Managing Successful Business Projects

This project explores the impact of digital technology on the growth and innovation of small businesses, specifically focusing on Continental Consulting Limited. It includes a project management plan, research methodology, data analysis, and recommendations for improving the company's performance. The project utilizes both qualitative and quantitative research methods and provides a comprehensive analysis of the benefits of digital technology in the business context.

Managing Successful Business
Projects

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
P1 Devising aims and objectives for the topic for completing project.......................................1
P2 Producing project management plan covering cost, scope, quality, communication, time,
risk and resources........................................................................................................................2
P3 Preparation of Work Breakdown Structure and Gantt chart providing time frame...............5
P4 Carrying out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative methods...........6
P5 Analysing research and data using relevant tools..................................................................9
P6 Communicating recommendations and drawing valid conclusions.....................................19
P7 Reflecting on own performance for meeting stated objectives............................................20
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22

INTRODUCTION
Digital technology has benefited small-scale businesses over past years. Present report
deals with Continental Consulting Limited which is engaged in business process re-engineering
and clients include small manufacturing firms in London. It has felt that its business has
decreased and rivals have beaten it. Report includes importance of digital technology which
supports growth of small organisation. Aim and objectives are made along with project
management plan. Furthermore, research has been conducted and data analysis made. Moreover,
WBS and Gantt chart is made. Recommendations and conclusion is made and reflection on own
performance has been done. Thus, research outcome is generated.
P1 Devising aims and objectives for the topic for completing project
Background
Digital technology is helpful in gaining efficiency in operational activities (Hernandez,
Prieto Martín and Ramalingam, 2016). Operations management is useful in business so as to
convert input into output in a better way. The efficiency in organisation can be achieved by
which overall profitability can be increased. In relation to this, digital technology has imparted
value to business in carrying out operational tasks. Present research is based on Continental
Consultancy Limited which is finding difficulties as it has lost business to rivals. Hence, overall
operations can be enhanced with the help of digital technology. Furthermore, digital
advancement has been fruitful for businesses in achieving results in a better way.
Aim
“To assess the impact of digital technology supporting small-scale business growth and
innovation - A study on Continental Consulting Limited”
Objectives
 To evaluate impact of digital technology on financial performance of Continental
Consulting Limited
 To identify the ways digital technology is contributing towards innovation and growth of
organisation
 To recommend ways for enhancing overall performance of Continental Consulting
Limited
Research Questions
1

Q1. What are the factors that contributes success to Continental Consulting Limited by
implementing digital technology?
Q2. Do implementation of digital technology contributes to ample of growth for small-scale
business?
P2 Producing project management plan covering cost, scope, quality, communication, time, risk
and resources
Cost-
Cost is a crucial element in the business so that it may be able to complete stated project
in a better way. It is essentially required because if actual cost exceeds budgeted expense, then
entire project is affected quite adversely (Brody and Pureswaran, 2015). Thus, project needs to
be attained in accordance to budgeted expenses. In relation to this, budgeted cost sheet is
prepared below-
Budgeted cost sheet for Continental
Consulting Limited
Particulars Amount
Server expenses 1500
Networking costs 1200
Internet expenditures 900
Sales costs 1200
Research & Development costs 1600
Software expenses 900
Hardware expenditures 900
Support costs 800
Total costs 9000
2

