questions
 What are the basic process of new product development?
 What are the significance of new product development for growth and success of Marks
and Spencer?
 What are the ways through which Marks and Spencer can improve its growth opportunity
in marketplace?
P2
Project Management Plan (PMP) is defined as writing documents which is utilised for
explaining each and every phase of task (Doherty, Ashurst and Peppard, 2012). This involves
documentation that leads in formulation of base line for accomplishment of fixed goal and end
results. The plan of project is prepared by project manager with help of team efforts and key
stakeholders. This is authorised and structure representation that defines about project executing,
controlled and monitored. It is the elaborated or compact of any plan. It comprises of different
element that has affected project plan such as quality, risk, cost, time and others. They are
described below:
Cost
This is significant components of undertaking idea through that all activities and work are
carried out by manager (Dutta and Bose, 2015). This is the amount that is required to conduct
research in proper manner. Cost plays effective role in functioning of project plan. The budget is
prepared for conducting research and carrying out work. Both researcher and organisation has to
set cost for completion of project work. From researcher perspective, cost required is 100 pounds
whereas respective organisation needs 180 pounds for completion of project work.
Time
2

It is defined as time period for completion of project and achievement of goal and
objectives (Goksoy, Ozsoy and Vayvay, 2012). In order to complete investigation on time,
research work should be begin in time for completing them in expected time period. The
researcher investigating such project requires 5 to 6 weeks for accomplishment of results.
Similarly, organisation takes 7 weeks for accomplishment of goal and objectives of assigned
project work. This leads them to achieve set outcomes of assigned task.
Quality
It is defined as standards which is set for performing research work. This is important
component that is needed to be decided before starting investigation. The primary and secondary
data are utilized in order to collect information and message for providing statistical information.
The data and information are collected by both researcher and organisation to complete assigned
project work. Here, researcher has to collect data from authentic sources so that accurate
outcomes is achieved by maintaining quality of work. Similarly, organisation can maintain
quality of work by setting through benchmark and total quality management approach while
performing work.
Risk
It is refereed as factors that creates negative impact of investigation. While conducting
project work, various risk are incurred and which has to be identified in advance so that proper
work is done. By knowing of risk, proper strategies and plans are made to overcome from them.
The investigator face various risk such as lack of time, human resources and funds. In order to
perform research, researcher formulate strategies and accomplish work on time period. The risk
can be in terms of quality, design and others which may or may not be liked by consumers.
Scope
It is regarded as essential components of project plan (Hacklin, Klang and Baschera,
2013). The scope of adopting primary and secondary research technique for respective report is
that, through this researcher able to collect authenticate and appropriate data which leads to
gaining proper outcome of research. Similarly for the perspective of organization this will help
them in adopting desire change related to new product development in order to improve its
growth opportunities.
Communication
3

It is important for research to communicate with team members and groups who helps in
performing investigation. With assist of communication, accumulation and message are collected
in effectual and businesslike manner. This helps in encouraging team for flowing of research
process. For communication, researcher has used different methods of communication such as
email, online mode and others so that project information is abstracted for collection of data and
information about market for launching of products successfully. Similarly, from project point of
view, there are different methods which are used for communication like group meeting, emails
and others. The best method is conducting meeting through online and offline mode and provide
guidelines for accomplishment of project work.
Resources
The different types of resources that are needed by researcher like funding, manpower,
proper books and journals for collection of data and message in an effectual and prompt way so
that end and objectives is attained. Similarly, in context of project perspective, different
resources are required for conducting research work such as money, skilled employees, adequate
time and others so that final objectives can be attained in effectual and prompt mode.
P3
Gantt Chart
This chart was designed by Henry Gantt in 1917 that is graphical representation of
project schedule that shows various activities and time for completion (Hillson, 2017). It present
bar charts that are used for planning of project and defining of tasks for completing it. This helps
in managing, monitoring, scheduling resources and task which shows timeline of project. There
are horizontal and vertical axis where tasks to be performed are shown at vertical and duration of
each and every activity are shown at horizontal axis. The main purpose of this chart is tracking
schedules of projects and providing illustration for it. This is prepared on basis of project where
time and activities are categorised as per their importance so that objectives can be achieved.
This assist in proper management of each and every work which is shown through vertical and
horizontal axis.
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5

