Project Management Report: Debenhams RFID Implementation Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive overview of project management principles applied to Debenhams' RFID implementation. It begins with an introduction to project management and its significance, then focuses on Debenhams' RFID project, outlining its objectives and benefits. The main body critically evaluates various project management theories, including Agile, Prince2, lean management, and Waterfall, and their application in the RFID project. The report explores the project life cycle (4D) and delves into the Agile Project Management Theory, discussing its advantages and disadvantages, and highlighting DSDM methodologies. It also details the eight principles of the Agile DSDM methodology, emphasizing their importance for successful project execution. The report concludes by summarizing key findings and insights into effective project management strategies for RFID implementation, making it a valuable resource for students studying project management.

PROJECT
MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Project management is the application of processes, methods, cognition, skills and
experience in order to attain the objectives of the project. A project is a unique, transient
endeavour, undertaken to achieve planned objectives that could be defined in terms of output,
outcomes or benefits. Project management is the planning, organising as well as managing the
efforts to execute the successful project (Rolfe, Segal and Cicmil, 2016).
In this project, Debenhams is being chosen for assignment. It is a British multinational
retailer operating under a department store format in the United Kingdom and Ireland with
franchise stores in other nations. William Debenhams is the founder of Debenhams and it was
founded in 1778. The project of the company is RFID which stand for Radio Frequency
Identification.
This report will present the significance of project management and role of project
manager in managing the project. Furthermore, project management theories will be critically
evaluated in this report.
MAIN BODY
Overview of Debenhams Project: RFID
Debenhams is going to implement the project within operations in order to make the
services more effective and efficient to achieve better customer satisfaction. RFID stands for
“Radio-Frequency Identification” and refers to technology that digital encoded in smart labels or
RFID tags are captured by a reader through radio waves. Debenhams is deploying the RFID
technology within operation to get better inventory management, asset tracking, personnel
tracking, ID Badging and supply chain management (Bhattacharya and Wamba, 2018).
Project Management Theories and its Application in RFID
According to Turner and Ledwith, (2018) project management is the discipline of using
established and recognised principles, processes as well as policies in order to guide the project
successfully form conception through completion. It is very important that project manager
should apply all the theories and principles to make and lead the project to the stager of success.
The project of RFID is highly esteemed one as it must be handle properly by the project
manager. It is very essential that project manager use and applied proper process and steps
should be followed realise from initiation, planning, execution, control and closure of the project.
Agile, Prince2, lean management, Waterfall etc. are most common theories of project
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management which are used by project manager of RFID for successful completion of the
project. However, Lakemond and et.al., (2016) project management also allows efficient and
effective utilisation of resources. The evolution of project charter helps to gain the proper
understanding of project objectives, stakeholders, deliverables and resources utilised in the
project. It the responsibility of project manager of RFID that all the resources must be acquired
and allocated in such a manner that resources are utilised effectively and efficiently as well as it
also helps in completing the project in given deadline. The quality of project of RFID will be
presented through effective utilisation of resources.
Project Life Cycle 4D
As per the views of Steenkamp and Bekker, (2018) project life cycle is an important part
of the project management where the sequence of the phases that a project goes through from its
initiation to its closure. In the first stage of project initiation, the project manager of RFID will
define the project objectives for its stakeholders. A suitable response to the requirements is
documented in a business case with a recommended option for solution. Feasibility study is also
conducted in this phase to identify that each option address the project objectives along with
final suggested solution is identified. Further, the project resources, deliverables and project team
are undertaken in the stage of initiation. The key activities conduced in the project of RFID are
risk, communication, quality and configuration. However, Volkov and Kuzina, (2016) stated
that, in planning phase, necessary steps will be taken to meet the project objectives. Various
type of roles and responsibilities are assigned to all the team members and resources along with
the strategies are also determined to make the project successful. Time scale will also be
formulated in this phase where the cost will also estimate for each task. Project manager will also
prepare risk management plan for RFID project to identify the risk factors and mitigate the
impact of risk.
Conforto and et.al., (2016) stated that implementing phase of 4D where the project plan
is put into motion along with all the work of the project is performed. At this stage, project
manager used to control as well as communicate all the important information regarding
implementation. Moreover, this stage of project requires close monitoring of the performance so
that project of RFID can reach to its closure. Project manager will use various tools for
measuring the performance like KPI, Benchmarking and others to make the project success.
