Change, Strategy, Projects at Work: Comprehensive Report Solution

This report presents a detailed analysis of a project proposal focused on developing an online learning platform. It addresses the need for distance learning, especially in light of changing educational trends and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report outlines the project's aims, stakeholder involvement, and the role of ICT in facilitating communication, driving change, and providing solutions. It includes discussions on project management tools such as WBS, and analyzes the project's timeline and budget, estimating the total time and cost involved. The report highlights the importance of ICT skills for project success and discusses how ICT will be used to improve communication, data collection, market analysis and overall project management. The project is estimated to be completed in 12 weeks with an expenditure of £950. The report concludes that the project is progressing in a planned and careful manner.

CHANGE, STRATEGY AND
PROJECTS AT WORK

TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUESTION 1..................................................................................................................................3
(a).................................................................................................................................................3
(b).................................................................................................................................................3
(c).................................................................................................................................................4
(d).................................................................................................................................................4
(e).................................................................................................................................................5
QUESTION 2..................................................................................................................................5
(a).................................................................................................................................................5
(b).................................................................................................................................................6
QUESTION 3..................................................................................................................................7
(a).................................................................................................................................................7
(b).................................................................................................................................................7
(c).................................................................................................................................................8
(d).................................................................................................................................................8
QUESTION 4..................................................................................................................................9
QUESTION 5................................................................................................................................10
(a)...............................................................................................................................................10
(b)...............................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

QUESTION 1
(a)
The proposal that I developed mainly developed was related to the “Online Learning Program”
where the main purpose was to develop an online learning platform in a feasible manner and for
the general public so that the learning activities could be facilitated in a better manner (Han and
et.al., 2019). The reason that I chose the online learning development as the topic of project
proposal because the change in the educational trends have made it necessary that there are
adequate mechanisms for practicing distance learning as well. For the people who are bound by
geographical distances and by other constraints find the use of such online learning platforms as
extremely beneficial option. Through an online learning platform, the learner can not only learn
even from distant locations which is often referred as distance learning but they can also learn
according to the flexibility i.e. whenever they are able to learn. Due to the easy accessibility of
these online learning platforms, many people can take benefits because there are no physical
boundations. Apart form all these reasons, the recent pandemic Covid- 19 has also made it
relevant that there should be adequate number of online platforms that can facilitate the process
of learning so that students and teachers are not stopped from engaging in educational activities.
This is the reason that I chose online learning platform as the topic of my project proposal.
However, I alone cannot perform all the activities and work that is needed and neither do I have
adequate skills that are required to actively develop the online platform (Al Abid and Karim,
2017). Therefore, I will take assistance of different individuals who can assist me throughout the
project. In order to complete the project proposal successfully, I therefore, entered into the
project partnership with iCRM and the DCS team leader will also be helping in giving the
technical expertise that is required to develop a platform. Before finalising on this idea, I
conducted an extensive study where I conducted Swot analysis etc. I have also identified five
different stakeholders who are interested in my project and will be reported about the progress
throughout the project proposal and research. The aims that I have developed for this project
proposal are directly in accordance with the major goals and objectives of the entire organisation.
Additionally, the customers also have the option to give regular feedbacks and reviews that can
be used to further improve the existing platform.
(b)
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(c)
 Person 1: The role of this person was related to market investigation mainly. The pro tip
that was given for presenting an excellent presentation was that the use of charts, figures,
graphs tables etc. was necessary to improve understanding and create higher interest
levels.
 Person 2: The role that was played was that of coordinator and distribution of activities.
The pro tip regarding presentation was that while speaking communication should be
smooth and the presentation should glide from one topic to another smoothly without any
bumps or abruptness.
 Person 3: The role comprised of marketing of the platform that was developed for the
online learning. The major tip given for an effective presentation was that the core topic
about which the presentation is made should always be supported with relevant, practical
and interesting examples.
 Person 4: The role that this person portrayed was that of the data analyser. The major tip
given regarding presentation was that the presentation should be clearly segregated and
not very crowded. This helps in attracting attention and keeps the slides spacious yet
meaningful
(d)
Out of all the four items that were used in the part b i.e. WBS, Network Diagram, Commitment
Matrix and Gantt chart, the item that could be presented in the presentation in the most articulate
manner is WBS. Since this is a kind of hierarchical flowchart structure, it is pictorial and can be
easily represented (Henao, 2017). WBS are simple blocks that are described in a structural
format and includes different coloured boxes that are properly distributed and described. The
item can be individually presented on one complete slide as it should be easily visible what each
box represents. This is also in accordance with the tip that was given by person 1 who specified
that the best pro tip for good presentation is use of charts, figures, tables etc. Using WBS will
help in addressing that aspect.
