Digital Disruption and Transformation in Marks and Spencer

The assignment provides an analysis of the challenges faced by Marks and Spencer in coping with digital disruption and transformation. It uses data visualization to present findings on factors influencing successful implementation of digital technology, potential to cope with major challenges, and employee knowledge about digital transformation. The report aims to provide insights for management teams in organizations to create effective policies and strategies.

Managing Successful Business Report

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P 1 Devising project aims and objectives...................................................................................4
P2 Plan for managing project .....................................................................................................5
P 3 Creating a work breakdown structure as well as Gantt chart ...............................................7
TASK 2..........................................................................................................................................10
P 4 executing small scale research by applying the quantitative as well as qualitative methods
for investigation........................................................................................................................10
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................12
P 5 Analysing the research and data
using appropriate tools and
techniques..................................................................................................................................12
P 6 communicating appropriate recommendations as a result of data analysis........................14
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................17
P 7 Reflection............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
In present world, digital technology has changed the way of doing business. Since, last
few years digital technology has changed the traditional business model and supported an
organisation in bringing improvement in business activities. It has provided various opportunities
for an enterprise. Digital technology has enabled firm to make improvement in existing product
and offer customers with additional services. It has also enabled business entity to attract more
number of people by developing innovative goods or services. Emergence as well as
development of digital technology has direct and significant impact on the major business
function. There are several examples of big companies gone under the procedure of digital
transformation after digital disruption. Many of the big companies has faced many challenges as
well as issues before the digital age. Digital disruption has direct as well as significant impact on
business activities. It also has major influence on the way company utilises technology ,
facilitates innovation etc. an organisation has realised the need of formulation of tactics , plans
and strategy in order to provide suitable response to new digital technologies as well as dealing
with challenges created by Digital disruption. Technology is disrupting everything such as
employees within an enterprise who resist change and methodologies in business practices.
Digital transformation is the intense as well as fostering transformation in the business by
investing in people, technology, systems and procedures.
`The purpose of the project is to analyse the way an organisation have coped with the
major challenges of
digital disruption and transformation in context of marks and Spencer.
TASK 1
P 1 Devising project aims and objectives
Digital technology has created many opportunities for the companies as well as it has also
built some challenges for firm. One of the biggest challenge is increase in competition which has
direct as well as great effect on the success and growth of an enterprise. Emergence of digital
technology has transformed the way the business is conducted. An organisation has developed
several plans as well as strategies and tactics in order to cope up with challenges which has been
generated due to digital transformation and disruption. Some digital technology such as – cloud

technology has supported management team in maintaining as well as storing the important
records or documents. Social media has provided firm an opportunity to communicate directly
with customers and develop the understanding about their needs. Few challenges creates digital
disruption includes Organizational resistance to change,Lack of a clear vision for a digital
customer journey, inflexible technology, ineffective accumulation as well as leveraging of
customer data etc. In context of marks and spacer, an organisation has adopted the approach
which states that the firm in order to become popular as well as innovative , required to develop
the understanding about the needs of customers. This specific approach or conceptualisation can
be applied to all aspects of business such as product development , marketing , human resources'
management etc. Management team in Marks and Spencer company has planned to bring
improvement in business structure. As this strategy will assist an enterprise in managing a digital
transformation project. It is required by manager to involve employees in decision making and
change procedure. As this tactic will assist business entity in successful implementation of
change at workplace.
Aims- To analyse the way an organisation have coped with the major challenges of digital
disruption and transformation in context of marks and Spencer.
Objectives-
 To record an increase of 20 percent likes and 10 percent followers.
 To develop as well as launch new application for the Android operating system which
are to introduced in the market by the end of June 2019.
P2 Plan for managing project
Project management plan is defined as a formal documentation which is prepared by
management team in an enterprise for managing the implementation of project. It also helps
project manager in controlling the activities during the process and identifying the risk or barriers
which might occur .Project management plan also supports manager in determining the resources
which are needed for execution of project. It enables management to ensure systematic allocation
as well as effective utilisation of resources. Project management plan also allows manager to
ensure the accomplishment of desired outcome. It also offers guidelines on the level and type of
information that should be defined in the early phases of the project. There are following
components are included in the project management plan such as:

