A Case Study: Digital Technologies' Impact on M&S Business Activities

This report presents a comprehensive case study on the impact of digital technologies on Marks and Spencer's (M&S) business activities. It begins with an introduction that highlights the crucial role of digital technologies in modern business operations, particularly in enhancing service quality and efficiency. The report outlines the aims and objectives of the project, focusing on understanding the significance of digital technologies for various departments within M&S. It details the project management plan, including cost estimations, time frames, and risk assessments, along with the use of tools like Work Breakdown Structure, Gantt charts, and network diagrams. The research methodology involves primary and secondary data collection, with a focus on a survey of M&S managers to gather their views on digital technologies. The report also includes a questionnaire used for data collection. The report analyzes the current state of M&S's business operations, the impact of digital techniques, and the departments responsible for the project. It evaluates the implementation of digital technologies, customer satisfaction, and forecasting further business activities using digital techniques. Finally, the report concludes with recommendations for managing projects and leveraging digital technologies to improve M&S's effectiveness and competitiveness.

MANAGING SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE..............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1) Aims and objectives of project.............................................................................................1
P2) Project management plan......................................................................................................2
P3) Time frames and stages for project completion....................................................................4
M1) Comprehensive project management plan..........................................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4) Research methods.................................................................................................................7
M2) Project logbook.................................................................................................................18
D1) Reflection on project management plan............................................................................19
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................19
P5) Research tools and techniques............................................................................................19
P6) Recommendations on research and data analysis...............................................................20
P7) Reflection on own learning and performance.....................................................................21
M3) Performance review...........................................................................................................21
M4) Evaluate the value of project management process..........................................................22
D2) Critical evaluation on project outcomes............................................................................22
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................22
REFERENCE.................................................................................................................................23

INDEX OF TABLES
Table 1: Cost estimation..................................................................................................................2
Table 2: Time frame for project.......................................................................................................3
Table 3: Time scale for project........................................................................................................4
Table 4: Time schedule....................................................................................................................6

ILLUSTRATION INDEX
Illustration 1: Work Breakdown Structure.......................................................................................5
Illustration 2: Gantt Chart................................................................................................................6
Illustration 3: Network diagram as project plan..............................................................................7
Illustration 4: Current position of M&S........................................................................................11
Illustration 5: Digital techniques' impact on business operations of the enterprise.......................12
Illustration 6: Necessity of using digital techniques for business operations of M&S..................13
Illustration 7: The most responsible department for the project...................................................14
Illustration 8: Implementation of digital techniques for M&S......................................................15
Illustration 9: Service required to be improved.............................................................................16
Illustration 10: Forecasting on project...........................................................................................17
Illustration 11: Forecasting on further business activities using digital techniques.....................18

TITLE
“To understand the impact of digital technologies on business activities”: A case study on
Marks and Spencer.
INTRODUCTION
In recent time, digital technologies play crucial role in development of business entity
and managing its operations effectively. It affects quality services and efficiency of enterprise in
respect of further business activities. The present report is based on understanding project
management aspects for digital technology's significance on business operations of Marks and
Spencer. It is retail sector organisation of UK provide groceries and food items to a million
people of the world. In this regard, aims, objectives, value and several aspects can be described
for the project management. Moreover, time frames and comprehensive project management
plan will be introduced through this assignment. Similarly, research specification tools for data
collection as managers' views on digital technologies' impact on business activities can be
identified. However, reflection on self learning through this project is to describe for managing
all business activities. Therefore, students are able to understand several project management
tools for understanding digital technologies' impact on business activities of Marks and Spencer
with the help of this report.
TASK 1
P1) Aims and objectives of project
This project is based on understanding significance of digital technologies in business
activities of Marks and Spencer. It is benefited for all departments of the organisation including
finance, marketing, HR, production and operation, risk management and research department etc.
However, business operations are done effectively remain useful for increasing demand for
goods and services as well its competitiveness (Adhikari and et.al., 2014). Similarly, project is
suitable for decision making and management of its operations adequately. In this regard, aims
and objectives of the project can be understood as:
Aim of the project:
To understand digital technologies' usefulness for business activities of Marks and
Spencer.
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Objective of the study
The project is based on below mentioned objectives for digital technologies' significance
on business operations as:
 To understand concept of digital technologies in context to business operations.
 To identify usefulness of these technologies in effectiveness of Marks and Spencer as
well improving its efficiencies.
 To determine all tools of project management for digital techniques in managing entire
business operations.
 To recommend suggestions for managing project and understanding significance of
digital technologies on business activities for Marks and Spencer.
P2) Project management plan
For managing project, it is essential to consider all tools and implementing strategies
effectively. In this regard, tools are recognised as cost, time, communication, risks and so on for
project and implementing its strategies (Ahlemann and et.al., 2013). However, following
planning tools are considered for project on digital technologies' impact on business operations
of Marks and Spencer as:
 Cost: Under this estimation, cost incurred on operations and project's activities are
estimated as; expenses on conducting research, labour cost, additional overhead cost etc.
Including this, different ideas are generated for allocating fund and managing resources
and fund as well (Baldi, 2014). However, for each activity of the project, costs are
determined as:
Table 1: Cost estimation
Plan Cost
Analysing actual position 300
Goal setting and preparing strategies 150
Team building and work segmentation 200
2

