Managing Successful Business Projects: Digital Tech Impact Report

This report assesses the impact of digital technology, particularly cloud technology, on small businesses, using Continental Consulting Limited as a case study. It outlines project aims, objectives, and a project management plan covering cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk, and resources. The report includes a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart for project visualization. It employs qualitative and quantitative research methods, analyzes collected data, and offers recommendations for enhancing business efficiency and growth. The report emphasizes the benefits of cloud technology, such as minimized IT costs, flexibility, and automatic updates, and concludes with a discussion on the value of the research in meeting stated objectives and enhancing learning and performance. The research aims to determine how cloud technology supports small business growth and innovation, addressing key questions about its benefits, necessity, and effectiveness.

MANAGING SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1...........................................................................................................................................1
P1 Project aims and objectives...............................................................................................1
P2 Project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality, communication,
risk, and resources..................................................................................................................3
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart....................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods............7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5 Research and data using appropriate tools and techniques...............................................9
P6 Appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data analysis........................18
TASK 4.........................................................................................................................................19
P7 Value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own learning and
performance..........................................................................................................................19
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
Digital technology refers to the electronic tools, resources, system and devices which
generate, process and also store data. It consists online games, multimedia, social media, cloud
computing, mobile devices etc. It enables storing and manipulating of large information which
can be easily stored in a compact device. This present report is based on Continental Consulting
Limited and it is business consultancy and research firm. Its main work is to provide potential
consumers and Business Process Re-engineering involve medium and small production
organisations. In this report mentions of aims and objectives of given project (Berman And et.
al., 2012). This report will identify Gantt chart and work breakdown structure properly. Project
management plan that covers cost, risk, resources, time and quality will also be discussed under
mention assignment. For collect relevant and accurate data or information, firm use appropriate
techniques and tools.
TASK 1
P1 Project aims and objectives
For development and expansion of business, business firm use effective strategy and
planning. Project refers to planned of set interrelated activities to be implemented over fixed time
period and with certain cost and some other limitations. Project consists all guidelines like
controlling and coordination process which are to be carried out effectively by person assigned.
Digital technology is helpful in enhance speed of data transmission which could be utilised by
business for its gains. Technology gives effective tools and techniques which are used through
organisations to attain success as well as development (Chen, Chiang and Storey, 2012).
Continental Consulting Limited is small company and its work on providing consultancy
services to small and medium size firms. All functions of small organisation like promotion,
marketing and accounting are improved through advance in computer, communication
technology and network. In this present time period, each and every company use digital
technology for enhancing effectiveness of business. In addition to this, technology has more
affect on business activities in a negative and positive manner based on products, objectives and
goals developed through company. It is a responsibility of manager to inform employees
relating to latest adoption of technology in business operations. It helps small companies to
implement business operations and conduct them at large scale. There are many social media
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tools which helps business to connect with large number of people. Different social media
platforms are twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram etc. These all are helpful in increase
efficiency of process of communication and maximise sales of services.
Topic: Impact of digital technology supporting small business.
Background of Project:
Digital technology revolutionised way to conduct business. By adopting digital
technology in business, firm can transform its business activities as well as operations. In
addition to this, use of the digital mobile technology gives businesses with better opportunities. It
is helpful in make existing services of Continental Consulting Limited more innovative as well
as profitable (Garrison, Wakefield and Kim, 2015). Under this, main digital technology that help
in support business is use cloud technology. It enables storages, sharing and effective filling of
information with use of internet storing platforms. Cloud technology refers to method for
delivering the Information Technology services under which the resources are to be retried from
Internet with the help of applications and web based tools as opposed to better connection to
server. The small size companies provides better employment opportunities to local people and
through this their living standard will be enhanced. In this, it is necessary for Continental
Consulting Limited to execute digital technology in its operations in order to make improvement
in quality of its services. Digitalisation develops positive impact on business operations and
activities to conduct business smoothly. Continental Consulting Limited introduces the digital
technology or business activities expansion along with the profit. It is helpful in provide better
opportunities to business firm to improve brand image and also attain large market share.
Aim: “To determine impact of cloud technology supporting small business growth and
innovation. A case study on Continental Consulting Limited”.
Objectives:
 To determine benefits of cloud technology for small business organisations.
 To evaluate need of cloud computing in business of Continental Consulting Limited.
 To identify effectiveness of cloud technology to enhance business efficiency.
Questions:
 What are benefits of cloud technology for small business organisations?
 What is need of cloud computing in business of Continental Consulting Limited?
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 What is effectiveness of cloud technology to enhance business efficiency?
