Managing Successful Business Projects

This document discusses the impact of digital technology on small business growth and innovation, specifically focusing on Continental Consulting Limited. It explores the aim and objectives of the research, the project management plan, work breakdown structure, and Gantt chart. It also discusses the execution of small-scale research using qualitative and quantitative research methods.

MANAGING SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECTS

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................3
P1. Aim and objectives of research ......................................................................3
P2. Project management plan ...............................................................................4
P3. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart....................................................6
LO 2 ................................................................................................................................................8
P4. Executing small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative
research methods...................................................................................................8
LO 3...............................................................................................................................................12
P5. Data analysis .................................................................................................12
P6. Communicating appropriate recommendations ............................................18
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................19
P7. Reflection .....................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
Technology provides different tools which can be used by an entrepreneur of small
medium enterprise for fostering growth. Digitization has provided an organization with various
development opportunities. Growth in digital technology has supported small medium enterprise
an opportunity to reach wide number of customers and provide them with information about the
new product or services launched by company. It has allowed business entities to facilitate
innovation with limited resources and budget. Business owner of small medium enterprise needs
to concentrate on innovation which can be done with the support of digital technology. With the
passage of time, Digitization has become important in order to develop successful as well as
suitable business. An entrepreneur of small business enterprise need for utilizing digital platform
in order to yield maximum benefit. Digital technology has positive impact on the growth of small
firm. The purpose of report is to analyze the effect of digital technology supporting small
business growth and innovation in context with Continental Consulting Limited.
LO 1
P1. Aim and objectives of research
Background of the study
Emergence of digital technology has provided various business opportunities to small
medium enterprise through which an organization can increase sales and profitability.
Digitalisation has helped an enterprise in fostering growth as well as achieving success (Selwyn,
2014). Digital technology has provided business entities with a chance to facilitate innovation
with limited budget and resources. It is very much essential for business entrepreneur to adopt
the technology as per trend, as this will help an organization in providing high level of
satisfaction to customers (Parsons, 2013). Digital technology supports firm in increasing the
sustainability in highly competitive business environment. Business entity by facilitating
innovation with support of advance technology can gain competitive advantage in market.
Digitization has contributed a lot for supporting small medium, enterprise in accomplishing
different business objectives. Implementation of digital technology is important in terms of
converting opportunities into profitable revenue which is further essential for business expansion
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(Giesen,Riddleberger and Bell, 2010). It is required by business entrepreneur for Continental
Consulting Limited organization to concentrate on facilitating innovation, as this is the factor
which will drive business entity towards achievement of success and fostering growth (Bulgurcu,
Cavusoglu and Benbasat, 2010). In addition to this digitization, it supports every organization
and considered to be important determinant of productivity as well as long term growth. By
employing the digital technology at workplace, small medium enterprise can reach productivity
levels above those of large companies. Innovation is considered to be as a growth strategy
adopted by small medium enterprise (Goksoy, Ozsoy and Vayvay, 2012). In addition to this
Digitization accelerates the diffusion of knowledge and enables an organization to bring drastic
as well as positive improvement in business model. It also supports firm to expand business and
foster growth rapidly.
Aim Of research: To analyses the impact of digital technology, supporting small business
growth as well as innovation – A study on Continental consulting Limited
Objective of investigation:
· To develop the understanding about impact of digital technology on growth of
Continental consulting Limited.
· To analyze the way digital technology is supporting small medium enterprise in fostering
growth.
· To access the use of digital technology by firm in facilitating innovation.
· To suggest the strategies which can be utilised by Continental consulting Limited
company for fostering growth and developing new products.
Research questions
· What impact digital technology have on the growth of Continental Consulting Limited?
· How digital technology have supported Continental Consulting Limited Company in
facilitating innovation?
· Why business entity should implement digital technology at workplace?
P2. Project management plan
Project management plan is important to be developed by scholar before conducting the
research. It supports researcher in identifying the activities which are required to be performed in
order to accomplish desired aims and objectives. Project management plan helps investigator in
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identifying the risk as well as challenges or issues which might occur in investigation. The
project management plan covers following aspects such as:
Cost: This includes the expenses which is incurred in order to develop new process or
system which might not result into commercially viable items. Cost in research also includes the
expenditure which are required to be made in order to conduct investigation in systematic
manner (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). Expenses are generally incurred in purchasing the
resources needed for executing different research activities. Costs can be defined as funds
required to be invested in for facilitating survey on specific topic. Expenses associated with
conducting investigation are salary to research assistant, stationery, purchase of equipment for
the project, traveling cost, etc. Estimated Cost which are required to be incurred on study is total
£280,200.
