Project Management Review and Reflection

This document presents a comprehensive performance review template for a management consulting project. It includes sections to evaluate the project's objectives, activities, outcomes, identified problems, and lessons learned. The learner provides specific details about their role, contributions, and areas for improvement. The template also incorporates space for supervisor feedback and signatures.

Managing Successful
Business Projects

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P 1 Project aims and objectives..................................................................................................1
P 2 Project Management plan.....................................................................................................2
P 3 Gantt chart &Work-breakdown-structure.............................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Small scale research...............................................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5 Analysation of research..........................................................................................................8
P 6 Recommendation................................................................................................................13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................14
P 7 Reflection............................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................16
LOGBOOK....................................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
Competition is increasing day on day due to the introduction of large number of
companies in marketplace. Each and every business owner is trying to prove themselves better in
comparison to their competitors. For doing same, they are implementing digital technologies at
workstation and attempting to increase their profitability along with productivity. The present
report is describing the impact of digitisation on the growth and innovation of small and medium
sized companies (Geraldi and Lechter, 2012). In this context, Continental Consulting Limited is
considered here and research has been carried on for determining the implications of modern
technologies on their commerce. This venture was established 8 years ago for manufacturing
latest equipments, computers. They are also providing services associated with Information
Technology (IT) at that time. Currently, firm is being headed by Mario Bindas who is at the post
of Chief Executive Officer. The aim and objectives of this corporation is described in this
project. For doing investigation, a proper project management plan is going to be framed by
researcher which will be covering aspects of cost, time, scope, risks, assets, quality and
communication.
TASK 1
P 1 Project aims and objectives
Topic: “To determine the impact of social media on marketing activities and sales
improvement: A case study on Continental Consulting Limited”.
Continental Consulting Limited is a popular organisation which is dealing with research
and business consultancy. This was working properly during the time of its establishment as the
owner was developing modern instruments, computer, IT facilities. But afterwards, business
scenario changed dramatically and their manufactured products or services get outdated by the
passage of time (Hall, 2011). The world become completely modernised by the rapid growth of
technologies and innovation. Although, Continental Consulting ltd. includes talented workers
who are having experience of more than 150 years, but they felt that their rivals are moving
forward. It has been seen that various other companies are coming up with newer and innovative
ideas which is a great challenge for them. Therefore, in order to hold a strong position in the
industry of IT, Continental Consulting Limited must have to upgrade their existing commercial
processes. If they will not do so, they will remain backward, in-fact may lost their business
1

forever. Hence, this is the responsibility of CEO to determine current necessities of firm
associated with information technology. In order to carry on similar work, Mario ordered
'Deputy Head of Business Research' and 'Section Head' to start innovation for finding out
requirements of their business. In this context, necessary action should be taken by them for
renovating as well as upgrading the facilities of corporation so that they can give tough
competition to their rivals. Thus, they started working together and created an aim as well as
specific objectives for the research that is listed below :
Aim : “To determine the impact of Artificial Intelligence on production and sales
improvement : A case study on Continental Consulting Limited”.
Objectives :
 To evaluate the importance of digitalisation in corporate world.
 To determine the influences of executing modern technologies on outcomes of
corporation.
 To ascertain the impact of Artificial Intelligence upon the business activities of
Continental Consulting Limited.
Research Questions :
 What is the significance of digital technology in business world ? What are the benefits of introducing Artificial Intelligence at Continental Consulting
Limited ?
 How to identify the impacts of Artificial Intelligence on production department in
organisation ?
P 2 Project Management plan
 It is important to prepare an appropriate management scheme before implementing new
techniques. This will help in predicting several information regarding business such as
cost, quality, scope, risky factors, communications, etc. These elements are considered as
soul of the project since without determining facts about such components, Section
Head and Deputy Chief of business research may not be able to create a successful
business project. The description about project management plan are following :
 Cost : This states the overall costing required for executing the project. Since company is
going to introduce a new technology named as Artificial Intelligence, they need to decide
proper calculation regrading entire expenses. According to researcher, average costs vary
2