Cost : It is considered to be as an important element when planning for executing project. Some
Expenses associated with managing the project or conducting the investigation such as
Travelling , communication , travelling, stationery , printing, etc. Scholar can divide complete
projects in small segments. Then it is required by researcher to estimate the per unit cost. Cost
management plan helps manager in preparing the budget .It also includes the cost associated
with the launching of new online strategy for 56 networks.
Scope: It includes the extent research can be conducted on same topic in the future. This factor
allows scholar to recognise the performance gap and identify the reason for the same in order to
avoids same mistake in the future. In context of marks and Spencer company can deal with
several challenges as well as can provide appropriate response to several business problem by
employing digital technology within an enterprise. Management team Business entity also
required to adopt the suitable strategies for eliminating the barriers which might occur in
implementation of technology in an enterprise. In context of present study , further research can
be conducted by scholar for finding innovative ways by which new online strategy for 56
networks. can be successfully employed a firm.
Quality : It is very much essential for research to concentrate on maintaining the quality of
information or data collected from different sources. As this factor has direct as well as
significant impact on the overall investigation and outcome. Quality of information collected
also have influence on the decision made by the scholar. Effective quality as well as proper
presentation of information or data helps researcher in making suitable judgement. As in the
present investigation data or information will be collected from both primary and secondary
sources, investigator is more concerned about the relevancy and accuracy of information
provided by participants. Scholar will include close ended questions in questionnaire form and
will personally analyse information in order to avoid irrelevancy.
Communication : It is considered to be as a crucial factor which helps scholar in coordinating as
well as cooperating with other people those who are involved in investigation .Effective
communication also assists in eliminating the overlapping of activities as well preventing the
wastage of resources. In present study , researcher will use email and telephone for
communicating with other members those who are associated with the research project. It is
very much essential for investigator to communicate the aims as well as objectives to all

members and participants. As this strategy will support researcher in collection of accurate
information or data. Communicating the objectives to members will help them in identifying
their roles as well as responsibilities in execution of projects. It will support project manager in
ensuring flow of information as well as eliminating the barriers which might occur in the
successful execution of project.
Risk: There are many hurdles which might have negative influence as well as impact on the
execution of project. Some challenges might occur due digital disruption. Ineffective plan or
strategies etc. In relation to the execution of project, major risk is plagiarism which can be
easily be avoided by tasking special care as well as using the appropriate tools and techniques
for gathering information. It is required by scholar to utilise the primary sources such as survey ,
personal interview , questionnaire for gathering information or data. It includes the risk
associated with the online strategy such as threat of network error , viruses etc. which can
hamper the quality of application.
Resources:It is considered to be an essential tool without which investigation activities cannot
be conducted. There are different types of resources which are required for implementing the
project in smooth way and systematic manner such as human resource , technology, equipment,
etc. (Khalid,2009)
P 3 Creating a work breakdown structure
Work break down structure is defined as a tabular list of tasks and elements. This
framework or structure is utilised by the manager or leader for managing the project in
systematic manner. Work break down structure assists manager or leaders in identifying the
activities which is required to conducted in order to achieve the desired objectives. It also helps
manager in determining the techniques or strategies which can be adopted to complete project
within the shortest period. Work break down structure consists of hierarchy or sequences of task
which will implemented. It helps an individual in identifying their roles as well as
responsibilities during the procedure. Work break down structure supports manager in
eliminating the overlapping of activities as well as reducing the work burden. It allows leader to
make task easier to understand. Work break down structure assist project manager in determining
the outcome based on various scenarios.

Gantt chart is created on the basis of the work break down structure. Gantt chart is
defined as the graphical representation of that tracks tasks across time. It consists of the starting
as well as ending time of each and every activity. As in project all the tasks are interconnected
with each other, delay in one activity can have negative impact on the completion timer of whole
project. Limited time can have adverse effect or influence on the quality of work. Gantt chart
can be utilised by management team in marks and Spencer company for demonstrating the
progress over time, using a percentage completed for each task. It is required by manager to gain
knowledge about all the procedure in the project. Employees or other people associated with the
project need to inform about the changes in activities as well as problems which is occurring in
implementing in execution of specific activity.
Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Investigation undertaking 78 days 1/27/18 3/15/18
Designing a appropriate plan 21 days 3/27/18 3/24/18 6
Choice of investigation topic 10 days 3/27/18 04/09/17
Preparation of problem
statement 8 days 04/10/18 04/18/17 3
Establishing the time frame for
the allotment of resources 5 days 04/21/18 04/28/18 4
Execution 50 days 04/28/18 05/06/18
Carrying out literature review 10 days 05/06/18 05/15/18 5
Selecting methodologies for
conducting research 15 days 05/15/18 05/22/18 7
Computation of the costs or
expenses 5 days 05/22/18 05/30/18 5
analysis and interpretation of
data or information 17 days 05/30/18 05/08/18 15
Judgement of outcomes 9 days 05/12/17 5/25/17 8

