Managing Successful Businesses Project

This project analyzes the implementation of cloud technology at Continental Consulting Limited, a business process re-engineering firm. It covers project planning, research methods, data analysis, and recommendations for successful cloud technology adoption. The project also includes a reflection on the learning process and its implications for future professional development.

Managing Successful Businesses
Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
P1. Devise project aims and objectives..................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods..7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques..................................9
P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations..................................................................15
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................16
P7 Reflection........................................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
Digital technologies has dramatically changed the commercial values and catered
revolution in the way to trade. It is essential for a business to upgrade its technologies in order to
sustain in the marketplace and achieve growth. There are several problems occurs while
upgrading a technology within a firm. In order to overcome these hurdles, it is required to build
perfect planning that can attain organizational objectives and goals. The report have selected
Continental Consulting Limited as key organization which is a business process re- engineering
firm. It is upgrading cloud technology after eight years so that it can support business operations.
Company is dealing with small and medium manufacturing firms and it needs a large space
where it can store confidential information, software and applications as well. Therefore, this
report underpins aims and objectives of cloud technology project and project management plan
to carry out entire project details. In addition it also covers work breakdown structure and Gantt
chart that supports to manage project tasks in an efficient way. Further, it also incorporates
research methods and findings along with recommendations and reflection (Drucker, 2012).
TASK 1
P1. Devise project aims and objectives.
Digital technology utilization is emerging each and every day to operate various
functions including personnel management, finance, management, communication etc. Whether
it is small or large organization, use of these technologies are emerging which can attain.
Continental Consulting Limited is upgrading cloud technology that has several benefits for firm
as it provides data security and integrating to their client's information because they value
confidentiality. The organization should identify the utilization of private, public and hybrid
cloud in order to maximize growth and innovation. There are cloud different characteristics and
advantages that can be achieved by organization. Private cloud technology is one of the most
preferable technique for organization because company is responsible to maintaining hardware,
storage and network within the firm itself. It is handled by a single – tenant environment or a
single company (Eckerson, 2010).
There are various cloud technologies that can be adopted to increase performance and
productivity of the firm through encouraging flexibility. It covers a wide area where employees
of Continental Consulting Limited can access information from anywhere to accomplish their
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tasks. This will innovate their working process because their workers become efficient to put
their job in an effective way. It also protects the information through private key of the
organization that is only used by the company . There are authorized people who can retrieve or
store the information on private cloud. It has a distributed system so that multiple people can use
access information on same time (Sparrow, 2012).
Continental Consulting Limited can also gain some other benefits to upgrade cloud
technology. It can be seen that they were mostly using traditional ways to store the information.
There are so many people who were using flash drives like pen drive, USB , CD, DVD eight
years ago for permanent data storage but it also has risks to crash or lost of the assets that can put
an organization into hazards. Moreover, there is also a need of high investment for purchasing of
required equipment. On the other hand, cloud technology cost is much less than traditional
storage systems. Although, it is a complex system but it reduces cost of investment so company
can adopt cloud technology with the less amount and risk. Further, it also improves efficiency
and ease of collaboration because employees can work on same file from various locations
(Doherty and Ashurst, 2012).
Aim : “To determine the impact of cloud technology on business growth and
innovation. A case study on Continental Consulting Limited.”
Objectives
 To determine the concept of cloud technology.
 To analyze the significance of cloud technology for Continental Consulting Limited.
 To identify the major challenges faced by firms while implementing Cloud Technology.
Questions
 What is the concept of cloud technology?
 What is the significance of cloud technology for Continental Consulting Limited?
 What are the major challenges faced by firms while implementing Cloud Technology?
P2 Produce a project management plan
A project management plan is prepared by project manger who starts a project after
analyzing the requirements and needs of specific project. There are various things that needs to
be monitor to manage entire process of the project. Project management plan needs to upgrade
cloud technology for the growth of Continental Consulting Limited. This is mentioned as below -
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Cost – This is most essential to adopt cloud technology because funds are the only
support which is required to manage project in an efficient way. It needs to purchase handle the
government compliance machinery, equipment, software, hardware and human resources as well.