Scope-
The scope of project defines whether company includes activities required for attaining
research in a better way. Digital technology is a wide concept which provides ample of benefits
to organisation when it is deployed in normal operations. Project scope refers to result
accomplished particularly, when the same is ready to be delivered to stakeholders in the best
possible manner. Scope defines activities which are needed for completing project within
stipulated time. Moreover, present study has wide scope. Hence, it is an important element in
project management plan.
Quality-
It is another vital element in project management plan which highlights that company is
required to finish off project quite efficiently (Morgan-Thomas, 2016). Quality is considered to
be as important part of plan which is made for ensuring that activities included in project will be
done in an effective manner and better quality of work will be accomplished. If quality is not
appropriate, then project delivered would not be of utmost quality and satisfaction level of client
cannot be attained. The project quality will be taken into consideration and project could be
achieved.
Communication-
Stakeholders Information Frequency of
meeting
Method of
communication
Format of
communication
Project Steering
Committee
Top level
information,
requests for
funding, plans
and deviations
Once in a month Meeting formally Power point
presentations
Project Manager Resources, issues
relating to
technology,
analysing
Once in a week Communicating
in formal meeting
Agenda in formal
meeting
3

progress of
project at
operational level
Business
Manager
Sign-off, changes
to be made in
baselines,
business needs,
assessing
progress
Weekly Emails Power point
presentations
Project Team Risks involved,
schedule of
project, issues
and problems,
and providing
solutions
Once in a week Formal meeting
only
Formal meeting
Time-
Time is a main element in project management plan by which firm is able to complete
project in a timely manner. It is the biggest constraint found in research project. It is essentially
required that project should be completed within stipulated time so that deliverables may be
provided to customer. Deliverable project requires actual time needed for accomplishing it. This
is considered until project does not get delivered. Direct relationship is found between cost
allocated to particular resource and amount of requirement within time. Hence, for completing
project on time, researcher has prepared Gantt chart and Work Breakdown Structure and 21 day s
will be taken to complete project.
Risk-
There are various risks which can hinder completion of project on time. Risk
management is to be taken into consideration so as to carry out necessary steps taken by Project
Manager for overcoming risks and obstacles (Stankovska, Josimovski and Edwards, 2016). Thus,
project could be attained by Continental Consulting Limited.
4

Resources-
For accomplishing project, resources are required in good quantum so that project can be
completed in accordance to resources availability. Human, technical, operational resources are
some of them which are required for attaining project. Hence, scholar will be able to accomplish
stated project with resources in hand.
P3 Preparation of Work Breakdown Structure and Gantt chart providing time frame
Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors WBS
Research topic formulation 2 days Fri 05-10-18 Mon 08-10-
18 1
Producing aims and objectives 2 days Tue 09-10-18 Wed 10-10-
18 1 2
Making research about the
topic 3 days Thu 11-10-18 Mon 15-10-
18 1,2 3
Enlisting suitable research
methodology 2 days Tue 16-10-18 Wed 17-10-
18 3 4
Collecting data by using
resources 4 days Thu 18-10-18 Tue 23-10-
18 4 5
Examining gathered data 2 days Wed 24-10-18 Thu 25-10-
18 4,5 6
Interpreting and analysing data
for generating outcomes 3 days Fri 26-10-18 Tue 30-10-
18 6 7
Making conclusion and
recommendations 2 days Wed 31-10-18 Thu 01-11-
18 7 8
Final submission of research 1 day Fri 02-11-18 Fri 02-11-18 8 9
5

project report
6

Illustration 1: Network diagram
Illustration 2: Gantt chart
P4 Carrying out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative methods
Research Type-
The research type is an important element in carrying out research so that project could
be accomplished in a timely manner. There are various types of research such as qualitative and
quantitative which is utilised as per purpose of project (Ledford and Gast, 2018). Qualitative
method means that non-numerical elements that cannot be expressed in numbers. It is based on
theoretical framework. On the other hand, quantitative method as the name suggests, numerical
or mathematical figures are taken into account. In present study, both qualitative and quantitative
types will be used for completing project because scope of study is wide and outcomes can be
accomplished by deploying two methods.
7

