Impact of Digital Technology

This project investigates the impact of digital technology on the growth and innovation of Continental Consulting Limited, a UK-based SME firm. It analyzes the use of digital technology across departments, identifies the reasons for its implementation, and explores the limitations and preventive measures. The project concludes with recommendations for successful digital technology implementation, including employee training, market research, and fostering innovation. Desklib provides past papers and solved assignments for students.

UNIT 6: MSB

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
1. Background and purpose of project.........................................................................................1
2. Project management plan.........................................................................................................2
3. Work Break down structure and Gantt chart...........................................................................6
4. Applying qualitative and quantitative research methods.........................................................9
5. Analyse of research and data collected..................................................................................12
6. Recommendation and conclusion..........................................................................................16
7. Reflection...............................................................................................................................17
REFERNCES.................................................................................................................................18
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................19
1

TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Project management plan.................................................................................................3
Figure 2: Work Break down structure.............................................................................................6
Figure 3: Gantt chart........................................................................................................................9
Figure 4: Use of digital technology within all departments..........................................................12
Figure 5: Reason for use of digital technology..............................................................................13
Figure 6: Limitations of digital technology...................................................................................14
Figure 7: Continental Consulting Limited making prevention with use of digitalization.............15
Figure 8: Recommendation of ways in which Continental Consulting Limited could be
successful to implement digital technology...................................................................................16
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INTRODUCTION
Digital technology which is supporting growth and innovation within business units is
very much essential to be implemented in a proper manner (Loebbecke and Picot, 2015). Small
business is mostly a source of innovation, great ideas and creativity as they know how to
implement technology within organisation.
This particular research project deal with impact of digital technology which is
supporting small business growth and innovation especially in company like that of Continental
Consulting Limited. It is a SME firm working in market for past 8 years with having expertise in
their field of research and business consultancy that is headed by Mario Bindas as CEO.
Continental Consulting Limited is a company which deals with process re-engineering and
potential customers of London and Greater London.
MAIN BODY
1. Background and purpose of project
Background of report:
Digital technology is very much influential factor in starting and operating business in
this current era which is known to as time of innovation and use of latest technologies. Digital
technology will include various kinds of applications and electronic equipment which mainly
uses data in form of numeric code. All kind of information that are gathered and used by
companies will be in form of numeric code which will then be converted into analogy so that it is
easy to understand (Scuotto, Bresciani and Del Giudice, 2017). This report will cover
Continental Consulting Limited which is a consultancy firm operating in UK for last 8 years
serving customers of London and utilising digital technology as well. So this report will examine
impact of use of technology on growth and innovation of SME especially in Continental
Consulting Limited.
Background of Continental Consulting Limited:
Continental Consulting Limited is a company which is based on research and business
consultancy and re-engineering and its customers mainly include SME companies which are in
manufacturing business. Innovation and technology plays a very important role within working
and operation of company as there are rapid changes in IT sector of country. Continental
Consulting Limited is having expert and experienced employees in field of consultancy but then
3

also company is lacking behind its competitors. There is very much need of up gradation of IT
infrastructure of company as this is their main weakness which is not allowing them to capture
market.
Aims:
Impact of digital technology supporting small business growth and innovation that is
especially tailored to: Continental Consulting Limited UK.
Objective:
 To identify need of innovation within business operations of Continental Consulting
Limited UK
 To analyse impact of digital technology within growth and innovation of Continental
Consulting Limited UK
 To recommend ways in which company is able to successfully implement digital
technology
Research Question:
1. What is the need of innovation within business operations of Continental Consulting
Limited UK?
2. What are the impact of digital technology within growth and innovation of Continental
Consulting Limited UK?
Purpose of project:
The main purpose of this project is to identify needs of innovation within business
operations of company with analysing impact of digital technology into growth and innovation.
As technology is playing very important and essential role in bringing awareness and
information for all aspects of company so it is required to ensure that company is focusing on it.