Work Breakdown Structure
This is dividing manageable and complex work into simple, easy and simplifying way for
execution of project (Jeston, 2014). It is also called WBS that is used in system engineering and
project management. This organise project task into smaller parts, section and components for
attainment of end and objectives. The aim is to make complex and large work into proper
structure and manageable section. The objectives of such structure are readable and accurate
project, helps in cost and time estimation and others. This make project more productive and
easier for better result achievement. This is prepared on project basis where each and every work
is divided into small parts to achieve main aim and objective of work. Work break down
structure has made easy to categorise priority and less priority task for business and work is done
accordingly.
TASK 2
P4
Quantitative Research
6

This is a procedure in which quantifiable data is analysed and gathering data performing
mathematical, analytical and statistical techniques (Keil, Lee and Deng, 2013). Its main focus is
on gathering numerical information and analysing them. Data can be collected by structured
techniques such as online surveys, questionnaires and interviews and arranged in form of tables,
graphs, charts and figures. The designs of quantitative research are either descriptive or
experimental. The main aim of this research is to count and classify features and models of
statistics and explaining them in figures.
Qualitative Research
It is a method used to collect data which refers to meanings, definitions, characteristics,
symbols and description not numerical data (Martini, Pareto and Bosch, 2013). Its main focus is
on why people think and do so. This method describes the way where research uncover the
behaviour, facts and perception of sample customers. In-depth interview, focus groups, case
study, record keeping etc. are the methods for qualitative research. The techniques used in data
collection are unstructured or semi structured.
The suitable research chosen for work is qualitative as it collect data and information in
depth which provide accurate results.
Primary Research
This is the way that is used for data collection where collected by their own, not from any
other source. The data collected in this research is a raw data which is not used earlier. This data
is gathered first time by the researcher through sampling, questionnaires, interviews and others.
Primary research is that one where fresh data is collected or data which is collected for the first
time. It cost more than secondary because data collection is done by several methods which costs
money.
Secondary Research
This refers to that one where data and informations are collected from primary sources.
In this research, information are extracted from newspapers, books, encyclopedias, articles etc.
Secondary research is also known as desk research of existing data. Existing data is gathered
from primary sources and collated to achieve desired objectives effectively. This research cost
less than primary research as information has to be gathered from existing sources.
After analysis of both data collection method, it has concluded that primary method of
information collection has been selected as it provide accurate data and information.
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Sampling
It is a process of data collection by examining selected numbers of individuals from total
number of population (Serra and Kunc, 2015). Population is group of individuals with
similarities. The researchers has to select predetermined number of individuals as 'sample' for
collection of data is known as Sampling. It helps to make activity manageable and convenient for
the research. Sampling includes samples, its size, frame and techniques. The different kinds of
sampling method includes probability and non probability sampling.
Sample Size
It refers to the number of individuals selected for observation used in a survey or any
experiment (Thamhain, 2013). Sample size is mostly represented by variable 'n'. The sample size
is mainly based upon the cost of a project, time period or convenience for collecting data. The
sample size of this research is 30. The respondents of questionnaire are employees of
organisation.
Questionnaire
This is defined as method of research that is in use to collect and assembling information
from samples from population. It is defined as a research instrument object is to collect
information from samples or respondents which is consist of set of questions or others aspects.
The questions in a questionnaire reflects the research purpose and motive which can be both
qualitative as well as quantitative in nature. The questionnaire is as follows:
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Contact:
Address:
Q1 Do you have an idea about concept of new product development at market place?
a. Yes
b. No
Q2 What are the factors which are considered by Marks and Spencer while launching new
product in market?
a. Price of product
b. Feature and design of product
8

