Project Management Plan and Review

This assignment is a comprehensive performance review of a project management plan. It includes a self-reflection section where the student evaluates their own performance as a project manager, discusses challenges faced during the project, and provides an action plan for improvement. The review also assesses the project's success in achieving its aims and objectives. The student demonstrates their understanding of cloud technology and its implementation at work, highlighting key concepts and lessons learned. The assignment requires the student to critically evaluate all aspects of the project, from inception to outcomes, and provide a thorough assessment of their performance as a management consultant.

Managing Successful
Business Projects

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Devise project aims and objectives........................................................................................1
P2 Produce project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk, and resources............................................................................................3
P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide time frames and stages. 4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods..6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.......................................8
P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations as result of research and data analysis.........11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................12
P7 Reflect value of undertaking research to meet objectives...................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Digitalisation at work place means performing business operations with use with use of
digital technology. It helps to convert paper work with digital-work using computer and internet.
Small business can be termed those associations which has less than 50 employees and operates
within specified geographical region. Digital technology can be effectively applied at work place
with the help of employees' engagement and training. Digitisation is the stream in which changes
are taking place in rapid speed. It has become curial for an organisation to employ digital
technology in regard of functioning operations as per market demand.
The report has undertaken Continental Consulting Limited which deals in consultancy
sector. The organisation is thinking to adapt Cloud technology in order to update obsolete
technologies and management system of organisation (Ajmal, Helo and Kekäle, 2010). Cloud
technology is helpful for storing and transferring data. In this report, there is discussion about
project aims, objectives, small scale research, information and data collection to draw a valid
recommendations based on research and at last reflection regarding meaningful research.
TASK 1
P1 Devise project aims and objectives
Digitalisation is rapidly changing the way of trading in commercial sector in present era.
In digitalisation, there is use of digital technology which helps to perform work frequently and
effectively. Use of digital technology affects working style because there is use of computer,
internet, software etc. so this gives more perfection to commercial operations. Cloud technology
is part of digital technology through which working of Continental Consulting Limited gets more
convenient. Cloud technology provides ease in working style in sharing and storing of data.
There are various departments in Continental Consulting Limited such as research, marketing,
customer services etc. and cloud technology can assist in administrating practices and storing
data. For instance, if some query arises by client to customer service department, then they
contact to research department by sharing data of client. Hence in this case, cloud technology
provides ease in sharing and storing data (Eckerson, 2010). It aids in easy management and
storing data in synchronize manner.
Title of project
Impact of cloud technology supporting small business growth and innovation. A case
study on Continental Consulting Limited.
1

Background of project
Continental Consulting Limited is the organisation which deals in providing consultancy
services. Managers of Continental Consulting Limited think that there working style is obsolete
and hence they want to apply digital technology at work place. Cloud technology is used as per
of digital technology which helps them to share and storing of data related to client. It is essential
that managers has to use plan activities properly through which they can accomplish their targets.
There is change in working style so it is essential to interact with workers. Digital technology
can be applied in business operations with employee's participation. There are possibilities that
managers has to alter their decisions in order to perform business operations in effective manner.
There is requirement of resources such as professional knowledge, cost, time, etc. which
helps in applying digital technology in effective manner (Freeman, 2010). Alterations in digital
technology is taking place with rapid speed, so it is important for managers of Continental
Consulting Limited to provide training to workers and upgrade their software. This helps them to
be in competition with other firms.
Aim of project
To analyse impact of cloud technology in process optimization and growth of small
business. A case study of Continental Consulting Limited.
Objectives
 To understand concept of cloud technology.
 To identify the role of cloud technology in optimizing process of Continental Consulting
Limited. To assess the impact of cloud technology in process optimisation and development of
Continental Consulting Limited.
Questions
 What is the concept of cloud technology?
 What role does cloud technology plays in optimizing process at Continental Consulting
Limited?
 What is the impact of cloud technology in process optimisation and development of
Continental Consulting Limited?
2