The impact of technology is there on all business activities of Continental Consulting Limited
including HR, finances, marketing, production and operations.
2. Project management plan
The plan which is used to manage whole project starting from initiation to closure
defining actions that are necessary like that of integrating, preparing and coordinating of all other
activities will be called to as Project Management Plan (Burns, 2016). It will comprise of all
major steps of project which are both important and essential to be included for conducting
successful project. This plan will be including components such as cost, scope, time, quality,
4

communication, risk and resources. But will be having 5 steps which are need to complete the
whole project.
Figure 1: Project management plan
[Source: 5 Phases of Project Management, 2018]
Project initiation- This is starting phase of any of project at which goal and aims of project will
be set including wider phase of level as well. Due diligence on part of stakeholders will be done
in this phase so that they could decide over when to start the planning of project.
Project planning- Under this step manager of project will focus on which plan to be followed in
each of the part and section of project with setting up of SMART objectives 5 Phases of Project
Management, 2018). This step will have scope statement, work breakdown structure, milestones,
Gantt chart, communication plan and risk management plan as well.
Project execution- This will be actual starting of project at which tasks will be divided among
employees as per their task and assigning of resources. Execution will be done based on aims
and objectives with given budget allotted to each team so that whole assignment could be
completed within given timeframe as well.
Project monitoring- Under this stage measurement of project present steps with the set aims and
objective is done so that it could be analysed that whether work is going according to planning or
not (Uyarra, Shapira and Harding, 2016). Key Performance Indicators are used by managers of
project so that they could determine progress and measure performance also.
5

Project closure- The last step of any project which is its closure part will be representing that all
activities and task related to aims and objective of project is been concluded successfully.
Table 1: Scope and time duration
Scope/ stage Expected timeframe
Project initiation 7 days
Project planning 7 days
Project execution 9 days
project monitoring 2 days
Project closing 3 days
Table 2: Resource and cost budget
Activities Budget (£) Expenditure (£)
Project budget 20000
Material purchase:
Printer, paper and other materials 5000
Labour & service cost:
Expert for planning and research (6 persons) 2000
Expert for project implementation 4000
Internet service (28days) 4000
Others 5000
Total 20000 20000
Table 3: Quality control plan
Quality issues Stage Impact Control
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Incorrect project objectives Planning High Review by expert/ supervisor
Unrealistic cost allocation Planning Medium Recording of each expenditure
Wrong project design Planning High Discuss with team members
before implementation
No training to employees Execution Medium Trial before execute
Weak data collection Execution High Review by expert/ supervisor
Incorrect respondents Execution Medium Ensure right person before
data collection
Incorrect data analysis
procedure
Project
monitoring
High Discuss with supervisor before
starting
Insufficient reporting Project closure High Sharing results and ideas with
supervisor
Table 4: Communication plan
Stakeholder Description Frequency Format Week of the
timeline
Participants Initial communication Initially Email 5th week
Respondents Meeting for data
collection
Once In person 7th- 8th week
Project
manager
To show progress Every two
weeks
In person, email Entire period
Team
members
Help for data analysis Once in week In person, email Entire period
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Table 5: Risk management plan
Risk Impact Mitigation
Unrealistic timeline Medium Amendment with detail explanation
Absence of commitment High Focus on the Gantt chart
Weak cost control Medium Balancing cost between activities
Less support from experts Medium Seek support from management
Withdrawal of participants Medium Add extra respondents
Misuse of collected data High Follow ethical issues of the project
3. Work Break down structure and Gantt chart
WBS:
Figure 2: Work Break down structure
[Source: What is Work Breakdown Structure in Project Management, 2018]
WBS within the project management is that structure which breaks whole complete
project into simple and smaller components so that working and handling of whole team is done
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accordingly (What is Work Breakdown Structure in Project Management, 2018). A WBS is the
main component which organises whole working and efforts of team into one particular
direction.