c. Consumer need and requirement
d. All of the above
Q3 Do you think consumers are interested in purchasing new product of Marks and
Spencer?
a. Highly interested
b. Moderate interested
c. Low interested
d. No interested
Q4 Do you think Marks and Spencer requires promotional tools and techniques for
launching new product?
a. Yes
b. No
Q5 What are the significance of new product development for growth and success of
Marks and Spencer?
a. Earning profits
b. Increasing market share
c. Creating high brand value
Q6 What are the ways through which Marks and Spencer can promote their product in
target market?
a. Offline mode
b. Online advertisements
c. Both of them
Q7 What are the features added in new shoes launched by Marks and Spencer for
attracting consumers?
a. Unique design
b. Reasonable price
c. Comfortable to wear
d. All of them
Q8 Who can be the major rivalry of Marks and Spencer while introducing their new
products in London Fashion week?
a. Zara
9

b. M&S
c. Gucci
Q9 Do you think introducing new shoe in London Fashion Week can provide maximum
opportunity to Marks and Spencer?
Q10 Any suggestion and recommendation would you like to give to Marks and Spencer.
TASK 3
P5
Theme 1
Q1 Do you have an idea about concept of new product development at
market place?
Frequency
a. Yes 22
b. No 8
Interpretation
The new product development is way of bringing new products in market. This helps in
increasing profits and gains for organisation. From the above diagram, it has been concluded that
out of 30 respondents 22 have idea of new product development whereas remaining 8 has no idea
about the same. They have provided about new product development.
10
22
8
a. Yes
b. No

Theme 2
Q2 What are the factors which are considered by Marks and Spencer while
launching new product in market?
Frequency
a. Price of product 8
b. Feature and design of product 7
c. Consumer need and requirement 10
d. All of the above 5
Interpretation
There are various factors which are to be considered by Marks and Spencer while
launching new product in market. While doing analysis, it has been concluded that out of 30
respondents 8 said price of product, 7 favours for feature and design of product, 10 said
consumer need and requirement and remaining 5 favours for all the above.
Theme 3
Q3 Do you think consumers are interested in purchasing new product of
Marks and Spencer?
Frequency
11
a. Price of product
b. Feature and design of product
c. Consumer need and requirement
d. All of the above
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
8
7
10
5 Column B

a. Highly interested 15
b. Moderate interested 5
c. Low interested 5
d. No interested 5
Interpretation
There are various type of consumers which are interested in purchasing new product
development of Marks and Spencer. From the above diagram, it has been said that out of 30
respondents 15 were highly interested, 5 were moderate interested, 5 were low interested and
remaining 5 were not interested at all.
Theme 4
Q4 Do you think Marks and Spencer requires promotional tools and
techniques for launching new product?
Frequency
a. Yes 18
b. No 12
12
15
5
5
5
a. Highly interested
b. Moderate
interested
c. Low interested
d. No interested

Interpretation
For launching of new product in market, it is very essential for Marks and Spencer to use
promotional tools and techniques. From above diagram, it can be said that out of 30 participants
18 favours for promotional tools and techniques and remaining 12 participants does not favour
for the same statements.
Theme 5
Q5 What are the significance of new product development for growth and
success of Marks and Spencer?
Frequency
a. Earning profits 12
b. Increasing market share 8
c. Creating high brand value 10
Interpretation
There are various significance of new product development for growth and success of
Marks and Spencer which helps in achievement of goal and objectives. While doing analysis, it
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a. Yes b. No
0
5
10
15
20 18
12
Column B
12
8
10 a. Earning profits
b. Increasing market
share
c. Creating high brand
value