Quality: It is considered to be as the basis requirement of research project. Quality
assurance is integral to the success of investigation. Scholar performance is completely judged
on the basis of quality of work done by them during survey. Maintaining as well as monitoring
the quality during an investigation procedure is considered to be as best practices. Quality is to
be ensured when collecting as well as presenting the information. This factor has direct as well
as significant influence on results as well as decision made by investigator. Quality of data or
information is continuously monitored and ensured right from start of the research cycle.
Risk: It can be defined as probability or chances of possible harms implied by
participation in the research. Risk might include the threat of losses faced by participants when
becoming a part of investigation procedure. The Ethical risks are involved in executing the
investigation. Another types of risk involved in executing investigation is chances of conflicts
between the participants involved in investigation procedure. As in present research, some facts
as well as information will be collected through secondary sources there are chances of risk for
Plagiarized material. Research data falsified with this type of risk might arise due to lack of
participant interest in research project.
Scope: It is the part of project planning which includes determination as well as
documentation of goals as well as deliverable. In other words, Scope includes the description
about certain targets or outcome which required to be achieved by facilitating investigation on
specific topic. Scope also involves details about the activities which are to be executed during a
survey. In present study, due to limited resources as well as time, only few activities will be
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performed by scholar which includes collection, analyses, interpretation or presentation of
information.
Time: It is the most important factor in project management plan. In research every
activity is dependent on each other. All the tasks are required to be executed in sequence. Each
procedure in research has a starting as well as completion time. Maximum time will be required
in collection of data. The total time required to complete present study is maximum four to six
months.
Communication: In order to execute research in systematic manner, scholar is required
to develop an effective communication plan. Some expectations are needed to be set and both
project team and client stakeholders have to fulfill their responsibilities during investigation.
Communication in project management plan includes detail about the ways or techniques which
will be used by members for delivering or sharing information throughout investigation process.
Communication in research is all about alignment on goals and milestones. It is very much
important for project manager to inform stakeholders about the changes in a project plan.
Effective communication assists project manager in making strategic decisions.
Resources: These are the important elements in project management plan. It includes all
detail about methods or techniques which will be used for allocating resources. As success of
research project is completely based on the ways resources are allocated (Papke-Shields and
Boyer-Wright, 2017). There are different types of resources required for facilitating
investigation such as capital, technology, equipment, communication device, human resources,
etc.
P3. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Work breakdown structure is considered as a framework which helps project manager in
categorizing the difficult and lengthy procedures into small units. It also enables manager to
reduce the work load and make task easier. It also helps members involved in investigation
process to develop understanding about each and every research activity.
Gantt chart is a graphical representation which consists of details about sequences in
which different activities will be executed during the investigation process. It also includes
details about staring as well as completion time of each task. In research all the activities are
interrelated, so little risk in a task can have great effect on whole project.
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Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Research project 79 days Mon
2/27/17
Thu
6/15/17
Development of plan. 20 days Mon
2/27/17 Fri 3/24/17
Selection of topic for
investigation. 9 days Mon
2/27/17 Thu 3/9/17
Analysis of problem 7 days Fri 3/10/17 Mon
3/20/17 3
Setting the time frame for the
allocation of resources 4 days Tue 3/21/17 Fri 3/24/17 4
Execution of investigation 52 days Mon
3/27/17 Tue 6/6/17
Writing literature review 12 days Mon
3/27/17 Tue 4/11/17 5
Selection of research methods 16 days Wed
4/12/17 Wed 5/3/17 7
Calculation of the costs 6 days Thu 5/4/17 Thu 5/11/17 8
Data analysis and
interpretation 18 days Fri 5/12/17 Tue 6/6/17 9
Evaluation of outcomes 10 days Fri 5/12/17 Thu 5/25/17 9
Project closure 15 days Fri 5/26/17 Thu
6/15/17
Stating conclusion and
recommendations 8 days Fri 5/26/17 Tue 6/6/17 11
Proper documentation of
results 6 days Wed 6/7/17 Wed
6/14/17 13
Submission of report 1 day Thu 6/15/17 Thu 6/15/17 14
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LO 2
P4. Executing small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research
methods
There are different types of research methods, philosophies, concepts, approaches and
design which can be used by researcher in order to execute investigation in systematic manner.