Table 6: Project management plan
Task
mode Task name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Auto
scheduled Preparation phase of project 7 days Thu
9/13/18 Fri 9/21/18
Auto
scheduled Choosing a theme or subject 1 day Thu 9/13/18 Thu 9/13/18
Auto
scheduled
Defining project scope and
objectives 2 days Fri 9/14/18 Mon
9/17/18 2
Auto
scheduled
Select subject or problematic in
carrying out installation 2 days Tue 9/18/18 Wed
9/19/18 2,3
Auto
scheduled Identifying aims and objective 2 days Thu 9/20/18 Fri 9/21/18 3,4
Auto
scheduled Project planning 7 days Mon
9/24/18 Tue 10/2/18 5,1
Auto
scheduled
Application step of
development 3 days Mon
9/24/18
Wed
9/26/18 5
Auto
scheduled Budgeting for project 2 days Thu 9/27/18 Fri 9/28/18 5,7
Auto
scheduled
Communication plan 2 days Mon
10/1/18
Tue 10/2/18 7,8
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Auto
scheduled Project execution 9 days Wed
10/3/18
Mon
10/15/18 8,6
Auto
scheduled Dividing task 2 days Wed
10/3/18 Thu 10/4/18 9
Auto
scheduled Literature review 3 days Fri 10/5/18 Tue 10/9/18 9,11
Auto
scheduled Data collection 4 days Wed
10/10/18
Mon
10/15/18 12
Auto
scheduled Project monitoring 2 days Tue
10/16/18
Wed
10/17/18 13
Auto
scheduled Key performance indication 2 days Tue
10/16/18
Wed
10/17/18 13
Auto
scheduled Project closure 3 days Thu
10/18/18
Mon
10/22/18 15
Auto
scheduled
Conclusion and
recommendation 2 days Thu
10/18/18
Fri
10/19/18 14,15
Auto
scheduled Submission of project 1 day Mon
10/22/18
Mon
10/22/18 15,17
Gantt chart:
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Figure 3: Gantt chart
4. Applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
Research approach-
There are mainly 3 types of approach towards which whole project and its aims are based
on formulating under planning and procedures which is consisting of broader assumptions of
methods to be used in collection and analysis of data (Dodgson, 2018). Deductive approach is
aimed to test the theory which is applied and inductive will be forming a new theory throughout
its use of data and interpretation as well. Whereas abductive will be inference of logical
reasoning with observing complex stage to simplify it in parts. So in this particular research
which is dealing with impact of digital technology on growth of company inductive approach is
chosen. Which will not include any sort of hypothesis and only focus on research questions an
objective to get the aim fulfilled.
Research philosophy-
Any belief or way in which data is collected, interpreted and aims are accomplished will
mean research philosophy. There are many types of philosophies that are used within any type of
researches but only 2 of them are main which are interpretivism and positivism. Interpretivism is
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that philosophy under which approach of social science is followed with qualitative research
methods (Brunswicker and Vanhaverbeke, 2015). While positivism will be recognising only that
system which is formulated based on scientifically verified and that which is capable of logical
proof. In this current research project interpretivism in finding out impact of digital technology
on growth of Continental Consulting Limited is used.
Data collection-
The gathering and measuring of information extent to which data is reliable and must be
collected from valid sources only is called to as data collection. There are mainly 2 types of data
collection sources which are used which are secondary and primary data.
Primary data: Under this type of source all information collected will be based on fresh and new
medium and this time of data is generally collected by researcher themselves practically (Van
Ark, 2016). Various types under this source will be questionnaire, observation chart, focus
group, interviews and surveys. So in this research questionnaire is developed to answer questions
based on impact of digital technology.
Secondary data: This is another type of data collection source which are called second hand data
under these researchers do their research on many old books, historical data, articles, journals
and government websites. This will be giving them authentic data which could be relied upon
and results are also generated.