Funds are needed in all phases to carry out the task in a smooth way. It is a complex project that
should be accomplished in an particular time frame. It needs to spend ample amount to manage
project activities in an appropriate manner (Den and Van, 2010).
Particular Amount (Unit in €)
Initial Investment 45000
Expenses :
Operational activities
Research and development
Cost to IT Experts
Licensing Fee
Maintenance
23000
12000
10000
3000
2000
Closing value 45000
Scope – Cloud technology has a vast scope for Continental Consulting Limited. It can
reduces the work load on single server through a distributed network system. It will consume less
time to access the information because data is stored on a private cloud that is being used within
the organisation. Hence, time will be reduced to access required information (Müller and Turner,
2010).
One of the most wider scope for firm is that its information will be automatically backed
and recovered to the cloud due to the programmed algorithm and support. Employees can be
work from remote places with the access of information and through this data is available to
them in an frequent way. Whether they are working in the organisation or home. It gives a huge
availability of information which improves working efficiency and effectiveness. This
amendment in working process supports in the organisation growth.
Time – According to the project manager, cloud technology will take approximately 4
months. These five months they will manage appropriate funds and other resources that can
support to cloud technology implementation. In these months, Continental Consulting Limited
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will also conduct a research to analyze perception and point of view employees/customers in an
effective way (Crawford and Nahmias, 2010).
Quality : Project manager needs to adopt quality standard to measure and monitor the
quality of cloud technology project. In order to control project, firm need to focus on Quality of
Standard (QoS) that monitors and rectifies error in each stage. It is most necessary factors that
must be closely watched in order to rectify errors so that they does not impact after final
deployment.
Communication – In order to communicate within a team, project manager should adopt
a communication medium through which they can share perceptions and ideas about cloud
technology as it can give a growth to business activities. Therefore, they can establish a forum
where entire team can coordinate in discussion. There are some other transmission mediums such
as email, text message, telephone, etc. through which firm can easily interact with each other
finding the solution of their problems and issues.
Risk – There are some hurdles which can impact on project completion so project
manager needs to find out solution through which these barriers can be over come. It is essential
for manager to manage funds in an appropriate amount so that implementation of cloud
technology can be carried in an effective way. Managing resources, machinery and equipment is
also crucial because lack of these elements can also stop growth of project and business as well.
Continental Consulting Limited process can be delay due to these obstacles and it can also
impact on their efficiency.
Resources – Human resources plays a vital role to carry out the activities to upgrade
cloud technology. They operates machinery and manage task to complete that in a specific time.
Employees are required to execute tasks according to the plan thus project manager needs to
manage human resources to carry out task to implement cloud technology (Ajmal and Helo,
2010).
Hence, these are factors that needs to include in a project management plan in order to
control and monitor planned activities that can provide growth to Continental Consulting
Limited.
P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart.
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As being a project manager, it is essential that company manage cloud technology project
in an appropriate way. There are two major tools through proper scheduling and time
management can be done i.e. mentioned below -
Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) – It is used to manage a complex project in small
manageable chunks. It becomes easy to handle small portions of complex projects because each
of them has different working. That's why it follows an iterative approach that can manage a
project in an effective way. It supports to execute tasks in a simplest manner because each
section is completed in differently. Thus, each portion can be monitored distinctly to identify
their process and efficiency (Artto, 2010). For example, there are various important phases of
cloud technology implementation and each stage is further divided into small chunks. After that,
each section's cost is measured differently and calculated for the entire project. This is simple
term because each module cost is measured differently and then sum of each section estimated
according to the gathered data and figures. It is easiest way to measure the cost of in an effective
way (Ramadani and Gërguri, 2013).
Gantt chart – This is another effective tool that helps project manager to analyse time
frame for specific task so that they can manage time in an effective way. Gantt chart has a start
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and end time of the task such as day, week and month. Through this, manager can monitor
activities for deployment of cloud technology. There are various tasks such as research so it has a
start date when the research begins and an end date when research finishes (Morris and Geraldi,
2011). According to these horizontal bars, it can be seen that it take 7 days to complete the
research regarding cloud technology. On the vertical side, tasks are assigned that can be
measured through these horizontal bars. The core purpose of these bars it can be analysed that
each activity has its own start date, duration and end date i.e. represented by a position and
length of the lines.
6