Implementing strategies 700
Performance evaluation 300
 Time: For each activity of project on identifying influence of digital technologies on
business activities of Marks and Spencer (El-Hajjar and Hanzo, 2013). In this regard,
time schedule for project's activities can be identified as:
Table 2: Time frame for project
Plan Time
Recognising actual position of M&S 9/10/17- 14/10/17
Targeting and preparing strategies 15/10/17- 28/10/17
Dividing work among team members
according to their abilities
29/10/17- 14/11/17
Implementing action plan 15/11/17- 31/12/17
Evaluating project's outcomes 1/1/18- 22/1/18
 Risks: Different risks may occur in project are estimated such as; inadequate fund and
resources, lack of coordination among workers, improper planning and scheduling for
project and uncertain changes during business operations. Therefore, all these risks are
forecast on which back plan can made for managing project effectively (Iwamoto, 2013).
However, risks can reduce effectively for project and understanding digital technologies'
impact on business operations of M&S.
 Resources: Different resources are analysed for project including finance, people, time
and others for understanding impact of digital techniques on business activities of M&S.
In this regard, all tools are determined and planned to manage project and activities of the
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organisation (Kerzner, 2013). Therefore, considering these resources remain helpful for
project and implementation of business activities efficiently.
 Communication: It is process of sharing data and information from one place to another
on which effective decisions are made regarding business operations for M&S. However,
team leader and manager discuss strategies and process of project with its team members
for task accomplishments regarding digital technologies' impact on business operations of
the enterprise (Mir and Pinnington, 2014). It is key component for project and
accomplishing all tasks for effective coordination among group workers and able to
create positive environment of the entity.
P3) Time frames and stages for project completion
For accomplishing tasks of project, time is set for different activities and completing all
tasks effectively (Popaitoon and Siengthai, 2014). However, time frame on each activity of
project on understanding significance of digital technologies on business activities of M&S as:
Table 3: Time scale for project
Plan Time scale
Identifying actual performance of M&S 1-2 weeks
Setting targets and preparing strategies 2-3 weeks
Dividing work among team members 2 weeks
Implementing strategies 3-4 weeks
Performance evaluation 2 weeks
Taking feedback from all group workers 1 week
Reporting on project 2 week
Work Breakdown Structure:
4

This structural framework is to present all activities and information regarding project to
be included for digital techniques' significance on business operations of M&S. In this regard, all
tools of project and structures are determined affect organisation's effectiveness and its efficiency
(Schwalbe, 2015). However, this structure is beneficial for understanding all tasks and each
activity of the project effectively. However, work breakdown structure for this project can be
presented as:
Illustration 1: Work Breakdown Structure
Gantt Chart:
The project controlling tool useful for managing all activities as well presenting all
activities from start to end. However, project activities in certain decided time are identified to
analyse importance of digital technologies on business activities of M&S (Smith and et.al.,
2015). In this regard, Gantt chart for the project is to identify as:
5

6
Illustration 2: Gantt Chart

Network diagram:
This time frame structural framework is appropriate to identify connection of all activities
with each other. Similarly, step by step all action plans are recognised for project and
accomplishing its tasks in a specific time period (Tekalp, 2015). Therefore, network diagram for
the project and recognising time scale on each activity can be expressed as:
Time Schedule:
Table 4: Time schedule
Task
Mode Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Manually
Scheduled
Recognising actual
position of M&S 6 days Oct 9 '17 Oct 14 '17
Manually
Scheduled
Targeting and preparing
strategies 12 days Oct 16 '17 Oct 31 '17 1
Manually
Scheduled
Dividing work among
team members according
to their abilities
23 days Nov 1 '17 Dec 1 '17 2
Manually
Scheduled Implementing action plan 34 days Nov 1 '17 Dec 18 '17 1,2
7
Illustration 3: Network diagram as project plan