has found that out of 30 participants 12 consider earning profits as important factors, 8 favour for
increasing market share and remaining 10 for creation of high brand value.
Theme 6
Q6 What are the ways through which Marks and Spencer can promote
their product in target market?
Frequency
a. Offline mode 7
b. Online advertisements 15
c. Both of them 8
Interpretation
There are various ways through which Marks and Spencer can promote their product in
target market. This includes offline and online advertisements. From the above diagram, it has
been concluded that out of 30 respondents 7 favour for offline mode, 15 for online
advertisements and remaining 8 favours both of them.
Theme 7
Q7 What are the features added in new shoes launched by Marks and
Spencer for attracting consumers?
Frequency
a. Unique design 6
b. Reasonable price 10
14
7
15
8
a. Offline mode
b. Online advertisements
c. Both of them

c. Comfortable to wear 8
d. All of them 6
Interpretation
In order to develop new product in market, it is very essential for business to add new
feature in it so that maximum profits can be gain. The above mentioned picture represents that
out of 30 respondents 6 prefer unique design, 10 want reasonable price, 8 favours for
comfortability and remaining 6 favours all of the above.
Theme 8
Q8 Who can be the major rivalry of Marks and Spencer while introducing
their new products in London Fashion week?
Frequency
a. Zara 10
b. M&S 10
c. Gucci 10
15
a. Unique design
b. Reasonable price
c. Comfortable to wear
d. All of them
0
2
4
6
8
10
6
10
8
6
Column B

Interpretation
Each and every organisation has to face competition in market where various competitors
are providing same type of goods and services. Here, Marks and Spencer is also facing major
rivalry while introducing their new product in London Fashion Week. The above pie chart
represents that out of 30 respondents 10 said major competitor is Zara, 10 favour for Marks and
Spencer and remaining 10 said Gucci. These all deals in same type of products and services.
P6
There are some recommendation which are provided to Marks and Spencer for launching
new summer shoes in London Fashion Weeks. They are described below:
 Marks and Spencer is high leading brand in market, therefore for their new product
development they can adopt low pricing strategies in order to beat their competitors. This
helps in grabbing attention of large number of customers for brand and enhance
profitability and productivity. From above research it has analyses that 10 of the
consumer prefer low prices products for consumption.
 It is recommended to organisation to adopt promotional strategy for creating awareness
among consumer for products which is supported by 15 respondents for online mode of
promotion tools.
 It is also recommended to Marks and Spencer to introduce new product for their
consumers where 15 of them are highly interested in buying new products and services of
respective organisation. Therefore, they should focus on introducing various new and
different products from users or consumers.
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10
10
10
a. Zara
b. M&S
c. Gucci