Benefits of cloud technology for small business organisations
The cloud computing gives many advantages to small scale business. It helps in set up
what is necessary virtual office to provide flexibility of connecting the business any time and any
where. Different advantages of cloud technology is mention below as above:
Minimize IT costs- Moving to the cloud technology is helpful in minimize cost of
maintaining as well as managing the IT systems. Under this, rather than buying the expensive
equipment and systems for business, Continental Consulting Limited can minimize cost through
using resources of cloud services provider.
Flexibility of work practices- The cloud technology permits the staff members to be
flexible in working practices. For an instance, if firm has an ability for access the data then cloud
technology is an effective method. Under this, if Continental Consulting Limited require to
access to data while the off- site then it can be connect to virtual office in an easy and quick
manner.
Access to automatic updates- For IT requirements, access to the automatic updates may
be consist in service fee. Based on the cloud computing service provider, system of company can
be updates regularly with the latest technology. It can be involve update software version and
also upgrade computer processing power and servers.
P2 Project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality, communication,
risk, and resources
Project management plan refers to document that use to explain each phrase of project. It
is developed through firms for finish particular project. Before implementation to any tasks and
activities concerned with project, it is necessary for firm to develop project plan by including
communication, time, quality and scope of necessary project. It is helpful as it provides and
supports better direction to management of Continental Consulting Limited to execute project in
significant way. Plan is helpful in finishing project on the basis of give time frame. In order to
operate tasks by use of digital technology, there is a requirement to Continental Consulting
Limited to develop project management plan by consider necessary aspects (Laudon and
Laudon, 2016). Different aspects related to project plan mention below:
Scope of project- In this modern era, needs and demands of people are changing rapidly
as development as well as improvement is taken place in the technology. It is helpful in increase
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scope related to business operations of company. Under this, there is a wide scope and it consist
regarding execution of scope of tasks in Continental Consulting Limited after execution of
digital technology. It helps staff members to understand regarding diversified services of firm. It
is helpful for firm to give better direction to work of staff members in order to achieve desired
outcomes.
Time- It is essential factor and in this management set time period on the basis of
activities in project management plan. It is helpful in understand necessary time needed in
execution of digital technology in business. In addition to this, it is a responsibility of employees
to perform activities on the basis of given time period properly (Oliveira, Thomas and Espadanal,
2014). It helps management to identify viability of project and also benefits to operations of firm.
Cost- IT factor is necessary and helpful in identify cost that needed at the time of
execution of digital technology in business. This factor helps management to develop budget for
perform functions and tasks of various departments. In context to this, it guides staff members of
Continental Consulting Limited to perform functions on the basis of given budget and enhance
profit level.
Particulars Amount
Initial investment 100000
Expenses:
Research and developmental activities 25500
Operational expenses 15600
Cost to IT experts 21500
Maintenance 16400
Licensing fee 6000
Closing value 15000
Quality- At the time of making plan, main focus on company is on providing better
quality of services after execution of technology. It is helpful in understand regarding
contribution of digital technology for improving services. It aids accounting, finance and
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marketing department to increase service quality and contribute towards attaining set aims with
in given time period ( Ross and Blumenstein, 2013).
Risk- Digital technology is helpful in control risk in better manner related to functions.
Under this, manager should focus on identify risk in firm and evaluate the necessary solutions.
Digital technology is helpful for Continental Consulting Limited to provide online services to
people and it aids in save time and cost. Through this, chances of mistakes will be minimized
and business activities can be expand.
Communication- Digital technology is helpful in improving communication in firm.
Through using better technology, firm can improve communication among firm, employees and
consumers. It helps in enhancing corporation as well as coordination between staff members and
various teams in firm. If communication will be better then employees will focus on achieving
set aims and objectives of business. Through this their performance level will be enhanced in
significant way.
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart
It is essential for business firm to segment its work among the various departments. It
aids firm to finish various functions with in specific period of time. For attaining set aims and
objectives, it is necessary that an investigation should be conduct by researcher in successful
manner.
Work break down structure- IN project management, it is deliverable oriented
decomposition of the project in small components. It provides essential structure for the detailed
estimation of cost as well as control with giving proper guidance for schedule control and
development (Weinman, 2012). This model of work can be performed to organize project in
hierarchical structure. Work break down structure gives detailed information and data regarding
activity, scheduling and deliverables of every component. It is helpful in manage the large
project in well manner. Break large project in to the small chunks and completed through various
team members.