Research Approach-
The research approach is used for testing the validity in that manner by which researcher
can attain project as per the purpose with ease. In relation to this, there are two research
approaches such as deductive and inductive approach which can be used by scholar in effective
manner. Deductive approach of research starts with formulation of hypothesis (Gabriel. 2013).
After this, tests or observations are made so as to accept or reject hypothesis so formulated. In
simple words, reasoning is done from particular or existing theory to general one in a better way.
On the other side, in inductive research approach observations and relevant theories are made
towards the end of process of research which is the ultimate result of observations. No theories
are applied at initial or beginning of research (Humphries, 2017). In present study, deductive
research is best suited for analysing impact of digital technology on small-scale business.
Research Philosophy-
The research philosophy is used for collecting data in a better way by which project can
be completed with ease. There are two types of philosophies such as interpretivism and
positivism which are used by researcher for completing project. It provides assumptions which
are included in research so that perfect direction can be attained. Positivism is purely based on
factual or numerical knowledge and as such, business is able to make proper analysis. While,
interpretivism uses all relevant data and gathers useful insights by interpreting facts. In present
scenario, interpretivism research philosophy has been used for assessing impact of digital
technology supporting small business innovation and growth in Continental Consultancy
Limited. It is chosen so as to garner factual knowledge which will be used to attain research
project.
Research Design-
The design of research is important part so as to give proper and concrete direction to
researcher in order to entirely complete project. In simple words, it is referred to as schema of
project used for assessing whether research is moving in proper way or not. Particularly, there
are various types of research design that can be used by scholar such as exploratory and
descriptive design for attaining project in the best way possible (Fletcher, 2017). It can be
analysed that exploratory is particular general in nature for producing useful insights about
project in hand. It does not provide answers to research questions but are used for exploring
subject. On the other side, descriptive research is used for describing specific elements in a
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manner which is useful for assessing outcome of project. Based on current study on Continental
Consultancy Limited, exploratory research design will be used as it will help to explore impact
of digital technology on small business supporting growth and success.
Data collection-
There are various sources of collecting data such as primary and secondary sources. For
present study, online questionnaire is used and circulated to 30 employees for getting their
viewpoints. It helps researcher to carry out data in a better way. Secondary sources are gathered
from books, journals, internet articles and related mechanisms for gathering data and scholar has
used for present purpose of research. Thus, primary data is used with the help of questionnaires.
Moreover, secondary sources are also used for achieving outcome by collecting data from
authentic resources (Alvesson and Sköldberg, 2017).
Sampling-
Data needs to be collected for attaining outcome in effective manner. Since, whole
population cannot be incorporated by researcher as it is a time-consuming aspect. In order to
overcome this, sampling is used. The sampling is useful way for carrying out the data by taking
into account only part of population which is representative of whole population. It saves time
for effectively attaining viewpoints of sample so as to interpret results in a better way. In present
scenario, since all employees of Continental Consultancy Limited cannot be taken into
consideration and thus, sampling is used of 30 employees. Simple random sampling method is
used in study for attaining research objective and assessing impact of digital technology on small
business supporting business growth.
Data Analysis
Analysing data is another important part of accomplishing definite outcome. There are
various methods for analysing collected data (Pagani and Pardo, 2017). In present research study,
thematic analysis is presented or applied for generating results in the best way possible. Various
themes are being prepared from questionnaire circulated to respondents and on the basis of same,
conclusion could be attained about viewpoints of workers of Continental Consultancy Limited.
In addition to this, graphs are made for representing data in an appropriate manner. Hence, it is
justified that through thematic analysis, proper data analysis has been done.
Ethical considerations-
9