Additionally, all the important information is communicated to the stakeholders. Moreover,
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Matějka and Tomek, (2017) stated that, closure phase is the last stage of the project management
where the project of RFID is delivered to client or customers. Project manager will communicate
the information of closure. Lastly, project manager will conduct the lesson learned from this
project to identify what went well and what did not. This lesson study will help in development
of skills in the future.
Agile Project Management Theory in RFID
According to Conforto and et.al., (2016) Agile theory of project management is an
additive as well as iterative approach to present necessitate through the project life cycles. This
theory guides the processes and methods of project as it aids in breaking down of the project into
small parts which are accomplished in work sessions which run from design stage to testing
along will quality assurance. This theory is used by the project manager of RFID in order to
make sure that teams to release section as they are completed as this continuous release plan
allows for teams to exhibit that these sections are successful. However, Hoda and Murugesan,
(2016) said that, Agile methodology overcome the risk of big failures. At each and every stage,
project manager will manage the project of RFID.
Once it is important to understand the agile development processes to understand the
agile project management. In this methodology it is quite essential that entire team must be
tightly integrated that indulges developers, project management, customers and quality
assurance. To make the integration possible, communication plays a strategic role. Open
communication is followed in this theory. It also allows better customer satisfaction because of
frequent delivery of valuable project. But another Maylor and Turner, (2017) argued with the
fact that, Agile lead to poor planning of resources as it is mainly based on the idea that team
won't able know what is their end results which is not at all good for the project success. Further,
agile is also highly time consuming process which is also one of the key drawback of this theory
that impact on the outcomes of the project. It consumes more time because it regularly interacts
with testers, developed and customers that consume huge amount of time.
About DSDM Agile Methodologies
As per the views of Lehnen, Schmidt and Herstatt, (2016) there is one of the best
methods that is applied in Debenhams for implementing RFID project is DSDM. It is a method
that addresses the needs of both the development of simple product where teams are likely to be
co-located and more complex project situations that might include various teams which might be
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distributed and may even be in various nations as well as time zone. There are eight principles
that need to be followed so that RFID project is free from overruns of cost or late delivery or
final deliverables not being entirely fit for intention. This method is applied for this project
because it mainly emphasizes on software development method. Anwer and et.al., (2017) is
disagreed with the fact that, this method do not provide better outcomes when the delivery of
software is on large scale. It is very not so easy to assess the efforts needed at the starting of the
development of software life cycle. Further, it is also had fewer focus on important
documentation and designing.
Principles of Agile Methodology
According to the Mirza and Datta, (2019) there are eight principles which demonstrate an
attribute and manner of working. In implementation of RFID project, the project manager will
continuously manage these principles it is because if these are not considered it will create risk to
the successful execution as well as closing of project. The first principle of Agile DSDM method
is to Focus on the business needs as the project that Debenhams project of RFID is going to
implement this principle to raise productivity by better inventory management, asset tracking,
personnel tracking, ID Badging and supply chain management (Eight Principles of Agile DSDM
Methodology, 2018). In order to achieve better result, project manager of RFID will prepare the
business case. It makes clear goals, solution, and cost, benefits and time duration for completing
the project. This principle is mainly applied at the stage of initiation of project life cycle.
As per the views of Silva, Schramm, and Damasceno, (2016) deliver on time is another
principle that is followed by the project manager to complete the project of RFID. As per this
principle, all the task and activities should be allocated proper time or time-box all the activities
of the project. Further, project manager should also focus on priorities of the company and
always try to hit the deadlines. However, Pope-Ruark, (2015) stated that, collaboration is the
Agile DSDM principle that is essential for every work either small or big. As per this principle, it
is focus on team work and open communication strategies with the single culture of team
because it encourages better understanding and share ownership. According to the words of
Brhel and et.al., (2015) next principle is that project manager should never compromise on
quality. It is the duty and responsibility of project manager should continuously monitor and
manage the quality by using strategic tools like KPI metric, 360 degree analysis, benchmarking
etc. The document and design of RFID project should be ensured by the project manager.