P2 Produce project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk, and resources
Project management plan is document which is legal and authenticate in order to perform
research activities in determined and defined manner to get positive result. This document helps
in planning, coordinating research activities in synchronize manner and aid project to starts and
completes on time (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). There are some components such as quality,
scope, resources, etc. which has to be considered in project management plan which helps in
managing operations and applying digitalisation in effective manner.
Cost- Cost is one of the important component while performing research operations.
There is requirement of computers, research activities etc. which is important in performing
research activities. There is cost incurred in operating business operations, maintenance, IT cos
etc. So with the help of project management plan, researcher can analyse cost while
implementing cloud technology at Continental Consulting Limited. It is requisite to identify the
expected expenses and set a budget amount. One of the main feature of implementing cloud
technology is that it makes the storage and transfer of data easy and at the same time reduce
paper work. Training might be required to perform operations in effective and appropriate way.
Basis Amount (£)
Operational activities 250
Research and development 100
IT Cost 150
Marketing cost 40
Maintenance cost 160
Total 700
Scope- Scope of digital technology is much wider as compared to other components.
These days with the help of digitalisation, business operations can be performed in effective and
efficient manner. While at the same time, it helps employees to work according to current market
trend. When Continental Consulting Limited work with cloud technology, then there is ease in
storing and transferring data (Meredith and Mantel Jr, 2011). This helps to provide appropriate
3

solution to customers related to their query. With digital technology, data handling is easy and it
can be accessed anywhere. It increases growth prospects for organisation.
Time- Time is also discussed in project management plan. Time required by researcher in
implementing cloud technology is discussed. Continental Consulting Limited requires 62 days.
In order to implement cloud technology at Continental Consulting Limited. Implementation of
cloud technology is quite a long procedure which require numerous practices to undertaken
including designing, managing funds, analysing activities etc. Cloud technology helps to store
data for longer time and it can be accessed at any point of time. This provides ease in working
style to employees of Continental Consulting Limited.
Quality- Quality is important in service sector. As Continental Consulting Limited deals
in management consultancy services, so it is very important for enterprise to provide solutions its
clients. There is difference in queries of consumers hence, this is essential for organisation to
provide best solution to consumer. With the help of cloud technology, data is stored in
synchronized manner and there is no confusion in delivering data. In order to identify quality of
project activities, different techniques such as benchmarking, Pareto diagram, etc. can be used
that can help to get positive outcome at last (Meskendahl, 2010).
Communication- With the help of cloud technology, it will be easier for department to
communicate. It eases in sharing data among departments and provide appropriate solution as per
problem of client. Project management plan provides knowledge about techniques of
communication among researchers through using numerous communication tools such as mail,
video conferring, etc.
Risk- Risk means possibilities of non-happening or non- occurrence of event. As per
change in market trends, there are possibilities that digital technology may alter. In this case,
managers of Continental Consulting Limited must alter their software. To deal with the risk,
managers can set standards and can use different tools to encourage employees to work well so
company can achieve set objectives.
Resources- Apart from above discussed components, there is requirement of some
resources such as employees, computer system, software, professional person etc. through which
research work can be done in effective and improved manner.
4

P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide time frames and stages
Work breakdown structure- Work breakdown structure is pictorial description of task
which has to be undertaken in order to complete task. This is hierarchy structure which provides
knowledge about distribution of project activities among department. Project activities involve
project aims and objectives, data analysis, data collection, data sampling etc. that are distributed
among different team. Work break down structure helps to distribute and organise project
activities in effective and appropriate way (Müller and Turner, 2010). While framing work break
down structure, it is responsibility of manager to first analyse objectives and then tasks are
planned in order to achieve goal.
Illustration 1: Work Breakdown structure
(Source: Work Breakdown structure, 2017)
Gantt Chart- In order to perform research in effective and appropriate manner, Gantt
Chart is technique which is used by researcher in order to show how much time will take each
activity. This is the pictorial description which breaks whole project in different task. As per
Gantt chart researcher has to perform activities, so there is positive impact on final outcome.
With the help of Gantt Chart, it is easy for managers to know flaws and corrective actions that
can be taken. Team mates also perform task within specified dead line. Time scale is part of
5

Gantt Chart which distributes time for various research activities i.e. important for team mates to
perform task within set limit (Polonsky and Waller, 2014).
6