In present investigation on topic analyzing impact of digital technology on the growth and
innovation of small medium enterprise, scholars have used following research methods and
techniques:
Research philosophies: It includes the perception of different researchers or people about the
way investigation process should be conducted. There are two types of philosophy which are
positivism and interpretative (Flick, 2015). In the present survey, positivism research philosophy
has been used by investigator. Scholar has used various theories and findings in order to test the
subjective concepts.
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Research design: It is very much important for researcher to select appropriate design as this
factor has great influence on the research outcome. Research design is considered to be as
strategies adopted by scholar for facilitating different activities during investigation. There are
various research designs which can be utilized by investigator for conducting the investigation
these are exploratory, experiential, explanatory and descriptive. In present study, researcher have
used exploratory research design (Zumitzavan and Michie, 2015). This specific strategy have
been used for facilitating investigation as it has helped scholar in analyzing root cause of the
problem. Exploratory research design has provided researcher a chance to explore research topic
and gain depth knowledge about the same.
Method of data collection: Data collection is important part of survey. There are mainly two
sources these are primary and secondary from where information can be gathered. In present
study, researcher have used interview as well as questionnaire method for data collection
(Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). In addition to this researcher have also utilised books,
journal and articles for gathering the secondary information.
Research approaches: It is very much important for investigator to select right approach for
conducting the investigation. Research approach describes the purpose of investigation. It is
considered as a plan which is designed on basis of assumptions made by investigator during
time of collection of information, analyze as well as interpretation of data (Rose, 2016). There
are different types of research approaches these are inductive and deductive. In present
investigation, scholar have used inductive research approach (Johnson and Christensen, 2010).
This specific conceptualization has been selected for investigation as inductive approach will
help investigator in developing new theories which can be generated from information gathered
during survey.
Techniques used for selecting sample : There are mainly two types of methods which can be
utilised for selecting sample from large population these are probability as well as non-
probability. In present investigation, scholar will use probability sampling with random sample
technique for selecting few participants from the large population. There has been 20 participants
that has been chosen, who will help scholar in facilitating investigation (Monsen and Horn,
2007). In present study, participants those who are working within Continental consulting
Limited are selected.
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Data analysis: It is considered to be the most important task in research. Data analysis include
refining of data in order to identify or access useful information. There are basically two
techniques which can be utilized for analyzing the facts these are qualitative and quantitative.
The selection of techniques is done on the basis nature of problem. Data analysis helps
investigator in reaching to the conclusion and supports in making appropriate decisions.
Analyzing the information is important in order to make report meaningful as well as easily
understandable by user. In present study, researcher have used Qualitative data analysis
technique. The reason for selecting the qualitative data analysis technique is that it helps in
making quick decision (Borghoff and Pareschi, 2013). Another rationale for selection is that
qualitative data analysis technique assist scholar in developing depth understanding about
research topic. It also supports researcher in discovering the pattern such as changes over time.
Qualitative data analysis technique also help investigator in developing the understanding about
possible causal links between variables.
Questionnaire
Name:_________________
Age:__________________
Occupation:____________
Q1. What impact digital technology have on growth of your organization?
· Positive
· Negative
· Both
Q2. Does digital technology helps firm in facilitating innovation?
· Yes
· No
· Don't Know
Q3.are you agree you with the statement that digital technology have positive impact on
growth of an organization?
· Completely agree
· Partly agree
· Completely disagree
Q4. Which are the areas where digital technology can be implemented?
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· Marketing
· Customer service
· Management
· Operational unit
Q5. Which type of digital technology will help business entity in bringing improvement in
business activities?
· Social media
· Artificial intelligence system
· Information system
· Accounting system
Q6. In which area an enterprise can bring improvement by employing digital technology?
· Overall businesses
· Marketing
· Operation
· customer service
Q7. What is the major issue faced by Continental consulting Limited?
· Cost
· Management issues
· Quality issues
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LO 3
P5. Data analysis
In present study qualitative technique has been utilized by researcher for refining of data.
In addition to this, thematic analysis method has been used for presenting the data or
information.
Theme 1: Positive impact digital technology have on growth of your organization.
What impact does digital technology have on
growth of your organization?
Frequency
· Positive 12
· Negative 3
· Both 5
Findi
ngs and analysis: It has been analyzed from the above information that out of 20, twelve
respondents perceives that digital technology have positive impact on growth of company. There
are five respondents who have stated that digital technology have both positive and negative
effects on growth of the firm.
Theme 2: Yes, digital technology helps firm in facilitating innovation.
Does digital technology helps firm in facilitating
innovation?
Frequency
12

· Yes 13
· No 5
· Don't Know 2
Fi
ndings and analysis: It has been depicted from the above data that out of 20, 13 respondents
have said yes that digital technology helps firm in facilitating innovation. There are 5
participants who have stated no for same question.