Ethics are to be followed in order to accomplish project in a better way. The ethical
considerations highlight that all information collected from various resources are being gathered
by keeping in mind, ethical considerations. The information gathered from employees have been
done by getting prior consent from them and as such, it is collected in a better way. Moreover,
confidentiality of information is kept so that no third party may get access to it. Dignity of
participants have been prioritised and permission was taken for using information for conducting
research. Deception in relation to aim and objectives of research if any had been avoided. The
communication was done in transparent way with employees of Continental Consultancy
Limited. Hence, ethical considerations were being taken in attaining outcome of project.
Research Limitations-
There are various research limitations which hinders the outcome or result up to a high
extent (Vendrell-Herrero and Wilson, 2017). First of all, lack of availability of resources have
obstacle in accompany information needed for research. Resources were scarce by which results
were hindered up to a certain extent. Moreover, due to shortage of time, thematic analysis has
been conducted. Else, if time constraint was not there, then SPSS tool package could have been
applied. Thus, these were some of the limitations being found out in research.
P5 Analysing research and data using relevant tools
Questionnaire
Name-
Age-
Occupation-
Q1. Do you agree that digital technology plays crucial role in uplifting scale of business?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Strongly Disagree
 Disagree
Q2. Among following elements, which increases due to implementation of digital technology?
 Revenue
10

 Productivity
 Efficiency
 Profitability
Q3. Which department has positive influence due to digital technology?
 Marketing
 Administration
 Finance
 Operations
Q4. What benefits do digital technology imparts to small-scale business?
 Increment in sales
 Customer satisfaction
 Rise in productivity
 All of the above
Q5. Do you agree that digital technology incurs more cost than traditional methods?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Strongly Disagree
 Disagree
Q6. Do you agree that Continental Consultancy Limited is able to utilise digital advancement in
attaining operations?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Strongly Disagree
 Disagree
11

Q7. Do you believe that digital technology has helped in gaining efficiency in your own work?
 Yes
 No
Q8. Do you think that digital technology has paved the way for smoother operational activities
in Continental Consultancy Limited?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Strongly Disagree
 Disagree
Q9. Please advice any suggestions for improving upon services...............
Theme 1- Digital technology plays crucial role in uplifting scale of business
Q1. Do you agree that digital technology plays
crucial role in uplifting scale of business? Respondents
Strongly Agree 12
Agree 8
Strongly Disagree 6
Disagree 4
Total 30
12

Interpretation-
It can be analysed from the above chart that digital technology is helpful in uplifting scale
of the business as 12 respondents Strongly Agree from it. While, 8 Agree with the statement and
6 Strongly Disagree and 4 Disagree that scale is not increased of business. It can be summarized
that digital technology is important in attaining higher scale.
Theme 2- Revenue increases due to implementation of digital technology
Q2. Among following elements, which
increases due to implementation of digital
technology? Respondents
Revenue 13
Productivity 8
Efficiency 4
13
Strongly Agree Agree Strongly Disagree Disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
12
8
6
4
Respondents

Profitability 5
Total 30
Interpretation-
It can be analysed from chart that revenue increases of Continental Consultancy Limited
because of digital technology. While, 8 respondents believes productivity increases, 4 of them
thinks efficiency and 5 says profitability enhances of organisation.
Theme 3- Operations department has positive influence due to digital technology
Q3. Which department has positive influence
due to digital technology? Respondents
Marketing 6
Administration 5
14
Revenue Productivity Efficiency Profitability
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14 13
8
4
5
Respondents

Finance 9
Operations 10
Total 30
Interpretation-
It can be interpreted that operations department is scaled up by with the help of digital
technology. Moreover, 9 respondents said finance department is benefited. 5 of said
administration has positive influence and 6 of employees said marketing is highly influenced.
Hence, 10 respondents answered operations department has much influence.
Theme 4- Increment in sales benefit is imparted to small-scale business through digital
technology
Q4. What benefits do digital technology Respondents
15
Marketing Administration Finance Operations
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
6
5
9
10
Respondents

imparts to small-scale business?
Increment in sales 10
Customer satisfaction 5
Rise in productivity 6
All of the above 9
Total 30
Interpretation-
The above chart lists out that 10 respondents believes that sales are incremented because
of digital technology. While, 5 and 6 employees said customer satisfaction and productivity
increases respectively. Moreover, 9 believes all benefits are accomplished.
Theme 5- Less cost is incurred in digital technology
Q5. Do you agree that digital technology incurs Respondents
16
Increment in sales
Customer satisfaction
Rise in productivity
All of the above
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
5
6
9
Respondents