TASK 2
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
Research is systematic investigative activities which are performed in order to analyse
and collect information about research topic. As Continental Consulting Limited wants to
improve their working style, firm has designed to adapt cloud technology which ease in storing
and transferring data. Managers are performing research which are important to know pros and
cons of working with cloud technology. There are two methods of performing research basically
i.e. qualitative and quantitative. .
Qualitative research- Qualitative research is conducted with the help of deep analysis of
social circumstances. This is collection of non-numerical data. In qualitative research, data is
collected through open ended communication. This research not only answers “what” but also
justifies it by stating “why”. Hence information collected from qualitative research are
descriptive (Newton, 2016).
Quantitative research- Quantitative research is systematic empirical investigation of data
through statistical and mathematical techniques. Online polls, personal interview, observation
etc. are some source which used in quantitative research. In this research, data collection and
analysis is done in numerical form.
Qualitative research method is used in present research as this help in carry out an in-
depth analysis of a research topic. Further this will help in covering every important aspect of
research.
Data collection is important component in order to judge final outcome. There are two
methods to collect data for research. They are primary and secondary sources.
Primary data- Primary data is the information which is collected from individuals
personally. Information collected from primary source is more authentic and significant because
7

this helps to know perception of individual related to cloud technology. Personal interview,
questionnaire are sources through which personal data can be collected.
Secondary data- Secondary data means information collected from secondary sources
such as newspapers, books, journals, etc. This data is less reliable as compared to primary data
because there are possibilities that information is old or not relevant. So, this might affect
decision making criteria of researcher (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017).
Managers of Continental Consulting Limited are thinking to adopt cloud technology in
order to compete with other firms. With the help of cloud technology, it is easier for workers to
store and share data related to clients and opt a convenient. working style. Quantitative research
tool is used by managers to perform research and data is collected through primary sources i.e.
questionnaire. Number of respondents are 40 employees.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Contact:
Q1) Do you have knowledge about cloud technology?
Yes
No
Q2) Do you favour cloud technology at workplace?
Yes
No
Q3) Do you think implementation of cloud technology is supportive for performing business
operations?
Yes
No
Can't say
Q4) What is the importance of cloud technology at Continental Consulting Limited?
Increase in brand image
Ease in working
8

Competent with other firms
Q5) What role does cloud technology plays in optimizing process at Continental Consulting
Limited?
Storing of data
Transferring of data
Filing of information
Q6) Whether positive or negative impact does cloud technology on process optimisation and
development of Continental Consulting Limited?
Positive
Negative
Q7) What issue may arise while working with cloud technology at Continental Consulting
Limited?
Lack of training
Lack of employees participation
Lack of funds
Frequent updates in software
Q8) Do you think training is required for workers of Continental Consulting Limited?
Yes
No
Can't say
Q9) In what time duration, company should provide training to its employees?
4 months
6 months
9 months
1 year
Q10) Any recommendation and suggestion for successful implementation of cloud
technology at Continental Consulting Limited?
TASK 3
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Data collected from research are analysed with different tools and techniques. Some
techniques used by managers of Continental Consulting Limited are-
9

Research design- Research design means presentation of research activities. There are
some activities in research, so way in which they are collected and presented is known as
research design. There are three types of research design, they are- exploratory, experimental,
descriptive. In this report, descriptive research design is used (Pinto, 2015).
Data analysis- Data analysis means performing activities to give appropriate description
result on the basis of collected data. In order to analysis data, thematic presentation is used. In
this, themes are developed on the basis of questionnaire. These themes are effective for briefing
questions.
Theme 1: Knowledge about cloud technology
Q1) Do you have knowledge about cloud technology? Frequency
Yes 15
No 25
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
15
25
Frequency
Interpretation- According to above mentioned graph, it is clear that employees are not
aware about cloud technology. Out of 40 respondents, 15 does have knowledge about cloud
technology. While 25 respondents are not aware of cloud technique and its usage.
Theme 2: Implementation of cloud technology at workplace
Q2) Do you favour cloud technology at workplace? Frequency
10

Yes 30
No 10
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
30
10 Frequency
Interpretation- From the above given graph, it can be summarised that 30 out of 40
respondents said that they were in the favour of cloud technology at workplace as it makes
business process more easy and faster. On the other hand, 10 respondents do not support the
cloud technology at workplace.
Theme 3: Implementation of cloud technology is supportive
Q3) Do you think implementation of cloud technology is supportive for
performing business operations?
Frequency
Yes 20
No 15
Can't say 5
Yes No Can't say
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
20
15
5
Frequency
11