between $35'000-$100'000, relies on the size as well as complexity of total project
(Harish and Kumar, 2014). At the same time, CEO of firm should focus on controlling
extra expenditure so that they can afford this price. In past years, this has been seen that
paper work was being used at workstation which is consuming high sum of money.
Thereby, owner should leave this strategy by directing their staff members to work on
computers. This would definitely save higher amount of revenue that can utilised for the
implementation of newer idea. In addition to this, lots of errors used to occur while
manually working on papers. Therefore after introduction of modern tool, firm should
focus on using updated software such as Ms-excel, Spreadsheet, digital calculators, Ms -
office & so on. It may assist in reducing faults and bringing error - free result. Besides
this, time will also get saved since employees would begin working on PCs (i.e. Personal
computers ).
 Scope : The scope of current project is extremely good as it is associated with digital
technologies and Continental Consulting Limited is also dealing with IT products or
services. They can use this report for long time since this is covering impact of artificial
intelligence upon the business activities. It is related to an innovative concept which is
currently being used by most of IT firms. With the help of this technology, referred
organisation can develop unique commodities and services easily in minimum period of
time.
 Quality: This is a vital factor that should be considered by every venture while designing
any project. Continental Consulting Limited ought to maintain good quality in its
preparation of a unique projection. If members working under similar task would not
show better presentation regarding quality, then it is obvious that they can't reach their
goal of creating successful business project. Along with this, consumers may also get
dissatisfied by the implementation of such a product whose standard is inappropriate.
 Communication : It is nothing but the action of transferring essential facts and figures
among all participants performing in a group. In context to this plan, mentors or team
leaders of refereed company should communicate each and every information associated
with determined scheme to all workers so that they become aware about similar data also.
This will enhance the level of understanding of entire people who are going to work on
that. The reason for doing the same is that no one is familiar with new digital conception.
3

Therefore, effectual communication needs to maintained within whole firm so that
possibility of confusion may be reduced in efficacious manner.
 Risks : When implementation of newer strategy is carried on, the probability associated
with occurrence of risk get increased drastically. This is risky to introduce Artificial
Intelligence at Continental Consulting Limited since owner had not applied such a
technology. But the number of contenders are rising day by day. It has been noticed that
these firms are providing same services and products to target market. Thus, referred
venture must have to face every risky factors that comes in the path of executing new
business plan. This digital technique will allow them to manufacture innovational goods
and facilities. It is to be noted that for detecting as well as handling hazards or risk, CEO
should create a risk hander team.
 Time : This is not an easy task to bring changes in existing business since large number
of obstacles may occur in way of modification. For example, some people would resist
the change as they find themselves uncomfortable in new environment. So, it is the
responsibility of section head to convince such personnels by making them conscious
about critical situation of their association (Kowalkowski, Kindström and Brehmer,
2011). In this context, time frame of approx. 1 to 2 year would be consumed for
manufacturing innovational products. Whereas for preparing suitable report, 2 to 3 weeks
is sufficient.
 Resource : Some of the main resources needed for doing deep research on mentioned
topic are human resource i.e. workers, monetary value, technological assets, etc. Each
objectives and aim can be accomplished with the assistance of these raw materials.
Furthermore, in order to begin the task of investigation, primary as well as secondary
research should be done. Regrading this books, journals, internet, authorised web – links,
interviews, etc. is treated as few more resources since these components may assist in
gathering vital information related to report.
P 3 Gantt chart &Work-breakdown-structure
Gantt chart help in carrying out research in an organised format. This shows arrangement
of entire activities in graphical form which help in understanding implementation of project
easily. On the another side, work break down structure is utilised for segmenting complicated
task into small parts. This aid in knowing about responsibilities of each member. In addition to
4

this, how much time is being consumed is represented with the assistance of work break down
structure. Researcher has framed proper Gantt chart & work – breakdown – structure for
mentioned theme in effectual manner which is presented below :
5

TASK 2
P4 Small scale research
In order to meet the agenda of current project, investigator should take use of appropriate
qualitative as well as quantitative research methodologies. Some of the methods which can be
utilised are listed below :
 Quantitative research : This is considered as important methodology as it is applied in
aggregating numerical facts and figures associated with the theme of project. By using
this process, team of investigation is able to collect data linked with production, income,
profitability, etc. of different competitors. Through this, they come to know about their
own existing condition of business in marketplace by comparing themselves with other
rivals (Hwang and Ng, 2013). As a result, company get also aware regrading recent
techniques used by those firms, hence they could apply the similar but in a different way
for producing unique goods and services. This help them in gaining competitive
advantages which may enhance overall profitability of venture.
 Qualitative research : This method can also be executed by deputy head of business
research. With the assistance of similar methodology, members of research team can
accumulate views and opinions of common public. Some of the common technique that
can be utilised here are discussion, surveys, interview conduction, preparation of
questionnaire, etc. This has been observed that almost all of the investigator are taking
use of qualitative research methodologies since it provide them practical information
regarding any topic.
Besides this, they can utilise various other data collection methods for gathering authenticated
facts related to project. These are primary and secondary researches. The primary one is
considered as fresh info i.e. such data has been discovered very first time by any investigator.
Observation, survey, feedbacks, questionnaires, etc. are few sources of aggregating primary
facts. On the other hand, secondary research is applied when researcher wants to take help of
existed theories and concepts associated with specific subject (Marston and et. al., 2011). It is to
be noted that very less time is consumed in searching authenticated information since it is
already presented by other scholars. Census, journals, magazines, past marketing records,
websites of government and libraries, etc. are used as major sources of secondary research.
6