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(Source: Work Breakdown Structure, 2017)
Gantt chart- It is bar chart that gives graphical demonstration of schedule that aids in
planning, tracking and coordination of particular tasks with in project. It is generally used in
project management and useful in showing tasks or activities against time. It is timeline and used
as tool of project management to illustrate to run a project. Under this, there are different
activities included.
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Critical path method is algorithm for scheduling the project activities. It is used in the
conjunction with program evaluation and review technique (PERT). It is identified through
determine longest part of dependent activities as well as measuring time that will need to
complete them from begin to finish.
In the Gantt chart, there are many activities included such as literature review, research
methodologies, data collection, data analysis, project write- up and presentation of project. Under
this, literature review is helpful in provide the answers or solution of the research questions in a
detailed manner. Research methodology is techniques to analyse the information about
particular research topic. After this, data collection is an effective way to gather the information
and data so that research can be conducted in a proper manner. After collection the data, there is
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a requirement to analysis it by using the graphs and interpretation. After completing the project,
the last stage is submission of research project.
TASK 2
P4 Small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
There are several methods of research used through an investigator to conduct an
investigation related to specific topic of research. Methods are helpful in provide accurate
information and data from respondents as well as various sources. Different research methods are
used through Continental Consulting Limited to gather information related to impact of digital
technology on innovation and growth of small business. There are two different research
methods given below:
Quantitative method- IT aids an investigator to gather data or information in the form of
figures, statistic and facts. It emphasis measurement of objectives and mathematical, numerical
and statistical analysis of gathered data by questionnaire, surveys and polls to manipulating pre-
existing statistical data by using computational tools (Chen, Chiang and Storey, 2012).
Qualitative method- It is scientific observation method to collect the non- numerical
data or information. This kind of research method is related with concepts definitions,
metaphors, meanings, characteristics and also explanation of things. This method consists
investigation methods and concepts from many situated academic areas.
Other than these, research collect accurate and reliable data from many different sources
concerned to given research topic. There are two different sources to data collection primary and
secondary. These are mention below:
Primary- It is necessary data collection source which gives fresh or used accurate
information and data. There are many different ways to gather necessary data like questionnaire,
observation, surveys etc. Under this, an investigator use questionnaire on which different
questions are mentioned related top research topic.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Address:
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Contact number:
Q1) Do your organisation have cloud technology to function their operations?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Did you observe any changes after implementing of cloud technology in business?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) What type of changes noticed after implemented cloud technologies in Continental
Consulting Limited?
a) Positive
b) Negative
Q4) Does cloud computing provides advantages to business of Continental Consulting
Limited?
a) Yes
b) No
Q5) What are benefits of cloud technology to Continental Consulting Limited business?
a) Minimise IT costs
b) Continuity of business
c) Flexibility of work practices
d) Minimize foot print
Q6) Does cloud technology helps business to enhance growth rate of company with in
given time period?
a) Yes
b) No
Q7) What are the barrier or challenges emerged after executing Cloud Technology within
Continental Consulting Ltd?
a) Privacy and security
b) Economic Value
c) Interoperability
Q8) How can Continental Consulting Ltd overcome from the emerged issues to control the
outcome?
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a) Revise cloud services adoption roadmap
b) Prepare IT strategy
Q9) What are effectiveness of implementing cloud technology in Continental Consulting
Ltd business?
a) Cost saving
b) Easy access
c) Share information easily
Q10) Recommend expected modification that can be applied to support cloud technology
and emphasise its influence?
Secondary- In this, data and information is collected by an investigator from different
ways such as libraries, books, journals and articles. Researcher can easily search information and
data from all these sources.
Under this proposed method that is chosen for conducting investigation is qualitative and
data or information is to be collected by using the secondary as well as primary sources in a
proper manner. Under this, selected population is 30 and method of data sampling that is used
collect the data is random sampling method because it provides the equal chance to population.
Investigation in to the consideration is depend on adopting the advances and new
technologies at workplace for conducting the business operations in a significant manner. Under
this, qualitative research tool is used because it is helpful in giving provide the theoretical
knowledge under which the problems are explained in significant manner. On the other hand,
data collection is identifies as most necessary tool which plays a necessary role in collecting the
relevant and appropriate information for getting the better outcome. There is primary data
collection method used through investigator for collecting the accurate data or information. In
specific research. Under this, questionnaire is developed for gathering information about the
particular research from respondents. On the other hand, secondary method is effective in order
to developing theoretical framework through collecting information from internet sources,
journals etc.
Data sampling- It is replicates from original population as under this specific
investigation,random sampling method has been applied through investigator as to collecting the
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