Data analysis-
It is the process of arranging, correlating and interpreting collected data so that researcher
is being able to find out results and conclusions which is driven from logical testing. Data
analysis is very important part of any research project that concerns upon aims and objective
which are framed at starting. There are also 2 type of data analysis techniques which are based
on type of data collected like qualitative and quantitative.
Qualitative: Under this type of data analysis techniques which is based on defining the
characteristics and nature of research while it will not be having any numeric interpretation of
data (Sussan and Acs, 2017). Qualitative type of data analysis technique will be used to interpret
the questionnaire which is collected so that it could generate specified conclusions based on
aims.
Quantitative: This is having its main focus on numbers or figures of collected data and is done
using various tools and techniques like that of SPSS and Excel. Mean, medium, mode,
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relationship of different variables, Standard deviation and implementing various tests like that of
F-test and T-test are included within quantitative data analysis. This will not be used within
interpreting impact of digital technology on growth and innovation of business operations of
Continental Consulting Limited.
Sampling-
Sampling is taking out various samples from larger number of population and classifying
them on the basis of similar characteristics and nature with use of many different methods is
called to as sampling. (Löfsten, 2016). In this 10 employees of Continental Consulting Limited
will be taken so that they could answer question regarding to impact of digital technology in
supporting SME growth and innovation of company.
Research Questionnaire
Demographic information
Name: ____________
Age: __________
Occupation: __________
Q1. In your opinion, is Continental Consulting Limited using digital technology within all
departments?
Yes  No 
Q2. As per your view why is your company using digital technology?
 To improve business to customer relations
 For recruitment
 Improve departmental communication
 Improve employer employee relations
Q3. In your view, are there any limitations to digital technology?
Yes  No 
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Q4. In your opinion, is your company making preventions with the use of digitalization?
Yes  No 
Q5. In your opinion, recommend ways in which company is able to successfully implement
digital technology
 Training of employees
 Market research
 Improving opportunity for innovation
5. Analyse of research and data collected
Themes 1: Use of digital technology within all departments
Particular Respondents
Yes 6
No 4
Interpretation:
Figure 4: Use of digital technology within all departments
Use of digital technology in all the departments of company is very much necessary as it
will enable management to look upon other important areas of business. Digital technology is
impacting the business and profits of Continental Consulting Limited in positive manner.
Moreover, these will also be helping them to gain competitive advantage over other rivals in
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same industry. As the company is operating into IT sector which is majorly depending upon use
of technologies.
So in this respect about 10 employees were asked the question regarding use of digital
technology in their company. For this 6 of them said that their company is using best form of
digital technology in all its departments while 4 of them said that their company is not using it.
Themes 2: Reason for use of digital technology
Particular Respondents
Improve business customer relation 2
Improve department communication 3
For recruitment 2
Improve employer employee relation 2
Interpretation:
Figure 5: Reason for use of digital technology
As use of digital technology is very much important just like this it is having many use as
well. There are many reasons for the use of technology in company which is helping them to
implement more updated innovations and creative thinking in form of technology.
In this context 10 employees were asked about reason of use of digital technology within
Continental Consulting Limited. so out them 2 of them said that their company is using
technology for improving business and customer relation with use of software and obtaining
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online feedbacks. 3 of them said that to improve communication among department digital is
used within Continental Consulting Limited. 2 of them included that digital technology is used
for recruitment of new employees within company and 2 of them said that to improve
relationship between employer and employee it is used.
Themes 3: Limitations of digital technology
Particular Respondents
Yes 3
No 7
Interpretation:
Figure 6: Limitations of digital technology
With the use and implementation of digital technology there are some risk or limitations
that are associated which will be hampering working and operation of company. Companies
must be overcoming all kind of limitations of digital technologies so that they could be avoiding
all faults. Digital technology is helping firm to lower down their burden, improving speed of
work and identifying areas of improvement. While there are also some limitations of digital
technologies like failure to measure performance and growth of company in terms of quality
improvement.