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(e)
Table for Question 1:
Associate/colleague role 'Top tip' for a good presentation
Market investigator Use of charts, figures, graphs tables
Coordinator and Distributor Communication and smooth presentation
Marketing Support ppt with relevant, practical and interesting examples
Data Analyser Clearly segregated and not very crowded slides
QUESTION 2
(a)
Information and communication technology is a very important skill and addresses multiple
aspects while addressing different projects (Mwakaje, 2018). The different roles it satisfies are:
ICT as communication: The ICT is a major facilitator of change in the development of
communication strategies and policies that can be implemented in the organisation. The reason
behind this is that when ICT is implemented, the communication aspect is a major part from the
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information technology aspect. Therefore, in order to develop better communication channels, it
is necessary that in a project, all the goals are clear and the communication channels are also
proper where the identity of leader is clear. ICT thus helps in ensuring that the proper
technologies are used in order to facilitate the work.
ICT as change driver: ICT acts as a major change driver because the basic purpose of this skill
is to increase the changes that are related to the information technology. Most of the project
require the use of information technology in present era and in order to facilitate this, ICT is a
comprehensive part which helps in ascertaining that what are the changes in the technology that
are required to be improved or installed in the project work (Meerza and Beauchamp, 2017).
Therefore ICT acts as a change facilitator in the aspect of technological changes that are required
to be included in the work because it is mainly relevant with changes in technology only.
ICT as solution provider: Providing and developing proper solutions regarding changes that are
facilitated in the project can be assured through ICT. It helps in ascertaining the best
communicational channels or techniques that can be used and the information systems that need
to be modified and implemented in order to improve the existing position of the project. Apart
from this, ICT also resolves other issues such as better integration, better communication and
better strategies for ensuring that the objectives of the project and the teams that are using this
technique are achieved by better IT knowledge as well (Almerich and et.al., 2016).
ICT as a support: ICT acts as a support system for the activities that are being undertaken in the
project as it simplifies the entire process of working. It helps in conducting better research
because the data collection can be easily facilitated using this technology effectively. This is just
one aspect, as ICT also facilitates the selection and evaluation of different options that are
available, and all this can be easily done due to better networks and technological sources
through which information can be easily derived. Therefore, it can be concluded that the role of
ICT as a support system is also very crucial and effective in implementing changes and
performing other functions in projects and teams.
(b)
The skill of ICT will be hugely beneficial for my proposed project because its main purpose is to
develop the information technologies in the organisation (Panda and et.al., 2019). My proposal is
also based on the online learning platform that can be developed in order to enhance and
facilitate the learning amongst people. ICT can be used to identify that what exact requirements
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need to be included in the online platform website and how this can be regularly updated. The
use of ICT will help in evaluating the trends in the market related to online learning and then also
assist in monitoring the trends of the performance i.e. the number of customers that are being
associated due to such online platforms etc. The use of this skill will also help in improving the
communication strategies that are being adopted by the project members related to the online
platform development because it will simplify the tasks of manual instructions. The avoidance of
unnecessary time and resource wastage due to this technique will be helpful in concentrating on
other more important activities such as the better collection of data, correct market analysis,
better monitoring and improvement mechanisms (Delgado and et.al., 2019). Rather than just
developing a platform, it is necessary to update this platform regularly and this can be done only
through the use of ICT because regular change implementation, supporting the desired changes,
and evaluating all the desired technological development that needs to be incorporated on the
online platform. All these activities can be facilitated and implemented only through better
management of ICT.
Therefore, it can be said that the use of ICT skills would be instrumental in the success of my
intended project proposal idea of developing an online learning platform. It will be help in
successful initiation and successful maintenance as well.
QUESTION 3
(a)
The total time taken in the completion of the project will be approximately 12 weeks i.e. 84 days
maximum. As per the budgeted cost of work scheduled the extreme right hand coordinate can be
ascertained as the point where the time will be approximately 12 weeks and the expenditure that
will be required is £950. This is the last point at which the project will ultimately be finished i.e.
completed entirely. The intermediate points therefore would be (12, 950).
(b)
In the start of the project the time coordinate on the x- axis will be zero but the cost incurred will
also be equivalent to zero only because until the start of the project only an idea has been
developed and no actual work has been started. The intermediate points therefore would be (0,
0). This will help in ascertaining that there are no significant costs that have been incurred
because the time taken is also zero.
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(c)
There will be two major intermediate points between the completion of the project and the start
of the project. These are majorly situated at the first intermediate point where the time completed
would be four weeks and the cost incurred would be £390. The next intermediate point is at the 7
weeks where the cost incurred in £600. Therefore, the two intermediate points are, point 1 which
is at (4, 390) and point two which is at (7, 600).
(d)
It can be fairly estimated that the project is completely in synchronisation with the estimated
time that was ascertained for the development of online platform. This helps in concluding that
the project will be completed in time and the cost incurred will also be in the budget that has
been developed because the estimates show that the project is proceeding step by step in an
extremely planned and careful manner (Mwakaje, 2018). The reason that this project is going in
accordance with the estimate time and cost values is that:
 The planning done was very proper and appropriate without any significant changes.
 Every step was closely monitored and only after successfully completing every step, the
project will be proceeded to the next step completion.
 The monitoring and evaluation practices were extremely comprehensive and this further
helped in avoiding any extra costs and time that might have been incurred.