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Mergel, Gong and Bertot, (2018) stated another principle of Agile DSDM, build
incrementally from firm foundations as it allows undertaking the benefits of work before the
completion of final work, boosting the confidence level of stakeholder along with the feedback.
Project manager of RFID will fulfil this principle to carry-out suitable analysis as well as enough
design up front (EDUF) in order to develop strong foundation of Debenhams RFID project.
However, the next principle is to develop iteratively, according to this, it should be kept in mind
that work done by the project manager or any other team member is always right for the first
time. Principle states that, project manager should apply time-box in order to allow for change to
acquire right solution. The project manager of RFID, project manager will feedback approach
from customers, employees or management into each iteration. Change management techniques
will be implemented by project manager for developing iteratively.
Continuous and clear communication principle of Agile DSDM stated by Levy, Short
and Measey, (2015) demonstrate that getting the project of RFID to successful closure phase, it
is very important to communicate all the information to the stakeholders. For that, project
manager will conduct daily stand-ups, workshops, modelling, presentation, prototyping as well
as boost informal face to face communication. Lastly, the principle of Agile DSDM is
demonstrating control for better outcomes of the project work as identified from the views of
Moran, (2015) It is the duty of project manager to have proper and tight control over the work
performed by the team member on regular basis and take action at a time so that errors can be
sort out at the first stage. Project manager should monitor the progress of business case, however,
it lies on the stage of initiation and planning but its impact lies on the close of the project as well.
Controlling makes the work finer and error free which also fulfils the principle of maintaining
quality of work.
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Illustration 1: Eight Principles of Agile DSDM Methodology
(Source: Eight Principles of Agile DSDM Methodology, 2018)

About Kanban Agile Methodologies
As per the findings of Saltz and Crowston, (2017) Kanban is another one of the most
popular methodology that can be applied in the RFID project of Debenhams. This methodology
helps in managing the task in a strategic manner. It refers to the visualization of the work.
Maximising the flow or efficiency of work and limiting WIP. Project manager will formulate
separate team called Kanban team that only emphasize on reducing or minimizing the time
period of the work from its beginning to end. However, Kirovska and Koceski, (2015) said that,
Kanban team mostly use Kanban board along with improving the work on continuous basis.
There are mainly three principles that need to be followed by project manager in the RFID are
Workflow, Work in Progress, Enhance Flow. The best feature of Agile Kanban methodologies is
that all the changes in the project can be made at any time as well as it works more effectively in
operational environment with a high degree of variability. It also helps in minimizing the waste
by removing all those activities or elements which do not create value to the project.
Limitation and Concerns of Agile
 The documents of the project in Agile methodology is kept side-tracked that makes it
difficult for any new members to understand and get the speed.
 In Agile it is quote complex to evaluate the progress it is because advancements happen
over various cycles (Cooper and Sommer, 2018).
 Agile is highly time and resource consuming due to frequent interaction or
communication with each other.
 The principle of Agile close cooperation is very difficult in corporate cultures.
 Agile provide the best result when the project is not so big which require only six to 8
team members to accomplish the work (Canty, 2015).
 Agile is also highly expensive to implement during the project life cycle as requires
greater demands on clients and developers.
 Decision making activity is only done by senior programmers in the process of
development which sometimes creates the possibility of rejection, demotivation and
confusion as well (Kostalova, Tetrevova and Svedik, 2015).
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CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that, application of processes, methods,
cognition, skills and experience is very important for successful completion of the project of the
company. All the phases of project life cycle needs to performed effectively performed to start
from initiation to closure so that the flow of project can be maintained to the greatest extend.
Quality, time, communication and risk assessment are important elements in the completing the
project of the organisation. Further, report has also summarises that features, importance,
advantages of Agile methodology as it is one of the best way to overcome the risk of big failures.
Further, Agile methodologies was undertaken by the project manager as it leads to customer
satisfaction and better interation fo stakeholders. DSDM and Kanban methodologies of Agile
were considered the best way to maintain flow of project and lead it successful closure.
Moreover, controlling makes the work finer and error free and it is the best element of the project
success.
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Online:
Eight Principles of Agile DSDM Methodology. 2018. [ONLINE]. AVAILABLE THROUGH:
<https://www.knowledgetrain.co.uk/agile/the-dsdm-principles>.
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