So 3 of them said that they do think there are some limitations of digital technology
within its use in company. While 7 of them also think that they do not think about any limitation
of digital technology will be encountered at time of its implementation.
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Themes 4: Continental Consulting Limited making prevention with use of digitalisation
Particular Respondents
Yes 7
No 3
Interpretation:
Figure 7: Continental Consulting Limited making prevention with use of digitalization
As there are some of the limitations of digital technology that are identified with this
there are also some preventive steps to be used by company to lower down impact of ill effects
of digital technology. Continental Consulting Limited must be implementing some securities
analysis so that if digital technology is having any threats or risk then it could be prevented.
7 out of 10 included that company are making some preventive steps with use of
digitalisation. While 3 of them also said that company is not making any sort of preventive steps
with use digitalisation.
Themes 5: Recommendation of ways in which Continental Consulting Limited could be
successful to implement digital technology
Particular Respondents
Training of employees 4
Market research 3
Improving opportunity for innovation 3
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Interpretation:
Figure 8: Recommendation of ways in which Continental Consulting Limited could be successful
to implement digital technology
For successful implementation of digital technology there are some recommendations
which could be given to company so that they are implementing technology in effective manner.
Most of the employees out 10 that is about 4 of them said that giving proper training to them
could be good option for the successful implementation of technology. While 3 of them said that
having good market research will be more good option so that company could implement digital
technology and other 3 of them said that improving opportunity for innovation will be better
option than rest.
6. Recommendation and conclusion
From the above research project, it is concluded that using and implementing digital
technology is very much essential in day to day working of any sort of company especially that
of IT sector. The data which is collected and analysed will be drawing many recommendations
so that these are helping in future growth with incorporating innovation and digital technology
within. Some of the recommendations are as follows:
Implementation of technology in all departments- It is recommended that technology
must be executed in each department of organisation so that their impacts are there and growth of
firm is maintained. Technology implementation means that company is incorporating all kinds of
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changes and innovation within their business which is helping them into development and
growth. The suggestion regarding technological changes must be included in organisation which
would help them to incorporate innovative ideas successfully in capturing markets.
Lowering down threats related to digital technology- There are many threats and risk
that are linked with implementing and using up of technologies like that of incurring huge cost,
cybercrime and governance challenges as well. So it is the duty of company that they are
identifying all kind of threats and risk for which they will be planning and making suitable
budgets as well.
Budgeting for technology- This is the most important point which is known to as threat for
organisation is that related to budgeting and costing for technology. Budgeting is the most
important factor which should be considered by managers of firm so that they are been able to
plan for coming future of company. Making and preparing budget for implementation and use of
technology is essential this enable firm to look how much they need to spend, funds they have
and sources of funds as well.
7. Reflection
From the above research project, I have learnt that technologies are playing vital role in
upbringing of employee in IT sector. As I’m currently employed in IT sector so digital
technologies are used on daily bases which enables me to motivate myself to improve my
performance. With the research project I have learnt that in way of setting up of objectives and
own learning or improving performance it is essential to use technologies. I was able to set clear
objectives and aims for my research so that I could be following it throughout my research work.
It also helped me in improving my performance with having intensive research with use of books
and websites as well. I was also able to improve my communication and interacting skills as I
was contacting with employees of company. It helped me in meeting up with goal and objective
that I have set in successful and coherent manner.
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REFERNCES
Books and Journals:
Brunswicker, S. and Vanhaverbeke, W., 2015. Open innovation in small and medium‐sized
enterprises (SMEs): External knowledge sourcing strategies and internal organizational
facilitators. Journal of Small Business Management. 53(4). pp.1241-1263.
Burns, P., 2016. Entrepreneurship and small business. Palgrave Macmillan Limited.