Closing of project 15 days 05 /26/18 06/01/18
Writing conclusion and
recommendations 7 days 06/07/18 06/09/18 6
Formal documentation of results 5 days 10/07/18 10/14/18 5
Submission of project 1 day 10/15/18 10/15/18 1
TASK 2
P 4 executing small scale research by applying the quantitative as well as qualitative methods for
investigation
Investigation is refers to as systematic procedure in which different task are implemented
by scholar like accumulation of data , analysis , interpretation and presentation of information in
systematic format. The several activities are conducted by researcher in order to make
appropriate decision and reach to the suitable solution to the problem. Present investigation is
conducted by scholar for finding the appropriate way or strategies which can be utilised by
marks and Spencer organisation for dealing with the major challenges of

digital disruption and transformation. There are many approaches, techniques as well as
concepts which can be applied by researcher during the execution of project. As this strategy will
help investigator in conducting the research in systematic manner. These approaches, concepts as
well as philosophies will assist investigator in reaching to the appropriate conclusion (Brown,
2013)
Research philosophies-It provides the way in which data about a process should be collected,
analysed and utilized. Philosophies related to investigation is considered to be an essential past
of research methodologies. It allows scholar to conduct the investigation in depth. Philosophies
related to investigation is completed based on the assumptions made by investigator during the
procedure. It helps scholar in expressing their views or opinion related to the topic (Eckerson,
2010) Research philosophies also supports scholar in making fair judgement and suitable
decisions. Positivism as well as interpretive are two main research philosophies. In present study
, researcher has will use or apply doctrine of positivity research along with quantitative
investigation technique. .It is required scholar to develop the understanding about Digital
Disruption. As it provides the strategy tools, concepts and perspectives that will enable
investigator to suggest marks and Spencer company a strategic response to the challenges related
to the digital transformation (Bulgurcu, Cavusoglu and Benbasat, 2010)
Investigation approach- These investigations approaches helps scholar ion making suitable
decision. There are two types of research approaches these are inductive and deductive. In
present investigation, scholar will use inductive approach. Selection of this research approach is
made by investigator based on the fact that inductive approach contributes to the emergence of
new theories and generalizations. Inductive research approach will help scholar in measuring an
effectiveness of methods used by them for gathering data or information. This approach to
collection of information provides greater flexibility in gathering qualitative data.
Research design-There are some research design which can be utilised by scholar for executing
investigation such as explanatory, Descriptive, experimental and Exploratory. In present
investigation, investigator will use and apply explanatory research design. As this strategy will
help scholar (Achtenhagen,Melin and Naldi, 2013)
Research techniques-There are many investigation techniques which can be applied by
investigator during the execution of project such as qualitative as well as quantitative. In present
investigation, researcher will use qualitative techniques for facilitating investigation. This

specific technique has been selected considering the nature of research topic. Current topic of
investigation is qualitative in nature, Therefore this specific research techniques have been
applied by scholar during investigation (Goksoy, Ozsoy and Vayvay, 2012)
Methodologies for data collection-It includes the several methods or techniques which can be
utilised by researcher for collecting relevant data or information. In present research ,
investigator will use both primary and secondary method for accumulating the information.
Questionnaire as well as personal interview will be utilised as the primary method of data
collection. Data collected by utilising the several methods and from different sources assist
scholar in increasing the knowledge about particular topic. In questionnaire form, investigator
will include close ended question which are to be answered by participant. Researcher due to
limited time span has appointed specialist and experienced person for conducting interview.
Sampling -Random , cluster , systematic are considered to be as some technique which can be
implemented from selected the sample from large size of population. In present study,
investigator will use random sampling method. In present investigation 200 employees have
been selected randomly those who are working in marks and Spencer company (Bilbao-Osorio,
Dutta and Lanvin,2013)
TASK 3
P 5 Analysing the research and data
using appropriate tools and
techniques.
A small scale investigation has been conducted by researcher for analysing the way
marks and Spencer organisation have coped with the major challenges of digital disruption and
transformation. In the latest investigation, investigator has utilised questionnaire as well as
personal interview method for gathering qualitative information from the participants.
Questionnaire form include close ended question which has assisted scholar in collecting the
relevant information or data.
1. How businesses have coped with the major challenges of
digital disruption and transformation ?
 By becoming more customer centric
 Developing the strategies
 Changing business structure

 Both 1 and second option
2.What are areas in business which can get effected by the digital transformation?
 Marketing
 IT department
 Both
3. Digital technology when implemented within an enterprise will support organisation in
dealing with several business problems.
 Yes
 No
 might be
4. Which type of digital technology can be employed within an organisation?
 Multimedia
 cloud computing
 social media
 all of the above
5. What are the challenges or issues faced by the company related to successful implementation
of digital technology?
 Cost
 insufficient resources
 Lack of support by employees
 All of the above
6 How much potential does business entity have in order to cope up with several major
challenges?
Low
medium
High
7. Does digital technology have ---- effect on organisation?
 Positive
 negative
 Both