more cost than traditional methods?
Strongly Agree 6
Agree 4
Strongly Disagree 12
Disagree 8
Total 30
Interpretation-
The chart discloses that 12 respondents believes that lesser cost is incurred by
implementation of digital technology. 6 of them Strongly Agree and 4 Agree with it. While, total
8 workers Disagree that traditional method is more costlier than modern one.
17
Strongly Agree Agree Strongly Disagree Disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
6
4
12
8
Respondents

Theme 6- Continental Consultancy Limited is able to utilise digital advancement in attaining
operations
Q6. Do you agree that Continental Consultancy
Limited is able to utilise digital advancement in
attaining operations? Respondents
Strongly Agree 11
Agree 9
Strongly Disagree 6
Disagree 4
Total 30
Interpretation-
18
Strongly Agree Agree Strongly Disagree Disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12 11
9
6
4
Respondents

It can be assessed from the graph that 11 employees believes that Continental
Consultancy Limited is using digital advancement in company. 9 of respondents also agrees with
it, while 6 believes organisation is not properly using it. Moreover, 4 of workers Disagree with
the statement.
Theme 7- Digital technology has helped in gaining efficiency in your own work
Q7. Do you believe that digital technology has
helped in gaining efficiency in your own work? Respondents
Yes 21
No 9
Total 30
Interpretation-
19
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
21
9
Respondents

The graph clearly shows that efficiency is being gained by employees in carrying out
their own work. It is evident from fact that 21 persons believes that efficiency is increased.
While, 9 of respondents do not think that efficiency is accomplished by them.
Theme 8- Digital technology has paved the way for smoother operational activities in company
Q8. Do you think that digital technology has
paved the way for smoother operational
activities in Continental Consultancy Limited? Respondents
Strongly Agree 13
Agree 6
Strongly Disagree 8
Disagree 3
Total 30
20
Strongly Agree Agree Strongly Disagree Disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14 13
6
8
3
Respondents

Interpretation-
It can be analysed that 13 respondents believes that digital technology has paved the way
for smoother operations in company. 6 respondents also agree with it, while 8 workers Strongly
Disagree that Continental Consultancy Limited is not generating outcome from smoother
operations. While, 3 workers disagreed with the statement.
P6 Communicating recommendations and drawing valid conclusions
It can be communicated that digital technology has greater influence of operational
activities of business. Continental Consultancy Limited is deploying full resources in getting
adequate results for scaling up its business for consulting manufacturing firms. It can be
concluded from questionnaire outcome that organisation is able to attain good productivity in
meeting out tasks. Furthermore, smoother operational activities are accomplished because of
digital technological advancement for scaling business. It can be recommended that company
should make investment in administration and marketing department so as to take benefit of such
technology. It is required to invest funds judiciously for upscaling units.
It is recommended that implementing digital advancement in regular operational tasks,
Continental Consultancy Limited could bring more efficiency in getting appropriate results in a
better way. Moreover, lesser cost is involved in applying digital technology in business in
comparison to other traditional methods. It can be said that firm could easily deploy technology
in all of its departments for enhancing overall performance. It is also recommended that
organisation must implement digital technology at all levels as it helps to increase revenue in the
best way possible. Hence, firm could easily attain more efficiency and productivity by deploying
technology in effective manner.
P7 Reflecting on own performance for meeting stated objectives
I have carried out in-depth investigation of digital technology on operations in
Continental Consultancy Limited. I'm able to gain useful insight about various perspectives and
benefits out of digital technology being implemented in organisation. My interactive and
communicating skills are enhanced in a better way. This would be helpful to me in carrying out
research project in effective manner in the future. I have gained knowledge about digital
technology and its implications on company. I have conducted research by taking sample of 30
21