Interpretation- According to above discussed graph, it is clear that implementation of
digital technology is supportive for operating business according to 20 respondents. While 15
respondents say no and remaining 5 respondents says they have no idea about it.
Theme 4: Importance of cloud technology
Q4) What is the importance of cloud technology at Continental
Consulting Limited?
Frequency
Increase in brand image 12
Ease in working 18
Competent with other firms 10
Increase in brand image Ease in working Competent with other firms
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
12
18
10
Frequency
Interpretation- As digitalisation is taking place in market very frequently, Continental
Consultancy Limited implements it for the sake of increasing good will, ease in working and
competent with other firms as per 12, 18, 10 respondents.
Theme 5: Role of cloud technology in optimizing process
Q5) What role does cloud technology plays in optimizing process at
Continental Consulting Limited?
Frequency
Storing of data 20
Transferring of data 10
12

Filing of information 10
Storing of data Transferring of data Filing of information
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
20
10 10
Frequency
Interpretation- As per above mentioned graph, cloud technology is effective for storing
data as per the 20 out of 40 respondents. While 10 said that it is effective for transferring data
and other 10 said that it is effective for and filing of information.
Theme 6: Positive or negative impact of cloud technology
Q6) State whether positive or negative impact does cloud technology on
process optimisation and development of Continental Consulting
Limited?
Frequency
Positive 30
Negative 10
13

Positive Negative
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
30
10 Frequency
Interpretation- there are possibilities of negative as well as positive impact of cloud
technology in performing business operations and growth of enterprise. According to 30
respondents, it gives positive impact while 10 says it has negative impact.
Theme 7: Issue arise while working with cloud technology
Q7) What issue may arise while working with cloud technology at
Continental Consulting Limited?
Frequency
Lack of training 15
Lack of employees participation 10
Lack of funds 5
Frequent updates in software 10
Lack of training
Lack of employees participation
Lack of funds
Frequent updates in software
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
15
10
5
10
Frequency
Interpretation- As per above discussed chart, there are some issues which arise in
implementing cloud technology at organisation. Out of 40 respondents, 15 said lack of training is
14

the main cause whereas 10 said lack of employee’s participation, 5 said lack of fund, 10 said
frequent updates in software. These issues affects working style of employees.
Theme 8: Requirement of training
Q8) Do you think training is require for workers of Continental
Consulting Limited?
Frequency
Yes 20
No 15
Can't say 5
15

Yes No Can't say
0
5
10
15
20
20
15
5 Frequency
Interpretation- As implementing cloud technique to work place is new concept so with
the help training, it can be applied in effective and efficient manner. Out of 40 respondents, 20
employees prefer training for learning. While 15 employees do not favour training, remaining 5
employees have no idea about it.
Theme 9: Frequency of training program
Q9) At what time duration, company should provide training to its
employees?
Frequency
4 months 10
6 months 15
9 months 10
1 year 5
4 months 6 months 9 months 1 year
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
10
15
10
5
Frequency
Interpretation- As per above graph, 10 out of 40 respondents said that training should be
offer to employees on the time interval of 4 months. 15 said that training should be offer in every
16

6 months, 10 said that on a time period of 9 months training should be offer to the workers of
company. Rest 5 give their point of view in the favour that training should be offer to workers on
annual basis.
P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations as result of research and data analysis
Above mentioned discussion shows that there is important role of social media in
performing business operations in effective and efficient manner. As changes are taking place in
business environment, it is essential for Continental Consulting Limited to implement changes
which is effective for growth of business environment. Above discussion present that there is
requirement of training of employees, so they can implement cloud technology more effectively.
There are some staff who are not aware about facts of cloud technology, hence managers must
plan conferences, seminars and other online sources which are beneficial for growth of
association. Training should be offer to employees on continuous basis so they can perform their
job roles accordingly at workplace.
There are possibilities that employees are not ready to work with new technique. Hence
organisation will requirement of motivational techniques such as monetary benefits, reward and
compensation etc. Managers must evaluate performance of workers so that they can judge entire
method of training. On the job training is one of the best method because it provides learning
with practical aspects. As updates are taking place in digital technologies thus there is
requirement of learning to employees after regular interval so they are competent to external
market. Issue of finance can be resolved by proper analysis. There are various external sources of
funds such as bank loan, venture capital, angel investors etc. through which managers of
Continental Consulting Limited can raise funds.
TASK 4
P7 Reflect value of undertaking research to meet objectives
This report taught me that digitalisation is effective for performing business operations
because there is ease in sharing and accessing data. I felt that with the help of cloud technology,
it is easy to solve query of client and decisions can be performed in more appropriate manner.
Cloud technology can be implemented in more effective manner by employees' engagement.
There is requirement of training through which changes can be implemented in business
operations and organisation is competent to external firms. According to my opinion, Training
improve skills and knowledge of workers so, I felt that on time job training is cost as well as time
17