8. How much knowledge you have about the challenges created by the digital
transformation?
 Depth knowledge
 little understanding
 Not aware
9. Recommending the strategies as well as some techniques which can be implemented by
the marks and Spencer company for coping up with the challenges related to digital
disruption as well as transformation.
P 6 communicating appropriate recommendations as a result of data analysis
Theme 1 :By becoming more customer centric as well as Developing the strategies businesses
have coped with the major challenges of
digital disruption and transformation.
How businesses have coped with the major challenges of
digital disruption and transformation ?
Frequency
 By becoming more customer centric 120
 Developing the strategies 20
 Both first and second options 50

Interpretation: As per the above research out of 200 employees, 120 employees have said that
business entity workers have stated that effective strategies has supported an organisation in
dealing with major issues. It is required by marks and Spencer company to facilitate innovation
and concentrate on identifying the needs of customers.
Theme 2 :marketing and IT department are areas in business which can get effected by the
digital transformation.
What are areas in business which can get effected by the digital
transformation?
Frequency
 marketing 80
IT department 40
 Both 80
By becoming more customer centric
Developing the strategies
Both first and second options
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Frequency

Interpretation :It has been analysed from above information that marketing as well as It
department is mainly effected by the digital transformation. Management team in an
organisation is required to conduct internal assessment. As this technique will help business
entity in identifying other areas where improvement can be done through implementing digital
technology.
Theme 3 : Yes, Digital technology when implemented within an enterprise will support
organisation in dealing with several business problems.
Digital technology when implemented within an enterprise will
support organisation in dealing with several business problems.
Frequency
 yes 150
 no 50
marketing IT department Both
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Frequency

 might be 50
Interpretation : it has been interpreted as well as concluded from the above information that
majority of workers has said yes that Digital technology when implemented within an
enterprise will support organisation in dealing with several business problems.
Theme 4 :Multimedia, cloud computing and social media h type of digital technology can be
employed within an organisation.
Which type of digital technology can be employed within an
organisation?
Frequency
 Multimedia 25
 cloud computing 5
 social media 50
yes no might be
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Frequency

 all of the above 120
Interpretation : it has been analysed from the above information that multi media, cloud
computing as well as social media are types of digital technology which can be employed in a
firm. Marks and Spencer company should implement all three technologies. As this will help
firm in accomplishing business objectives.
Theme 5:Cost, insufficient resources, Lack of support by employees are the challenges or issues
faced by the company related to successful implementation of digital technology
What are the factors which have influence on successful
implementation of digital technology?
Frequency
 Cost 10
 insufficient resources 50
 Lack of support by employees 10
 All of the above 130
Multimedia cloud computing social media all of the above
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Frequency

Interpretation:It has been analysed from above information that ms\arks and Spencer
organisation is facing challenges or issues related to Lack of support by employees, cost ,
insufficient resources and cost are the factors which have major influence on successful
implementation of digital technology. It is required by management team in an organisation to
create effective policies as well as strategies.
Theme 6: medium potential does business entity have in order to cope up with several major
challenges.
How much potential does business entity have in order to cope up
with several major challenges?
Frequency
 Medium 150
 High 30
 Low 20
Cost
insufficient resources
Lack of support by employees
All of the above
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
Frequency

Interpretation:It has been analysed from the above information that marks and Spencer
organisation has medium potential to cope up with the challenges. Management team in an
enterprise is required to provide training to workers as this will help firm in increasding
potential.
Theme 7 : digital technology have Positive effect on organisation have about the challenges
created by the digital transformation
Does digital technology have ---- impact on organisation? Frequency
 Positive 50
 Negative 50
 both 150
Medium High Low
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Frequency

Interpretation : :It has been analysed from the above information that digital technology have
both positive as well as negative impact on business.
Theme 8 :Little knowledge , employees have about the challenges created by the digital
transformation.
8. How much knowledge you have about the challenges
created by the digital transformation?
Frequency
 Little knowledge 150
 depth understanding 30
 Not aware 20
Positive Negative both
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Column B

Interpretation :it has been analysed from the above information that majority of workers in an
organisation has Little knowledge about the challenges created by the digital transformation.
Management team in an enterprise is required to provide education as well as training to
employees.
TASK 4
P 7 Reflection
Reflection of this report is very clear as this demonstrate that scholar has establish very
clear aim and objective for the project. As their choices and preference is the main priority of
the restoring. This report is all about an organisation have coped with the major challenges of
digital disruption and transformation .Data visualization is the procedure that records the data
which has assisted Scholar in making quick decisions. Researcher has gained technical
knowledge which could be used for conducting the research in future
Little knowledge depth understanding Not aware
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
Frequency