Manually
Scheduled
Evaluating project's
outcomes 1 day Dec 4 '17 Dec 4 '17 2,3
M1) Comprehensive project management plan
Project management plan includes all tools to be considered to understand significance of
digital technologies on business activities of M&S. In accordance to this, all aspects like; cost,
time, work segmentation among team members, management plan and so on (Digital techniques
influence in business activities, 2016). However, variety of ideas are generated for project and
increasing efficiency of the entity. In this regard, project management plan and tools are
identified for digital technologies on business operations. Therefore, it can be forecast that
considering all tools and mentioned above as well following on strategies will be able to project
and increasing effectiveness of M&S through getting updated with new technologies at
maximum level.
TASK 2
P4) Research methods
Different research methods are used for collecting data and analysing actual performance
of the entity. It is done through primary and secondary data collection methods as able to identify
market position and respondents' views on services provided by the entity. In primary data
collection method, information are gathered through conducting survey, face to face interview
and door to door asking questions (Adhikari and et.al., 2014). Therefore, market position of
entity in the current time is analysed. While, on the other side, for secondary data collection,
information are collected using ready and prepared materials such as; articles mentioned in
newspaper and magazines, using social networking sites and so on.
However, for data collection to analyse managers' views on using digital technologies'
impact on business operations of M&S, researcher is to conduct survey. For this process, he is to
select 10 managers randomly for asking questions and collecting information related to their
views on the project (Ahlemann and et.al., 2013).
Questionnaire:
8

It is of list of questions regarding digital technologies' impact on business operations of
M&S. Therefore, for collecting data, research selects 10 managers of the enterprise randomly to
gather their views on the project. However, actual position of entity can be analysed as well
different ideas generated for further implementations and increasing digital techniques' use on
business activities (Baldi, 2014). Therefore, questionnaire for data collection is to be presented
as:
Name:
Department belonged to:
Q.1 What is current position of business operations of M&S?
 Effective
 Developing
 Neutral
 Decreasing
Q.2 In your opinion, is using digital techniques impact on business operations of the entity?
 Yes
 No
Q.3 Why is it required to implement digital techniques for business activities of M&S?
 Improving quality of services
 Increasing time speed in business operations
 Cost effectiveness
 Making business activities more easy and convenient
Q.4 Regarding you, which of the following department is responsible for the project plan at
most?
 Marketing
 HR
9

 Finance
 Production and operation department
Q.5 Is implementing digital technologies impact on customer satisfaction with services
provided by M&S?
 Yes
 No
Q.6 In your opinion which of the following service is required to be improved for
competitiveness of M&S?
 Quality in goods and services
 Customer dealing services
 Increasing online marketing
 Production and distribution of goods and services
Q.7 As per you, is this project can success for improving business operations of m&S?
 Yes
 No
Q.8 Forecast on further business activities of the organisation in 2-3 years?
 Improving
 Neutral
 Decreasing
Recommend suggestions on project and business activities of M&S through implementing
digital techniques............
Thematic analysis:
Managers' responds on digital technologies' impact on business activities of M&S can be
recognised thematically as mentioned below:
10

Theme 1: Current position of M&S
Effective 3
Developing 5
Neutral 1
Decreasing 1
Total number of respondents 10
Interpretation: At first, researcher asks about managers' views on current position of
M&S. However, 3 out of 10 express effective and 5 says that is satisfied and in accordance to
organisation's effectiveness. Therefore, positive views are gained on which further decisions can
made to improve digital techniques' in business operations effectively.
Theme 2: Digital techniques' impact on business operations of the enterprise
11
Effective Developing Neutral Decreasing
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Column C
Illustration 4: Current position of M&S

Yes 8
No 2
Total number of respondents 10
Interpretation: In this bie graph, blue colour represents number of agreed respondents
while orange for disagreed. In this regard, 8 out of 10 are agreed that using digital technologies
in business activities affect effectiveness of enterprise at most. It can be maintained and
sustained for the further implementations.
Theme 3: Necessity of using digital techniques for business operations of M&S
Improving quality of services 3
Increasing time speed in business
operations 1
12
8
2
Yes
No
Illustration 5: Digital techniques' impact on business operations of the enterprise