For creating this project, both primary as well as secondary data has been collected.
Besides this, qualitative research methodology is being applied by researcher. In this context,
interviews of consumers and workers has been taken for knowing about their ideas and opinions.
Questionnaire has been designed afterwards in appropriate manner. It is to be noted that sample
size of 30 is being used by investigator.
are described below :
Questionnaire
Name :-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Age :--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gender :----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q 1. Are you satisfied by the implementation of digital technology within Continental
Consulting Limited ?
 Yes
 No
Q 2. Which kind of modern technology should be used by referred organisation ?
 Artificial Intelligence
 The internet of Things
 Cloud technology
 Mobile technology
 Social media
Q 3. What is the impact of introducing Artificial Intelligence in sector of production ?
 Positive
 Negative
Q 4. Is there any relationship between digital tools and increased productivity of company ?
Yes
No
Q 5. What are the advantages of implementing updated applications at Continental Consulting
Limited ?
 Increment in profit
 Enhancement in production level
 Creation of innovational merchandises
7

Q 6. Can Artificial Intelligence contribute in improving existing level of sales of Continental
Consulting Limited ?
 Yes
 No
Q 7. Give your suggestion for the further development of corporation in future.
TASK 3
P5 Analysation of research
Theme 1 : Satisfaction of customers and workers in execution of modern tools
Q 1. Are you satisfied by the implementation
of digital technology within Continental
Consulting Limited ?
Frequency
Yes 20
No 10
Interpretation : Digital technologies support the growth and prosper opportunities of business
within an organisation through improving their procedure in more easier way. Numerous
organisations including small and large companies are employing distinct technologies in regard
of achieving the business objectives and standard goals in more efficient manner. Therefore, as
8
20
10
Yes
No

per the illustrated graph, 20 respondents has given their views in positive aspects of digital
technologies stating that execution of digitalisation within company is satisfactory for
Continental Consulting Ltd. On the other hand, 10 responders presented their views against this.
Theme 2 : Digital technique applied by Continental Consulting Limited
Q 2. Which kind of modern technology should
be used by referred organisation ?
Frequency
Artificial Intelligence 10
The internet of Things 5
Cloud technology 6
Mobile technology 4
Social media 5
Interpretation : Digital technologies are not limited to certain domain but has expanded in
wider context. There are numerous regions and types of digital technologies which can be
employed by an organisation so as Continental Consulting Ltd. As per the given statics, this can
be claimed that 10 respondents has suggested that artificial intelligence is more efficient
technology to employ by Continental Consulting Ltd. On the other side, 5 responders
recommended 'The internet of Things', 6 recommended cloud technology and 4 mobile
9
Artificial Intelligence
The internet of Things
Cloud technology
Mobile technology
Social media
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
10
5
6
4
5
Column B

technologies. Whereas, 5 of them proclaimed social media to improve communication and
marketing methods as well.
Theme 3 : Influence of Artificial Intelligence upon productivity of company
Q 3. What is the impact of introducing
Artificial Intelligence in sector of production ?
Frequency
Positive 25
Negative 5
Interpretation : As per the illustrated graphs and presented data, this is claimed by respondents
that Artificial Intelligence influence positively. 25 testee stated that this is assisting in the
production and other operation management activities. On the other side, 5 claimed that this has
negative influence on the organisation.
Theme 4 : Relation between production and implementation of digital tools
Q 4. Is there any relationship between digital
tools and increased productivity of company ?
Frequency
Yes 20
No 10
10
Positive Negative
0
5
10
15
20
25
25
5
Column B

Interpretation : As per the above discussion and presented graphs, this can be claimed that
digital tools execution is directly associated with the production of services and products. 20 out
of 30 respondents given their views positively whereas 10 responders are still against this
statement.
Theme 5 : Benefits of applying latest technologies in organisation
Q 5. What are the advantages of implementing
updated applications at Continental Consulting
Limited ?
Frequency
Increment in profit 5
Enhancement in production level 15
Creation of innovational merchandises 10
11
20
10
Yes
No