employees of company and results are being analysed by me. It has helped me in scaling up my
analytical skills in effectual way.
The data collection have been done through primary and secondary data which has
upscaled my data gathering skills from relevant sources. Valid and reliable sources are used for
carrying out research with ease. Moreover, it can be said that I'm able to carry out deep study of
particular aspect and better understanding is being developed. These analytical, communication
and interactive skills will be beneficial for me in doing further projects. I will effectively apply
more skills and efficiency in attaining final and appropriate conclusion for research purpose.
Thus, my own performance is quite maximised for meeting objectives.
CONCLUSION
Hereby it can be concluded that research project is undertaken to explore subject in
effective manner and achieve useful insight about it. The outcome that can be generated from
report is that digital technology is useful for business particularly in smoothing daily operational
activities. Continental Consultancy Limited has implemented digital technology but is required
to implement in all departments so that major benefits could be achieved. Research has been
conducted through deploying exploratory method and thematic analysis is conducted. Thus,
research outcome has been attained.
22

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alvesson, M. and Sköldberg, K., 2017. Reflexive methodology: New vistas for qualitative
research. Sage.
Brody, P. and Pureswaran, V., 2015. The next digital gold rush: how the internet of things will
create liquid, transparent markets. Strategy & Leadership. 43(1). pp.36-41.
Fletcher, A. J., 2017. Applying critical realism in qualitative research: methodology meets
method. International Journal of Social Research Methodology. 20(2). pp.181-194.
Hernandez, K., Prieto Martín, P. and Ramalingam, B., 2016. The Impact of Digital Technology
on Economic Growth and Productivity, and its Implications for Employment and Equality:
An Evidence Review (No. IDS Evidence Report; 207). IDS.
Humphries, B., 2017. Re-thinking social research: anti-discriminatory approaches in research
methodology. Routledge.
Ledford, J. R. and Gast, D. L., 2018. Single case research methodology: Applications in special
education and behavioral sciences. Routledge.
Morgan-Thomas, A., 2016. Rethinking technology in the SME context: Affordances, practices
and ICTs. International Small Business Journal. 34(8). pp.1122-1136.
Pagani, M. and Pardo, C., 2017. The impact of digital technology on relationships in a business
network. Industrial Marketing Management. 67. pp.185-192.
Stankovska, I., Josimovski, S. and Edwards, C., 2016. Digital channels diminish SME barriers:
the case of the UK. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja. 29(1).pp.217-232.
Vendrell-Herrero, F. and Wilson, J. R., 2017. Servitization for territorial competitiveness:
Taxonomy and research agenda.Competitiveness Review: An International Business
Journal.27(1). pp.2-11.
ONLINE
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Gabriel. 2013 Inductive and deductive approaches to research [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.statisticssolutions.com/qualitative-research-approach/>.
Project Log Book
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: Managing Successful Business Projects Date:
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved (Account
for a minimum of six weeks with dates)
 What have you completed?
I have completed research project on digital
technology.
 Did you fulfil Task requirements?
Yes, all requirements were being fulfilled.
 Are you on track and within deadlines set?
Yes, deadlines are met of project.
 Did you need to make any changes to your
project management plan?
No, project management plan is accurate.
Comments
Any risks and / or issues identified?
 Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of
skills required for undertaking research tasks?
Yes, communication skills were weak but improved
in attaining requirements of project.
24

 Did you identify any additional risks/issues
that have an impact on the project
management plan?
No, additional risks are not found out that could have
an impact on the project management plan
Problems encountered
 What barriers did you face?
Communication barrier and data gathering issues
were encountered.
 How did you overcome them?
It were overcome by setting due deadlines for
completing project.
New Ideas and change of project direction
The project can be given another direction by taking
off to in-depth analysis of research topic.
What Have I learnt about myself this week?
I have learnt analytical skills this week.
 How did I feel when I had to deal with
25