effective because in this, employees can learn numerous findings while working. Training must
be provided after frequent internal say 4 months, 8 moths, etc. This helps to learn new techniques
and working style can be improved.
From this research, I learnt how to implement cloud technology as well as how to
conduct a systematic research. During completion of the study, I faced various issues for
example such as lack of respondents, lack of financial sources etc. Budget and time allotted for
me to complete the study was not sufficient but still I tried my best to complete the research in
order to draw relevant conclusion.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it is clear that while performing research, there is requirement
of setting aims and objectives that has to finalised. Digitalisation reduces paper work and use
digital technique such as computer, internet, etc. to perform numerous business functions. Project
management plan is used to assume about time, cost, quality, etc. related to project. Work break
down structure and Gantt Chart are two aspect which divides various task of project in different
teams helping to perform operations in more efficient manner. Qualitative and quantitative are
two methods of performing research and primary and secondary are methods of collecting data.
18

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ajmal, M., Helo, P. and Kekäle, T., 2010. Critical factors for knowledge management in project
business. Journal of knowledge management. 14(1). pp.156-168.
Eckerson, W. W., 2010. Performance dashboards: measuring, monitoring, and managing your
business. John Wiley & Sons.
Freeman, R. E., 2010. Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Cambridge university
press.
Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H. R., 2017.Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Meredith, J. R. and Mantel Jr, S. J., 2011. Project management: a managerial approach. John
Wiley & Sons.
Meskendahl, S., 2010. The influence of business strategy on project portfolio management and
its success—a conceptual framework. International Journal of Project
Management.28(8). pp.807-817.
Müller, R. and Turner, R., 2010. Leadership competency profiles of successful project managers.
International Journal of Project Management. 28(5). pp.437-448
Newton, R., 2016. Project management step by step: how to plan and manage a highly
successful project. Pearson UK.
Nicholas, J. M. and Steyn, H., 2017. Project management for engineering, business and
technology. Taylor & Francis.
Pinto, J. K., 2015. Project management: achieving competitive advantage. Prentice Hall.
Polonsky, M. J. and Waller, D. S., 2014. Designing and managing a research project: A
business student's guide. Sage publications.Verzuh, E., 2015. The fast forward MBA in
project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Rosenau, M. D. and Githens, G. D., 2011. Successful project management: a step-by-step
approach with practical examples. John Wiley & Sons.
Schwalbe, K., 2015. Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
Seddon, P. B., Calvert, C. and Yang, S., 2010. A multi-project model of key factors affecting
organizational benefits from enterprise systems. MIS quarterly. 34(2). pp.305-328.'
Shen, L. Y. and et. al., 2010. Project feasibility study: the key to successful implementation of
sustainable and socially responsible construction management practice. Journal of
Cleaner Production. 18(3). pp.254-259.
Online
Definition of 'Gantt Chart'. 2018. Available
through:<https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/definition/gantt-chart >.
19

APPENDIX
LOGBOOK TEMPLATE
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Continental Consulting Limited
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: 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
I have completed project for
application of cloud technology in
easing working style and business
growth of Continental Consulting
Limited.
Yes
Yes, I was on track and able to
achieve aims and objectives but I
skipped dead line because of lack of
financial resources.
No I need not to make alterations in
my project management plan.
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, I identified some problems which
affects research work such as lack of
financial resources in completion of
my project work.
Yes, some employees face problem in
language of questionnaire. This affects
my project management plan.
20

Problems encountered
 What barriers did you face?
 How did you overcome them?
Lack of financial funds, lack of
leadership are faced.
In order to resolve problem proper
market analysis is done by me and
then actions re performed with proves
to be time consuming.
New Ideas and change of project direction Employees motivational techniques
such monetary and performance
appraisal benefits are effective for
project.
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?
I feel dedicated and hard working
while dealing with issue.
Yes
I performed my and team's full
efficiency to get positive outcome.
I can improve my motivational and
leadership skill.
This learning is effective for my future
career prospects.
Tasks planned for next week
 Which tasks are priority?
 Have you set aside sufficient time for
completion?
Achieving aims and objectives is my
priority.
Yes
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and date:
21