Interpretation : Digitalisation directs to numerous activities and practices claiming that an
organisation can avail numerous benefits to their operation through disciplined format. As per
the stated graph, 15 respondents claimed that artificial intelligence lead to enhancement in the
level of production and produced services and products. On the other hand, 10 testee stated that
this assist in the creation of innovational merchandise and 5 affirmed that this can direct to profit
enlargement positively.
Theme 6 : Contribution of Artificial Intelligence in upgrading performance of sales
Q 6. Can Artificial Intelligence contribute in
improving existing level of sales of
Continental Consulting Limited ?
Frequency
Yes 24
No 6
12
Increment in profit
Enhancement in production level
Creation of innovational merchandises
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Column B

Interpretation : From above based report, it can be said that most of the responders ( for
instance 24 ) are in support of above written statement and telling that artificial intelligence is
contributing a lot in enhancing existed level of sales level of organisation. They are able to
design innovational services and facilities. Thus, consumers get easily attracted towards such
merchandises and prefer Continental Consulting Limited for purchasing products associated
with Information technology. On the other hand, few respondents i.e. 6 are against this and
stating that it is not assisting in enhancing sales of venture.
P 6 Recommendation
By analysing above based facts and information and carrying out appropriate researches,
deputy head of research and leader of section working under Continental Consulting Limited has
suggested few more strategy. Some of them are described below :
 Venture wishes to regain their strong positioning in IT industry by defeating potential
competitors. For this, they have of seek attention maximum of customers and this can
only be possible when users get satisfied (Porwal and Hewage, 2013). In this context,
CEO of corporation should introduce artificial intelligence in business as it allows
creation of innovational goods and services at cheaper rates.
 Company could also implement social media for doing effective communication among
customers as well as workforces. Hereby, Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, What's app,
and many more can be considered since almost all people in United Kingdom are having
13
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
24
6
Column B

accounts on these applications. Team leader will be easily transfer required info from one
person to another by utilising single platform. Beside the same, these social media
platform also impact positively on promotion of company. For attaining or building
strong customer base, venture have to create its own website whereby they can post
images along with charges. It will give essential information about facilities offered by
organisation. Thus, civilians can decide and prefer them if they found such merchandises
attractive.
 Cloud computing technique should be implemented by Continental Consulting Limited
because it can assist them in storing, sharing and filing any kind of data on cloud. These
facts can be easily accessed by worker from anywhere if there is accessibility of internet.
By doing this, data remain safe and secure for long time frame. Thus, administration can
be improved in effectively and efficiently.
TASK 4
P 7 Reflection
I have made appropriate aims and objectives of this report for starting the research
activities. Afterwards, some questions come in my mind and I framed those as research question.
For finding out answers of those queries, I have arranged an interview session whereby I asked
my queries with expected interviewee. Subsequently, questionnaire is being designed by me. But
while interpretation or analysation of data, I faced so difficulties in making graphs since my
technical knowledge is somehow weak. Although, I have completed similar task by taking
assistance of my class fellows. Besides this, I also suffered from lack of financial resources as I
am a student. To overcome this situation, I had taken help from my family members. Hence, by
giving my best efforts and valuable time, I have accomplished this research report and
discovered the fact that digital tools and techniques are giving overall optimistic impact upon
business of small companies.
CONCLUSION
By examining above mentioned report, it can be concluded that digitisation is playing an
eminent role in developing and expanding businesses of small and medium sized firms. But this
is depicted that its overall impact or result is the mixture of positivity as well as negativity. By
using modern tools and facilities, corporations are able to generate innovative products or
14