Cost effectiveness 2
Making business activities more
easy and convenient 4
Total number of respondents 10
Interpretation: It is interpreted that digital techniques are useful for making business
activities more easy affect all departments' work and effectiveness of M&S. Therefore, entire
business activities can manage efficiently also able to improve its services in the future time
effectively.
Theme 4: The most responsible department for the project
Marketing 5
HR 2
Finance 1
Production and operation 3
13
Improving quality of services
Increasing time speed in business operations
Cost effectiveness
Making business activities more easy and convenient
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Column C
Illustration 6: Necessity of using digital techniques for business operations of M&S

Total number of respondents 10
Interpretation: Here, number of respondents who express their views on responsible
department for project is presented. However, blue colour is for marketing, orange for HR,
yellow for finance and green for production and operation department of M&S. It is interpreted
that 50% managers agreed that marketing department is the most responsible for project on
implementing digital technologies for organisation's effectiveness.
Theme 5: Implementation of digital techniques for M&S
Yes 9
No 1
Total number of respondents 10
14
5
2
1
3
Marketing
HR
Finance
Production and operation
Illustration 7: The most responsible department for the project

Interpretation: In this way, respondents' views on implementation of digital
techniques impact on M&S effectiveness by which actual market position of entity is recognised.
However, 8 out of 10 are agreed with the statement which is to be maintained for the further
years.
Theme 6: Service required to be improved
Quality in goods and services 5
Customer dealing services 1
Increasing online marketing 2
Production and distribution of
goods and services 2
15
Yes No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Column C
Illustration 8: Implementation of digital techniques for M&S

Total number of respondents 10
Interpretation: Managers' views on services required for improving digital technologies
for business activities are determined. In this regard, 50% respondents express their views
quality of goods and services are required to be improved at most. It is possible through using
digital techniques for business operations on which project is to be accomplished.
Theme 7: Forecasting on project
Yes 8
No 2
Total number of respondents 10
16
Quality in goods and services
Customer dealing services
Increasing online marketing
Production and distribution of goods and services
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Column C
Illustration 9: Service required to be improved

Interpretation: In the presented bie graph, blue colour represents for positive forecasting
while orange for negative. However, 8 respondents out of the total are positive with project
success and implementing digital techniques for business operations' management and
organisation's effectiveness.
Theme 8: Forecasting on further business activities using digital techniques
Improving 7
Neutral 2
Decreasing 1
Total number of respondents 10
17
8
2
Yes
No
Illustration 10: Forecasting on project

Interpretation: Forecasting on business activities of M&S using digital techniques is
determined. In this regard, 7 out of 10 express their opinions that by implementing these
techniques' business activities will be improved at maximum level.
M2) Project logbook
Updated weekly report Comments
Project details Project is on the basis of understanding
significance of digital techniques on business
activities of M&S. Including this, all tools for
project are determined like; cost, time, work
segmentation among workers etc.
Tasks requirements All set tasks have been accomplished
effectively affect effectiveness of organisation
and its efficiency in the future time.
Risks occurred in project Different risks occurred for project as
financial, lack of coordination among team
18
Improving
Neutral
Decreasing
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Column C
Illustration 11: Forecasting on further business activities using digital techniques

workers which affect environment of
organisation and implementation of digital
implementation
Method to overcome the barriers All occurred issues get resolved through
effective planning and using tools for
encouraging workers. However, financial issue
get reduced through getting source of fund was
able for project effectively.
Reflection on individual performance Through this project, I improved skills as
communication, problem solving, listening.
Similarly, I learned to handle the situations for
creating positive environment of organisation
and implementing digital techniques for
business activities of the organisation.
D1) Reflection on project management plan
On analysing project management plan, all tools are considered for research and
implementing project activities. It is recognised that following on all strategies and planning
tools, it would be succeed effectively. However, systematic management of cost, time, resources
and project can be implemented affect digital technologies for business activities of M&S. On
critical evaluation, it is evaluated that it is difficult to get coordination of each worker for project
and following on all strategies as prepared (El-Hajjar and Hanzo, 2013). However, due to
changes in market prices and external environmental factors, this project may fail. Therefore, it
is essential to create systematic plans and preparing appropriate strategies for project and its
success.
TASK 3
P5) Research tools and techniques
For conducting research and data collection, following approaches are used can be
introduced as:
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 Research approach: Different approaches are used such as; inductive, deductive,
abductive etc. For project on understanding influence of digital technologies on business
activities of M&S. Therefore, researcher is to use inductive research approach includes
theories, issues and all tools used in research process (Iwamoto, 2013). However, variety
of ideas and approaches can be identified for project's completion.
 Research philosophy: For the research and data collection, researcher is to use
interpretevism approach determines different tools for project. However, collected data is
to be interpreted thematically by which different ideas are created for project planning
and decision making (Kerzner, 2013). Therefore, with the help of this research
philosophy approach, data collection process can be succeed as well actual market
position can determine.
 Research design: In this project, investor is going to use discriptive approach includes
all positive and negative factors. In this regard, issues occurred in project and further its
solutions to overcome them are determined (Mir and Pinnington, 2014). However, all
activities, positive and negative aspects of project can be recognised effectively affect
further implementation.
 Data collection: Data collection methods as primary and secondary methods. In this
regard, researcher is to conduct survey and analysing actual position of organisation for
implementing digital technologies on business activities of M&S. Therefore, actual
position of entity and its business operations using digital techniques (Popaitoon and
Siengthai, 2014).
 Data analysis: In this process, collected data are recognised by which actual market
position and usefulness of digital techniques in business operations. Thus, actual position
of M&S and business operations in respect of different operations' activities are
identified.
P6) Recommendations on research and data analysis
On collecting data, it is recognised that managers are agreed with the statement that
applying digital techniques are beneficial for managing business operations of M&S. Including
this, respondents' respond positively on project and its implementation (Schwalbe, 2015).
Moreover, they also forecast that digital techniques play crucial role in managing entire business
20