Dodgson, M., 2018. Technological collaboration in industry: strategy, policy and
internationalization in innovation. Routledge.
Loebbecke, C. and Picot, A., 2015. Reflections on societal and business model transformation
arising from digitization and big data analytics: A research agenda. The Journal of
Strategic Information Systems. 24(3). pp.149-157.
Löfsten, H., 2016. Business and innovation resources: Determinants for the survival of new
technology-based firms. Management Decision. 54(1). pp.88-106.
Scuotto, V., Santoro, G., Bresciani, S. and Del Giudice, M., 2017. Shifting intra‐and inter‐
organizational innovation processes towards digital business: an empirical analysis of
SMEs. Creativity and Innovation Management. 26(3). pp.247-255.
Sussan, F. and Acs, Z.J., 2017. The digital entrepreneurial ecosystem. Small Business
Economics. 49(1). pp.55-73.
Uyarra, E., Shapira, P. and Harding, A., 2016. Low carbon innovation and enterprise growth in
the UK: Challenges of a place-blind policy mix. Technological Forecasting and Social
Change. 103. pp.264-272.
Van Ark, B., 2016. The productivity paradox of the new digital economy. International
Productivity Monitor. (31). p.3.
Online:
5 Phases of Project Management. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://www.smartsheet.com/blog/demystifying-5-phases-project-management>.
What is Work Breakdown Structure in Project Management. 2018. [Online]. Accessed through:
<https://www.wrike.com/project-management-guide/faq/what-is-work-breakdown-
structure-in-project-management/>.
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APPENDIX
1. Template for evidence collection to be attached with the report by the learner:
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: Impact of digital
technology supporting small business
growth and innovation that is
especially tailored to: Continental
Consulting Limited UK.
Date: 13/09/2018
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
Research project on: Impact of
digital technology supporting
small business growth and
innovation that is especially
tailored to: Continental
Consulting Limited UK.
Yes
Yes
No.
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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?
Lack of knowledge, Budget
constrain and lack of experts
No.
Problems encountered
 What barriers did you face?
 How did you overcome them?
Communication barriers
By identifying the risk and
planning to overcome them.
New Ideas and change of project
direction
No.
What Have I learnt about myself this
week?
 How did I feel when I had to
deal with tasks/problems?
I felt confidence in dealing out
with problems
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 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?
 How might this learning apply in
the future?
Yes confidence of completion of
task was necessary
I have performed as per roles and
responsibility given to me. I have
contributed in all the activities.
By contributing in research data.
Will be applied in my researching
skills in future context
Tasks planned for next week
 Which tasks are priority?
 Have you set aside sufficient
time for completion?
Data collection
Yes
Project plan status to date (on, ahead,
behind)
On time
Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and date:
2. Template for Performance Review to be attached with the report by the learner:
1. What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
Impact of digital technology supporting small business growth and innovation
that is especially tailored to: Continental Consulting Limited UK.
2. Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please
outline any evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes, aims were achieved towards the end of project as per feedback given from
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my supervisor key performance indicator evaluation was undertaken.
3. 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.
All the aspects worked according to plan only. Project initiation was done on
time with set aims and objectives, project activities were done according to aims
and objective set and project outcome were also there evaluated successfully.
4. What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled?
Was there timely identification of issues and resolution during the project
process?
Problems like that of budget and cost constrains were emerged during time of
project activities and they were lower down by identifying and removing
unnecessary task. There was timely identification of activities including like that
of issues and resolving them as well.
5. What did you learn from undertaking the project?
Leadership skills
Communication skills
Interactive skills
Team management
Data collection and evaluation
6. How would you rate your performance as a management consultant
leading the project?
4 out of 5.
7. What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
Strengths: I was able to clearly set objectives of my team and aims for research
project
Weakness: I was not able to communicate or delegate task and activities of
project.
8. How will this inform and support your continuous professional
development?
I should set targets to improve communication and delegation of work.
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