Theme 3: completely agree with the statement that digital technology have positive impact
on growth of an organization.
Are you agree with the statement that digital
technology have positive impact on growth of an
organization ?
Frequency
· Completely agree 12
· Partly agree 6
· Completely disagree 2
13

Fi
ndings and analysis: It has been analyzed from the above information that out of 20, 12
respondents have shown their complete agreement with the statement that digital technology
have positive impacts on growth of an organization. There are 6 participants those who partly
agrees.
Theme 4: Customer service is the area where digital technology can be implemented.
Which are the areas where digital technology can
be implemented?
Frequency
· Marketing 3
· Customer service 10
· Management 5
· Operational unit 2
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Fi
ndings and analysis: It has been analyzed from above facts that out of 20 respondent, 10 people
perceived that Customer service is the area where digital technology can be implemented. There
are 5 respondents who suggests that digital technology should be used in management
department.
Theme 5: Social media is type of digital technology will help business entity in bringing
improvement in business activities.
Which type of digital technology will help
business entity in bringing improvement in
commercial activities?
Frequency
· Social media 10
· Artificial intelligence system 3
· Information system 5
· Accounting system 2
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Fi
ndings and analysis: It has been found that out of 20, 10 respondents believes that Social media
will help business entity in bringing improvement in business activity.
Theme 6: Customer service, is the business field where an enterprise can bring
improvement by employing digital technology.
In which area an enterprise can bring
improvement by employing digital technology?
Frequency
· Overall business 6
· Marketing 3
· Operation 2
· customer service 9
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Fi
ndings and analysis: It has been analyses from above information that out of 20, 9 respondents
in customer service is the area where an enterprise can bring improvement by employing digital
technology.
Theme 7: Cost is the type of technological challenges that has been faced by Continental
consulting Limited.
What is the major issue faced by Continental
consulting Limited?
Frequency
· Cost 10
· Management issues 4
· Quality issues 6
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Find
ings and analysis: It has been analyses from the above information that out of 20, 10
respondents has stated that Cost is the major issue faced by Continental consulting Limited.
There are six participants who have stated that an enterprise is facing different issues related to
quality.
P6. Communicating appropriate recommendations
It has been concluded from the report that digital technology have transforming effect on
the growth as well as innovation of small medium enterprise. Digital technology has enabled
business entity to reach wide number of customers and influence them for buying products or
services offered by an organization. It has provided an enterprise that provides good experience
as well as high level of satisfaction to customer which is very much important in order to foster
growth. Study has also concluded that digitization encourages business entity to facilitate
innovation which further help an enterprise in gaining competitive advantage in the market.
Report has also concluded that the use of social media is mainly driven by strategic and
innovation-related internal motives. It has also been concluded that digital technology helps firm
in improving business performance. Assignment has also concluded that by implementing as
well as utilising the digital technology business entity can mark international presence.
It has been recommended to manager in Continental consulting Limited to implement
advance technology and concentrate on innovation. As product development or innovation
strategy will help an enterprise in gaining competitive advantage in the market. Another
suggestion to Continental consulting Limited company is that business individual should
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implement digital technology at workplace, as this will help firm in expanding business at
international level. It has been recommended to Continental consulting Limited to use social
media platform, as this will help commercial entity in improving customer services, In addition
to this social media platform will enable two way interaction and allows organisation for
providing response quickly to customers.
LO 4
P7. Reflection
I have learned a lot of things about digital technology. I have developed the
understanding about how digital technology assist firm in fostering growth. By participating in
investigation, I have gained Knowledge about the research approaches, methods and techniques
which I can use in future for conducting survey. I was able to improve communication, problem
solving as well as analytical skills. I have analyses that digital technology has made significant
contribution in driving continental consultancy company towards success. I perceive that, it is
required by manager in an organization for providing training to workers related to use of digital
technology, as this strategy will help firm in yielding maximum benefit (Saunders and Bezzina,
2015). I have learned about the importance of project management plan as well as has developed
the understanding about different strategies which can be utilized for determining chances of
risk during the investigation. Apart from this, for managing a successful business there are
certain factors which are needed to be analyses in order to meet the aims and objectives of an
organization. There are many issues which are faced by firms such as problems related to costing
for procuring inventories that are required for successful trade aspect. Also, there are problems in
managing every activities which are needed to be eliminated. Therefore, a perfect maintenance
of all department is necessary. There are various fields in a business where digital technology
can implemented such as in customer service that can lead to provide an establishment of
effective relationship with them which can be beneficial for Continental consulting Limited.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Borghoff, U.M. and Pareschi, R. eds., 2013. Information technology for knowledge
management. Springer Science & Business Media.