activities and effectiveness of the organisation. Similarly, they recommend following suggestions
for data collection and project process as:
 It is required to consider ethical considerations for data collection through getting
information from other competitive entity's sites.
 Market research should be conducted critically provide different ideas for further
implementation.
 All implementations of project activities should be done as prepared and made for project
in specific time with considering cost effectiveness tool.
 It is essential to create positive and effective environment of M&S by encouraging all
team members for project and accomplishing tasks efficiently.
P7) Reflection on own learning and performance
Through this project on understanding significance of digital techniques on business
activities of M&S, I improved my several skills such as; communication, problem solving, team
building, encouraging members for better work performance etc. In this regard, by discussing
strategies and project plan with all workers, I improved communication and listening skills.
Similarly, as a manager, I learned to build team and encouraging members towards
accomplishing tasks efficiently. Including this, I improved problem solving skills through
handling situations and working on positive environment of the workplace. Likewise, I learned
to use new digital technologies in context to business operations of M&S. It influences my
professionalism and personality development at maximum level also increases self motivation to
learn more. Therefore, I recognised several positive changes affect my professional and personal
behaviour.
M3) Performance review
As analysing my skills, I get several changes influences professionalism and personality
development. However, I developed learning styles and handling problems more efficiently
which impact on project and completing its tasks. Including this, according to review on my
performance and behaviour, I feel very positive and motivated towards next project and
contributing at maximum level.
21

M4) Evaluate the value of project management process
It is essential for project management to consider all tools and effectiveness of M&S.
However, all stages and project planning tools are implemented affect using digital techniques
for business operations of the enterprise. In this regard, project is completed systematically step
by step affect further business operations and improving quality services more efficiently
(Tekalp, 2015). Therefore, all project management processes are evaluated as succeed remains
linked with enhancing efficiencies of the enterprise and managing entire business operations
efficiently.
D2) Critical evaluation on project outcomes
It is recognised that all activities of the project have been accomplished in determined
time as well cost effectiveness. However, each team member contributed in team building and
supporting to group efficiently. Including this, by analysing each individual's performance,
several positive changes are determined also get more encouraged for further project and
contribution for working in group (Smith and et.al., 2015). Except this, on critical evaluation, it
is determined that project and adopting technologies for business operations are quite expensive
as well all processes are not accomplished in a specific time period. Thus, it is essential to
consider all project tools' effectively for accomplishing tasks.
CONCLUSION
Through this report, it is concluded that digital technologies are crucial for business
operations of Marks and Spencer. In this regard, several project plans and considering tools are
described for analysing actual position of entity and implementing project plans. However,
research methods and specification tools have been identified for data collection. Including this,
managers' views on digital technologies' usefulness on business activities of the organisation
through this assignment. Therefore, project management tools and different aspects are
recognised for techniques' implementation and improving quality services of the organisation
effectively.
22

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Schwalbe, K., 2015. Information technology project management. Cengage Learning.
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Online
Digital techniques influence in business activities. 2016. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.scribd.com/document/338530321/1-Digital-Techniques-pdf>. [Accessed
on 11th October 2017].
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