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Hence, WBS and Gantt chart, both plays a crucial role in management of activities and
taska that have to be accomplished in an appropriate and timely manner. Continental Consulting
Limited can manage the implementation of cloud technology in an effective way (Dahan and
Doh, 2010).
TASK 2
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Continental Consulting Limited needs to conduct a research to identify point of views
and perceptions of their employees/customers. It directs them to attain the task in a most
significance manner that can give a new idea and innovation to achieve business growth. There
are four research methods and they are given below -
Quantitative methods – It is used to study about numerical data that reflects the
opinions and perceptions of the people regarding upgrading cloud technology. It is focused on
large population that needed to analyze their perceptions. This research can be conduct through
surveys, observations and interviews, etc (Chesbrough, 2010).
Qualitative methods – This is second research methods that is used to recognize detailed
information about target people. It emphasizes on identifying requirements and needs to upgrade
cloud technology that can be beneficial for them. Qualitative research is specially designed to
study behavior of the people regarding their perception towards technology. The information can
be gathered through in-depth interview, focus groups, ethnographic research, content analysis.
Primary research – It is used to collect fresh data about the people. This is providing a
fresh data because primary research is conducting for first time and it caters actual information
from targeted audience. This research can be conducted through observations, telephone
interviews, online surveys, face-to-face surveys, focus groups and test marketing. In order to
collect fresh information, Continental Consulting Limited is conducting a research with 30
respondents to know their perception about cloud technology.
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Secondary research – It is based on primary research through which it can utilize the
data for several time. Secondary information used to cater the information from other sources
such as newspapers, journals, paper libraries, survey, observation and so on (Keil and Lee,
2013).
Questionnaire
1. Are you familiar with the concept of cloud technology?
a. Yes
B. No
2. According to you, which is the most used cloud technology worldwide?
a. Google Drive
b. One Drive
c. Dropbox
d. All of above
3. Do you think that cloud technology gives a growth to Continental Consulting Limited ?
a. Agree
b. Disagree
4. Which is the most important benefits of upgrading cloud technology within Continental
Consulting Ltd?
a. Flexibility
b. Cost reduction
5. According to you, what are the major challenge of implementing cloud technology?
a. Data Integrity
b. Deterioration of information
6. What is the main reason to upgrade cloud technology in Continental Consulting Limited ?
a. Data security
b. Reliability
c. Availability
7. Does Cloud technology supports in the growth and innovation of Continental Consulting
Limited ?
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a. Yes
b. No
8.What are the expected recommendations which Continental Consulting Ltd to improve
influence of Cloud Technology?
TASK 3
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.
Theme 1 : Concept of cloud technology
1. Are you familiar with the concept of cloud
technology?
Frequency
a. Yes 21
b. No 9
Interpretation – According to the above graph, it can be analysed that out of 30
respondents, 21 employee/customers were familiar with cloud technology concept. On other
hand, 9 people were not aware about cloud technology. Thus, it indicates that more than half
people are familiar with cloud technology as they may use it on their smartphones.
Theme 2: Most utilizing cloud technology
2. According to you, which is the most Frequency
10
0
5
10
15
20
25 21
9
a. Yes
b. No

utilizing cloud technology?
a. Google Drive 12
b. One Drive 10
c. Dropbox 6
d. All of above 4
Interpretation – It can be analysed from the above graph that Google drive is the most
utilized cloud technology and that is supported by 12 people out of 30 respondents. Whereas One
Drive, Dropbox was also favoured by 10 and 6 employees/customers who has stated that it is
used to store the data on cloud. There are 6 people who are using all of these cloud storage to
keep their data safe and secured.
Theme 3 : Cloud technology gives a growth to Continental Consulting Limited
3. Do you think that cloud technology gives a
growth to Continental Consulting Limited ?
Frequency
a. Agree 22
b. Disagree 8
11
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
12
10
6
4
a. Google Drive
b. One Drive
c. Dropbox
d. All of above