TASK 4
P7
This is my first project where I obtained various skills, knowledge, experiences which
helps me to grow my personal and professional career. I also came across various problems and
issues like lack of resources, funding, time and so on. From this undertaking activity, I build my
skills and knowledge like communication skill, team building and others. I also know about
weaknesses from such work and focus on improving it. In order to improve, I attended training
and development session and programmes. With development of such skill, I can easily perform
my task in effective and efficient manner. Therefore, I learned my new things and improve
myself for achievement of better outcomes. The main objective of report is achieved by working
together with all employees and staff of business.
CONCLUSION
From the mentioned assignment, it has been summarised that there are various
components which are required for conducting research in effectual and prompt mode. This
research work is based on development of new product with unique features at marketplace
which requires proper plan that includes cost, time, scope and others. Before launching any
product, it is very important to know about market requirements so that business opportunity can
be grabbed and consumers are satisfied. For aggregation of data and information, questionnaire
has prepared with help of methodology. There are some recommendation which are provided to
organisation for better results.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Brady, T. and Davies, A., 2014. Managing structural and dynamic complexity: A tale of two
projects. Project Management Journal. 45(4). pp.21-38.
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.
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.
Dutta, D. and Bose, I., 2015. Managing a big data project: the case of ramco cements limited.
International Journal of Production Economics. 165. pp.293-306.
Goksoy, A., Ozsoy, B. and Vayvay, O., 2012. Business process reengineering: strategic tool for
managing organizational change an application in a multinational company.
International Journal of Business and Management. 7(2). p.89.
Hacklin, F., Klang, D. and Baschera, P., 2013. Managing the convergence of industries:
Archetypes for successful business models. In Media and convergence management
(pp. 25-36). Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg.
Hillson, D., 2017. Managing risk in projects. Routledge.
Jeston, J., 2014. Business process management: practical guidelines to successful
implementations. Routledge.
Keil, M., Lee, H. K. and Deng, T., 2013. Understanding the most critical skills for managing IT
projects: A Delphi study of IT project managers. Information & management. 50(7).
pp.398-414.
Martini, A., Pareto, L. and Bosch, J., 2013, June. Improving businesses success by managing
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Serra, C. E. M. and Kunc, M., 2015. Benefits realisation management and its influence on project
success and on the execution of business strategies. International Journal of Project
Management. 33(1). pp.53-66.
Thamhain, H., 2013. Managing risks in complex projects. Project management journal. 44(2).
pp.20-35.
Tidd, J. and Bessant, J. R., 2018. Managing innovation: integrating technological, market and
organizational change. John Wiley & Sons.
Yeh, C. H. and Xu, Y., 2013. Managing critical success strategies for an enterprise resource
planning project. European Journal of Operational Research. 230(3). pp.604-614.
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Online
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<https://2020projectmanagement.com/resources/project-planning/the-project-
management-plan-pmp>.
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Appendix 2 Performance Review
 What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
The main aim of project work is to determine the importance of new
product development for an organisation in order to improve its growth
opportunities”. A study on Marks and Spencer. Here, project manager is
launching new shoe with low weight feature. This projects is framed for
knowing about new product development of organisation in order to
improve growth opportunities at market place. It is very important for
business to grow and sustain in competitive market by adding new
products for their users so that goal and objectives can be achieved in
proper manner.
 Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically,
please outline any evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes, the project succeed its aims because time framework has been prepared
to know about completion of project. The evaluation and assessment were
undertaken by manager to know whether work is on right track or not and
provided suggestion for correcting it.
 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.
As it is my first project work where I gave my full efforts and contribution in
order to achieve goal and objectives of project. All the things worked well as
time framework helped me a lot to perform work in effective and efficient
manner. With the use of time scale, I know about each and every activity and
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completed it. The stages such as initial inception, project activities and project
outcomes all worked in proper manner.
 What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled?
Was there timely identification of issues and resolution during the
project process?
The problems emerged during project are lack of time, funding and skilled
manpower. They were tackled by dividing work into priority basis and less
priority. Yes, there was timely identification of issues because I consult to my
tutor and guider on frequent basis and resolve them during project process.
 What did you learn from undertaking the project?
This is my first research project and I was very excited and enthusiastic to
learn new and different things. The project work is based on new product
development so I came to know about time, cost, maintenance of quality and
other for projects to be required. Through project work, I improve my
communication, team building, coordination skills for better work
performance.
 How would you rate your performance as a management consultant
leading the project?
Being the project manager, I would like to rate myself as 8 out of 10. As I carry
good knowledge about new product development and I can easily help other
for carrying out work for better results. Though this is my first project but I
was already about new product development stage and strategies and plan
required for it.
 What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
I easily identify my strengths and weaknesses from performance. The
strengths which are carried by are helping nature, supporting each other for
completion of work and dedicated towards assigned work. Similarly, the
weakness are in terms of lack of team building skills, problems in
communication and others which created problems in achievement of goals
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and objectives.
 How will this inform and support your continuous professional
development?
Continuous professional development is on going process which helps me to
improve myself on continuous basis for better outcomes. With this project, I
came to know about my strengths and weaknesses and focus on improving it.
The strengths can be made more strong and weaknesses can be improved in
order to convert it into plus point.
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