services. This in turn increasing the existing number of users since they get attracted by
observing such a unique product. Hence, consumer base is also getting strong by executing
technology like Artificial intelligence within business environment. On the other hand, due to the
introduction of modern techniques the standard of competition is increasing on regular basis.
This is influencing antagonistically on whole income of mentioned company as users receive
large number of options to move on. Thus, the sales rate got decreased ultimately. In order to
cope with potential rivals and maintaining strong position in market place, Continental
Consulting Limited requires to design unique services but at cheap prices so that all customers
can afford that. This helps in coping with competitors and gaining desired outcomes in very easy
manner.
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REFERENCES
Books and journal
Geraldi, J. and Lechter, T., 2012. Gantt charts revisited: A critical analysis of its roots and
implications to the management of projects today. International Journal of Managing
Projects in Business. 5(4). pp.578-594.
Hall, T.J., 2011. The triple bottom line: what is it and how does it work?. Indiana business
review. 86(1). p.4.
Harish, V.S.K.V. and Kumar, A., 2014. Demand side management in India: action plan, policies
and regulations. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. 33. pp.613-624.
Hwang, B.G. and Ng, W.J., 2013. Project management knowledge and skills for green
construction: Overcoming challenges. International Journal of Project Management.
31(2). pp.272-284.
Kowalkowski, C., Kindström, D. and Brehmer, P.O., 2011. Managing industrial service offerings
in global business markets. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 26(3), pp.181-
192.
Leach, L.P., 2014. Critical chain project management. Artech House.
Marston, S. and et. al., 2011. Cloud computing—The business perspective. Decision support
systems, 51(1), pp.176-189.
Porwal, A. and Hewage, K.N., 2013. Building Information Modeling (BIM) partnering
framework for public construction projects. Automation in Construction. 31. pp.204-
214.
Ryan, L. and Campbell, N., 2012. Spreading the net: the multiple benefits of energy efficiency
improvements.
Sharon, A. and Dori, D., 2015. A Project–product model–based approach to planning work
breakdown structures of complex system projects. IEEE Systems Journal. 9(2). pp.366-
376.
Awais Ahmad Tipu, S. and Manzoor Arain, F., 2011. Managing success factors in
entrepreneurial ventures: a behavioral approach. International Journal of
Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 17(5), pp.534-560.
Bakker, R.M., Cambré, B., Korlaar, L. and Raab, J., 2011. Managing the project learning
paradox: A set-theoretic approach toward project knowledge transfer. International
journal of project management, 29(5), pp.494-503.
Basu, R., 2014. Managing quality in projects: An empirical study. International journal of
project management, 32(1), pp.178-187.
Smith, W.K., Gonin, M. and Besharov, M.L., 2013. Managing social-business tensions: A
review and research agenda for social enterprise. Business Ethics Quarterly, 23(3),
pp.407-442.
Stoshikj, M., Kryvinska, N. and Strauss, C., 2014. Efficient managing of complex programs with
project management services. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 15(1),
pp.25-38.
Thomas, M. ed., 2011. Deconstructing digital natives: Young people, technology, and the new
literacies. Taylor & Francis.
Verzuh, E., 2015. The fast forward MBA in project management. John Wiley & Sons.
Viaene, S. and Van den Bunder, A., 2011. The secrets to managing business analytics projects.
MIT Sloan Management Review, 53(1), p.65.
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Online
Digital strategy and capabilities to win in a digitized world. 2017. [Online]. Available through :
<https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/global/home/what-we-think/digitization/digital-
strategy-capabilities>.
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LOGBOOK
Project Logbook for the chosen
organisation: Continental
Consulting Limited
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: Managing Business
Successful
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
In this research project,
work can be completed and
it is related with improving
and effective digital
technology can directly
affect on company success
and growth.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Any risks and / or issues
identified?
 Did you identify risks/issues
with a lack of skills required
for undertaking research
tasks?
 Did you identify any
additional risks/issues that
have an impact on the
project management plan?
No
No
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Problems encountered
 What barriers did you face?
 How did you overcome them?
It can be seen that high
level can be compare for
lacking of timing and
various other financial
resources.
I need reached at the
termination outcome and
with the help of staff
members along with team
leaders. I
New Ideas and change of project
direction
For enhancing in the
presentation of employees,
it is necessary for firm is to
conduct various techniques
and methods that are
required.
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?
I was puzzling at this time.
Yes
For acquiring help and
effective feedback that I
have to perform in better
manner.
I will work on to solve all
major problems and issues
regarding betterment in my
skills and capabilities.
Tasks planned for next week
 Which tasks are priority? Collection of data
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 Have you set aside sufficient
time for completion?
Yes, I got adequate instance
Project plan status to date (on,
ahead, behind)
Up to date
Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and
date:
Template for Performance Review
Template to be attached with the
report by the learner:
 What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
The project can be determine as special points that are mainly
presented in this project.
 Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know?
Specifically, please outline any evaluation and assessment
undertaken.
Yes, the main objective of specific report which digital technology
require to maintain ad manage all business operations for gaining
high growth.
 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.
I require to done all major activities according to the
development of such surveys which can assist in achieving
specific report in better way.
 What problems emerged during the project and how were they
tackled? Was there timely identification of issues and resolution
20

during the project process?
It is very difficult procedure that includes interpretation which
assist in achieving desired goals and objectives in given time
frame.
 What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I has been learnt that how to analyze required information and
figures by using proper process of communicating in an
organization.
 How would you rate your performance as a management
consultant leading the project?
I will given rate 8 out of 10.
 What strengths and weakness of your performance did you
identify?
There are some capability of mine such as hard working and on
the other hand, other disadvantages is lack of communication
quality.
 How will this inform and support your continuous professional
development?
It will help in conducting research and such type of business
report for my career which are associated with such type of
project.
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