Bulgurcu, B., Cavusoglu, H. and Benbasat, I., 2010.. Process innovation: reengineering work
through information technology. Harvard Business Press.
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Giesen, E., Riddleberger, E. and Bell, R., 2010. When and how to innovate your business model.
Strategy & Leadership. 38(4). pp.17-26.
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). pp.89.
Johnson, B. and Christensen, L., 2010. Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and
Mixed Approaches. UK: SAGE.
Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H.R., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Monsen, E. R., and Horn, L.V., 2007. Research: Successful Approaches. American Dietetic
Association.
Papke-Shields, K.E. and Boyer-Wright, K.M., 2017. Strategic planning characteristics applied to
project management. International Journal of Project Management. 35(2). pp.169-179.
Parsons, A., 2013. Using social media to reach consumers: A content analysis of official
Facebook pages. Academy of Marketing Studies Journal. 17(2). pp. 27.
Rose, G., 2016. Visual methodologies: An introduction to researching with visual materials.
Sage.
Saunders, M.N. and Bezzina, F., 2015. Reflections on conceptions of research methodology
among management academics. European Management Journal. 33(5). pp.297-304.
Selwyn, N., 2014. Digital technology and the contemporary university: Degrees of digitization.
Routledge.
Taylor, S.J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
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Zumitzavan, V. and Michie, J., 2015. Research Methodology. In Personal Knowledge
Management, Leadership Styles, and Organisational Performance (pp. 27-34). Springer
Singapore.
Online
A simple explanation of the Internet of things, 2017. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobmorgan/2014/05/13/simple-explanation-internet-
things-that-anyone-can-understand/#124342351d09>.
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Template for evidence collection to be attached with the report by the learner:
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner:
Project Title:MANAGING SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PROJECTS
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved (Account for a minimum of six weeks with
dates)
➢
A research project on topic MANAGING SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PROJECTS
➢ Did you fulfil Task requirements?
Yes, by conducting in depth investigation on the topic.
➢ Are you on track and within deadlines set?
Yes , with the help of time management strategies I have been able to complete
my research project on time.
➢ Did you need to make any changes to your project management plan?
➢ Yes, The changes is completed based on the situation .
Any risks and / or issues identified?
➢ Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of skills required for undertaking
research tasks?
Yes, lack of knowledge about the research methodology. Lack of experience in the
particular field.
Due to ineffective communication skills I have failed to conduct interview.
➢ Did you identify any additional risks/issues that have an impact on the project
management plan?
Lack of resources and insufficient time are additional issues due to which I failed to conduct in
depth study on specific topic.
Problems encountered
➢ What barriers did you face?
I faced major barriers in collection of data.
➢ How did you overcome them?
I overcome those barriers by appoints other person for conducting interview.
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New Ideas and change of project direction
Technology can be utilized for collection of data.
What Have I learnt about myself this week?
➢ How did I feel when I had to deal with tasks/problems?
➢ I felt nervous.
➢ Did I find it useful to complete the tasks?
➢ Yes , as I got a chance to develop various skills and knowledge .
➢ How well have I performed? What did I contribute?
➢ I have contributed by providing strategies as well as which has lead o
achievement of desired results
➢ What can I improve on next week?
➢ I can improve my analytical as well as communication skills.
➢ How might this learning apply in the future?
➢ I will use this learning for conducting further research on different topics in the
future.
Tasks planned for next week
➢ Which tasks are priority?
➢ Collection of data
➢ Have you set aside sufficient time for completion?
➢ yes
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and date:
Template for Performance Review to be attached with the report by the learner:
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1. What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
Research project on topic MANAGING SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PROJECTS
1. Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please
outline any evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes , feedback from superiors and clients
1. 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.
Literature review and data analysis has helped me in reaching to the
conclusion.
1. What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled?
Was there timely identification of issues and resolution during the project
process?
Problems in collection of data. This problem has been managed by using
the technology for gathering information.
1. What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I have gained knowledge about digital technology and the way it has
supported growth of small companies.
1. How would you rate your performance as a management consultant
leading the project?
I will rank myself 1
1. What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
Strength : some knowledge about research methods has helped me in completing the research
project in systematic manner.
Weakness : I fail to conduct interview due to lack of communication skills.
1. How will this inform and support your continuous professional
development?
Skills developed by me by participation in investigation procedure will assist me in personal as well as
professional development.
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