Project
start
Intermediate
point expressed
in days (e.g.
one-third
through)
Intermediate
point expressed in
days (e.g. two-
thirds through)
Project
completion
Duration (days) 0 days 30 days 58 days 84 days
Committed
cost/expenditure
(£)
£0
£390
£600 £950
Coordinates (0, 0)
(4, 390
(7, 600) (12, 950)
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QUESTION 4
The major problem that can be incurred in the development of online platform is that
incorrect display where it can either become too crowded, or it can be ambiguous or it can also
be confusing for the users. This development of the correct interface that is properly organised
and categorised is very important in order to ensure simplified navigation on the online platform.
The Plan – Do – Check – Act technique which is also referred as PDCA cycle is one of the
most effective techniques that can be used in order to resolve any problems that might be faced
in the completion of the project (Zhou, Cui and Huang, 2017). The reason that this approach is
selected is because it is extremely methodological and will help in meeting the problem of
unorganised online platform, if it arises. This PDCA cycle can be applied in following manner:
 Plan: In order to plan for the things that have gone wrong, in this stage different ideas are
evaluated. If the problem of unorganised platform arises, then the first step would be to
brainstorm efficient ideas that can be used in order to stop the occurrence of such a
problem (Sangpikul, 2017). The best solution in this case is to hire a professional website
developer that can note all the requirements that are to be included and then organise
everything systematically.
 Do: In this step, the best idea that has been developed will be actually implemented
effectively (Zhou, Cui and Huang, 2017). Here, the website developer can be actually
hired where he will be presented with all the potential requirements of the website and
then he will design it according to the wishes. This will help in resolving the problem
thus faced.
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 Check: At this stage, the changes that have been implemented are evaluated i.e. whether
they were able to generate the results that were desired or not (Van Grootven and et.al.,
2019). After the website is developed, this is then evaluated that whether it is presentable
or not and can be tested by some actual users as well. This will help in identify any
further changes that are to be made or any modifications that need to be included.
 Act: After the success of the website will be ensured by the testing done on the small
number of users, the platform can be successfully launched for the wider scale of
population that wants to access it (Silva, Medeiros and Vieira, 2017). However, regular
maintenance and change with changing trends is still necessary thus keeping the cycle in
continuance.
By the implementation of this method for problem solving, the flexibility and easy
operation of the online platform can be ensured where the number of users can increase and the
interface also becomes extremely friendly. This will increase the overall accessibility of the
platform in the wider context.
QUESTION 5
(a)
Selected key activity
from Table 1,
Section 5.2, Block 3
Study Guide
Underpinning
elemental
employability skills
from Table 2.3,
Worksheet 2.3
Current assessment
of skills (1–5)
Comments
Skill 1
Self Management
3 Self management is
extremely proper and
appropriate
(i) Key activity (most
confident)
Skill 2
Technological
Management
5 I have adequate
knowledge and skill
for technological
management
Shaping Goals Skill 3
Learning
4 I am quick at learning
but need to develop it
further
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Skill 4
Initiative and
Enterprise
5 My enterprise and
initiative skills are
also extraordinary
Skill 5
Communication
2 I am not very good at
easily communicating
(ii) Key activity (least
confident)
Skill 6
Team Work
1 This is the most poor
aspect where I cannot
lead a team or
integrate them
Moving Things
Forward
Skill 7
Problem Solving
3 I am average at
problem solving
activities
Skill 8
Planning and
Organising
4 I am comparatively
better at planning and
organising activities
but I need to further
develop them.
(b)
The major skill that I would prioritise for my development is obviously the communication and
problem solving skills because this will help me in ultimately addressing the team work and
responsibilities in a better manner thus helping in making the team work forward in any adverse
situation as well (Dong and et.al., 2017). In order to develop this skill collectively, I would
engage in certain classified activities that will help in addressing these:
 I will tend to develop a s many creative and innovative solutions as possible so that I can
develop practical solutions that will resolve problem solving.
 I will take initiative to communicate better in a team and apply strategies for improving my
communication skills such as joining coaching classes, practicing with others etc. (Ferreira,
Künn-Nelen and De Grip, 2017).
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 I will focus more on relationship development where I can try to work on productive
relationships that will help in addressing both the problems of communication as well as
team work.
 I will try to analyse and identify the different personalities of all the team member so that in
situation of crisis, I will be able to assign correct roles and responsibilities to appropriate
individuals thus helping in better problem solving and team work (Dixit, 2018).
 I would also give much larger emphasis to feedbacks so that I can regularly improve my
practices and skills and work on the areas where I lack. This is the key in my development
of skills.
 I will try to communicate the solutions that I will develop creatively so that the process of
understanding can be simplified and the productivity can be ultimately improved (Hamori,
2018).
 I will regular test the solutions that I am developing so that I can effectively implement only
those solutions that will help in generating positive influence as much as possible.
Therefore, collectively, by engaging in these multiple activities I will be able to address all the
problems adequately and improve myself in a better manner.
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