Impact of Smart Virtual Assistants on Employee Performance in UK Retail Industry: A Study on Marks and Spencer

MSBP

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. PROJECT PLANNING...............................................................................................................3
Aim and objectives......................................................................................................................3
Scope............................................................................................................................................3
Milestone.....................................................................................................................................3
Initiation, planning and execution...............................................................................................4
Gantt chart and work break down................................................................................................5
BUSINESS CASE...........................................................................................................................7
Chapter 1: literature review.........................................................................................................7
Chapter 2: Research methodology...............................................................................................8
Chapter 3: findings and discussion (data presentation & interpretation)..................................10
Chapter 4: conclusion and recommendations............................................................................20
PROJECT LOGBOOK..................................................................................................................21
REFLECTIVE PRACTICE...........................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................24
Books and Journals....................................................................................................................24
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................26

Topic: To investigate the impact of using smart virtual assistants as a new innovative digital
technology upon the employee performance within UK retail industry: A study on Marks and
Spencer.
1. PROJECT PLANNING
Aim and objectives
The aim of the study is to determine the impact of using smart virtual assistants as a new
innovative digital technology upon the employee performance within Marks and Spencer.
Objectives:
 To understand the concept of smart virtual assistants as a new innovative digital
technology
 To examine the benefits encountered by using smart virtual assistants within UK retail
industry.
 To assess the relationship between the smart virtual assistants and employee
performance.
 To recommend the best ways through which the employee can improve their
communication and raise the performance.
Scope
The scope of the study is to understand the role of smart virtual assistants and its
importance for the employees. The present study also beneficial for the company operated in
retail industry in order to understand the ways through which the employee performance can be
improved by using effective digital technology. Also, study will be beneficial for Marks and
Spencer in order to understand the concept of smart virtual assistants so that effective outcome
can be generated. This in turn assist to improve the results and provide better outcome as well.
Milestone
Some of the key milestone for the present study will be:
 Selection of the research methods: 11th August

 Data analysing: 22nd August 2022
Initiation, planning and execution
The key stages of project planning are as mentioned below: Initiation: In the first stage, project manager mainly implements the aim and objectives of
the research study on which the entire study is based upon (Howe, 2017). This in turn
assist to generate the best outcome by implementing effective outcome. planning: In this stage, project manager makes a planning by using MS project in which
Gantt chart used that helps to determine time of each particulars. Also, it has been
identified that there should be research methods which need to used properly that helps to
answer the question. Execution: The analysis of data sent to the respondents mainly fall in this category that
assist to meet the defined aim. Also, it has been identified that there should be proper
flow of communication which in turn assist to meet the defined aim.
 Closure: The last stage in which scholar complete the entire research by examining
whether the aim and objectives have met or not.
There is different key aspect which need to be included in the project management that are as
mentioned below:
Cost: In order to complete the entire task, it has been identified that it require at least
£250 that helps to implement the task in an effective manner.
Time: As per the defined gantt chart, it has been identified that there is 24 days required
in order to complete the entire project so that it assist to implement the task effectively.
Deliverables: It is all about the results that are produced in the study. For the present
research the key deliverable are understanding the smart virtual assistant that helps to improve
the business.
Resources: The key resources of the study are human resource, technological resources
and physical resource.

Risk: In order to meet the research aim, it has been analysed that there is a need to
develop a risk register that helps to improve the results. In the current study, there are different
risk which might face that include time, cost, lack of financial resource etc.
Resources: There is a need to ensure that all the key resource should be included in the
research i.e. technological, financial and human resource.
Gantt chart and work break down
Task
Mode Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
1 Selection of topic 2 days Thu 8/4/22 Fri 8/5/22
2 Drafting aim and
objectives 1 day Mon 8/8/22 Mon 8/8/22 1
3 Selection of source for
literature review 2 days Tue 8/9/22 Wed 8/10/22 1,2
4 Selection of research
methods 1 day Thu 8/11/22 Thu 8/11/22 2,3
5 Questionnaire 2 days Fri 8/12/22 Mon 8/15/22 4
6 sending questions to
respondents 3 days Tue 8/16/22 Thu 8/18/22 5
7 analyzing the data 2 days Fri 8/19/22 Mon 8/22/22 6,2
8 discussion and findings 1 day Tue 8/23/22 Tue 8/23/22 7
9 Conclusion 1 day Wed 8/24/22 Wed 8/24/22 8
10 formatting and
submission 1 day Thu 8/25/22 Thu 8/25/22 9
11 waiting for feedback 7 days Fri 8/26/22 Mon 9/5/22 10
12 modification and
submission 1 day Tue 9/6/22 Tue 9/6/22 11