Interpretation – This is clear from above graph, that there are 22 people who thinks
cloud technology is beneficial for organisation and it will provide growth as well. But on the
other side, there are 8 employees/ customers who does not favors this because they are not aware
about the advantages of cloud technology. They are not aware about the techniques that can
improve their efficiency and working process.
Theme 4 : Benefits of upgrading cloud technology
4. Which is the most important benefits of
upgrading cloud technology?
Frequency
a. Flexibility 16
b. Cost reduction 14
12
0
5
10
15
20
25 22
8
a. Agree
b. Disagree

Interpretation – From the above graph it can be identified that 16 people employees
were in favour of cloud technology. There is a slight difference between both polls as 16 people
were agree with the flexibility and 14 people are in favour of cost reduction. Flexibility is
consider as major factor because employees can work from anywhere and anytime. They can
access the same file on the same time. Secondly, 14 employees were in favour because it reduces
cost of storage of traditional storage systems. It improves access time of information without any
risk or error.
Theme 5 : Challenge of implementing cloud technology
5. According to you, what are the greatest
challenge of implementing cloud technology?
Frequency
a. Data Integrity 13
b. Deterioration of information 17
13
13
13.5
14
14.5
15
15.5
16
16
14
a. Flexibility
b. Cost reduction

Interpretation – From the above graph it can be analysed that out 30 respondents 17 are
takes deterioration of information as a challenges because attackers can steal the information and
harm the data integrity. On the other hand, 13 people voted to data integrity as a challenge
because they think that adversaries can modify their confidential information or can misuse it.
Hence, both of these are major challenges to cloud technology because these are dependent on
each other.
Theme 6 : Reason to upgrade cloud technology
6. What is the main reason to upgrade cloud
technology in Continental Consulting
Limited ?
Frequency
a. Data security 10
b. Reliability 9
c. Availability 11
14
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
13
17
a. Data Integrity
b. Deterioration of
information

Interpretation – As it is shown in the above graph that there is a slight difference
among three variables. Among 30 respondents 10 people takes data integrity as a reason to adopt
cloud technology whereas reliability and availability is a reason for 9 and 11 people. Hence, all
options are supported by employees/customer to upgrade cloud technology that is also beneficial
for the company.
Theme 7 : Cloud technology supports in the growth and innovation
7. Does Cloud technology supports in the
growth and innovation of Continental
Consulting Limited ?
Frequency
a. Yes 18
b. No 12
15
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
9
11
a. Data security
b. Reliability
c. Availability

Interpretation – Cloud technology is supported to the growth and innovation of
Continental Consulting Limited. It is supported by 18 employees/customers because it improves
there efficiency and productivity of work. Among 30 respondents, there were 18 people who
were in the favor of growth and innovation whereas 12 people were against it.
P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations
Digital technology define businesses can reach with large number of customers in the
market place. The simple promotion featuring a giveaway and company can generate huge
income and revenue in better manner. In this report, the firm is using cloud technology which
help in storing data and information which are related to customers in secured manner. When
company use this technology, they can easily run the applications and programs from software
downloaded in the physical computer and server in the building. For this, firm can access same
type of application and technology through internet. However, cloud technology is expensive and
costly, and sometime it does not have positive effects on business operations and functions. With
the use of cloud technology, company can record all data and information which are helpful in
knowing customers demand and services. Therefore, this method main role is to corporate level
which can act as deployment tool for software and services of the firm that can develops for the
people. It can used for data storage, offering remote access to any type of work related to data
and information of an organisation customers.
16
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
18
12
a. Yes
b. No

TASK 4
P7 Reflection
In this, the work is divided into five parts in which first step is planning. This is one of
the complex as I tried to match with my ideas for what I wanted to write regarding the specific
topic or theme which is really present. Firstly, I determined my topic before I began
investigation. The reading and investigating declared with exciting as I learned deep knowledge
about the company products and services. Sometime, it redundant the information which I read
and frustrating when I could not identify the data which I required. I really enjoyed my personal
investigation and it conduct interviews since I feel like with this investigation where I was
capable for developing endeavour in the field and also manufacture new thing. After that I use
primary and secondary method for collecting relevant data in better manner. In addition this, for
taking views of large population regarding company services so I develop questionnaire. Also
analyse data of various respondents about company products and facilities.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be conclude that technology plays a vital role in the growth
of business organisation. The project manager should focus on analysing aims and objectives of
technology that can support business operation. The report also states that using different
mediums and controlling basic functions, an organisation can attain business objectives
significantly. It is essential to carry out tasks and activities of project. There is also a need to
conduct a research so that organisation can identify various perception and belief of the
audience.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Drucker, P., 2012. Managing the non-profit organization. Routledge.
Eckerson, W.W., 2010. Performance dashboards: measuring, monitoring, and managing your
business. John Wiley & Sons.
Sparrow, E., 2012. Successful IT outsourcing: from choosing a provider to managing the
project. Springer Science & Business Media.
Doherty, N.F., Ashurst, C. and Peppard, J., 2012. Factors affecting the successful realisation of
benefits from systems development projects: findings from three case studies. Journal
of Information Technology. 27(1). pp.1-16.
Den Hertog, P., Van der Aa, W. and De Jong, M.W., 2010. Capabilities for managing service
innovation: towards a conceptual framework. Journal of service Management. 21(4).
pp.490-514.
Müller, R. and Turner, R., 2010. Leadership competency profiles of successful project managers.
International Journal of Project Management. 28(5). pp.437-448.
Crawford, L. and Nahmias, A.H., 2010. Competencies for managing change. International
journal of project management. 28(4). pp.405-412.
Ajmal, M., Helo, P. and Kekäle, T., 2010. Critical factors for knowledge management in project
business. Journal of knowledge management. 14(1). pp.156-168.
Wikström, K., Artto, K., Kujala, J. and et. al., 2010. Business models in project business.
International Journal of Project Management. 28(8). pp.832-841.
Ramadani, V., Gërguri, S., Dana, L.P. and et. al., 2013. Women entrepreneurs in the Republic of
Macedonia: waiting for directions. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small
Business. 19(1). pp.95-121.
Morris, P.W. and Geraldi, J., 2011. Managing the institutional context for projects. Project
Management Journal. 42(6). pp.20-32.
Dahan, N.M., Doh, J.P., Oetzel, J. and et. al., M., 2010. Corporate-NGO collaboration: Co-
creating new business models for developing markets. Long range planning. 43(2-3).
pp.326-342.
Chesbrough, H., 2010. Business model innovation: opportunities and barriers. Long range
planning. 43(2-3). pp.354-363.
Keil, M., Lee, H.K. and Deng, T., 2013. Understanding the most critical skills for managing IT
projects: A Delphi study of IT project managers. Information & management. 50(7).
pp.398-414.
Lin, A. and Chen, N.C., 2012. Cloud computing as an innovation: Percepetion, attitude, and
adoption. International Journal of Information Management. 32(6). pp.533-540.
Online
Research methodology. 2018. [Online]. Available through
<http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/research-methodology.html>
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Template for evidence collection to be attached with the report by the learner:
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Continental Consulting Ltd
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: Date:
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved
(Account for a minimum of six weeks with dates)
 What have you completed?
 Did you fulfil Task requirements?
 Are you on track and within deadlines set?
 Did you need to make any changes to your
project management plan?
Comments
This project is based on cloud
technology
Yes
Yes
No
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?
There is a need to provide training to
the employees so that they can easily
use cloud technology.
Yes, managing funds was a problem to
carry out the project in an effective
way.
Problems encountered Funds was the major barriers of
project.
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