Managing a Successful Business Project: Digital Technology Impact

This project investigates the significant impact of digital technology on Asda, a British supermarket retailer. The project is divided into three parts: a project plan, a project log book, and a performance review. The project plan outlines the project's definition, objectives, implementation plan, and risk assessment. The project aims to assess the benefits of digital media in business, its effects on Asda's marketing and operations, and its role in customer satisfaction, sales, and profitability. The implementation plan includes a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart for scheduling. A mixed-methods approach is used, combining quantitative data from customer surveys and qualitative data from interviews with marketing managers. The project log book details the weekly progress, identified risks, and mitigation strategies. The performance review analyzes the collected research data through suitable techniques and tools, offering conclusions and recommendations based on the research findings and reflecting on the worth of carrying out the research to achieve the stated objectives and own performance and learning. The research explores the use of digital marketing activities, the method of digital technology in operation, and their impact on sales, profitability, and customer satisfaction. The project is designed to evaluate the impact that the digital technology has created on the customers and the business.

MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PROJECT
THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY ON BUSINESS
ACTIVITY
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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Part 1: Project Plan (P1, P2. P3 & M1)......................................................................................4
1. Project Definition...................................................................................................................4
Problem statement......................................................................................................................4
Project Objectives......................................................................................................................4
Time and Cost of the a project...................................................................................................5
Scope of the Project...................................................................................................................5
Project Assumptions...................................................................................................................6
2. Implementation Plan..............................................................................................................7
Work breakdown structure.........................................................................................................7
Schedule (Gantt chart)...............................................................................................................7
3. Project process.......................................................................................................................8
Communication Plan..................................................................................................................8
Risk Plan....................................................................................................................................9
Part 2 Project Log Book (P4 & M2)........................................................................................11
P4. Carrying out small-scale research through the application of quantitative and qualitative
research methods......................................................................................................................11
M2: Project Log Book..............................................................................................................11
Part 3 Performance Review......................................................................................................15
P5. Analysing the research and data through suitable techniques and tools............................15
P6. Offering Conclusion and Recommendation.......................................................................22
P7 Reflection on the worth of carrying out the research to achieve the stated objectives and
own performance and learning.................................................................................................23
Conclusion................................................................................................................................24
References................................................................................................................................25
Appendix 1...............................................................................................................................26
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Introduction
The rise of the digital technology has created a far-reaching impact on the organisation.
Internet and social media are engaged, and the cloud-based solutions are changing the
scenario even for the small businesses. Technology has impacted on the operation of the
company by offering better solutions. The present project would evaluate the role of the
digital media in the marketing activities of the organisation. Asda, the British supermarket is
investing in digital field to increase their access to customers and satisfy them better.
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Part 1: Project Plan (P1, P2. P3 & M1)
1. Project Definition
Problem statement
Schwalbe (2015) commented that project is the planned set of tasks that need to be carried
out for a specific period within the defined cost and the limitations. The present project deals
with the evaluation of the impact of digital technology on the business operation and the
marketing activities Asda. Asda is the British supermarket retailer which was founded in
1949. The organisation employs 165,000 people who are responsible for selling the grocery
and the general merchandise product (Asda.com, 2018).
Digital technology has dramatically impacted the retail sector, and Asda has responded with
specific changes. The digital advertisement in the stores, development of mobile apps and
investment in the online and has helped the brand to increase their presence and attract the
customers. The recent “To You’ Service helps in offering value-added retail service for
improving the customer experience (Tcs.com, 2018). The implementation of order
management, parcel tracking and usage of Kiskos helped to develop the business operation.
The present project would evaluate the impact of the application of these new digital
technologies on the sales and the profitability of the business (The Drum, 2018).
Project Strategy
The current research requires the opinion of the customers as well as that of the employees of
Asda. The project would include the collection of both the quantitative and the qualitative
data. In this way, the reliability and the validity of the data can also be ensured. The survey
would be used to acquire quantitative data from the customers and interview would be used
to obtain qualitative data from the managers of Asda.
Project Objectives
The present research aims to evaluate the impact of the digital technology on the marketing,
operation and the overall satisfaction of the customers of Asda.
Objectives
The objectives of the research are:
 To evaluate the benefits of digital media in business
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 To assess the effect of digital media on the marketing and the operation of Asda
 To critically analyse the role of digital media in the customer satisfaction in Asda
 To determine the impact of the digital technology on the sales and the profitability of
the business
Time and Cost of the project
Activities The time required
(an hour)
Amount (£)
Purchasing
objectives like pen,
notebooks and
microphones
1 200
Assessing some
journals for in-depth
information
3 300
Primary data
collection
20 8
Data analysis 5 6
Total 29 514
Table 1: Cost and time
(Source: Learner)
Scope of the Project
The scope of the research would include evaluation of the impact of digital technology on the
marketing and the operation of the business in Asda. It would also include the assessment of
the effects of the sales, profitability and the satisfaction of employees.
Included scope:
1. Understanding the use of digital marketing activities in Asda
2. The method of digital technology in operation of the business in Asda
3. Completing the entire project in £600
Excluded Scope
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1. Issues related to the implementation of the digital technology in Asda
Success criteria
The success of the project can be understood by reviewing the knowledge that has been
gained from the research (Todorović et al. 2015). The project would be deemed to be
successful if the study can evaluate the impact that the digital technology has created on the
customers. This can include increased awareness and increased sales that impact the
profitability of the business.
Project Assumptions
 The customers have detailed knowledge about the digital technology in the
organisation
 The respondents would provide honest opinion against the question asked to them
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2. Implementation Plan
Work breakdown structure
Figure 1: Work Break down structure
(Source: Learner)
Schedule (Gantt chart)
Project activities 1st to
2nd
wee
k
3rd to
4th
week
5th to
6th
week
7th to
8th
week
9th to
10th
week
11th to
12th
week
13th
and
14th
week
Assessment of the research
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Issue
Framing the research aims and
objectives
Developing knowledge about
the research topic by exploring
literature
Selection of the Resear4ch
Methods
Selection of sample population
Obtaining permission from the
managers of Asda
Framing up the questionnaire
for the survey and the
interview
Carrying out survey
Organizing interview
Analysis of the data
Developing conclusion and
recommendation
Development of the report
Report submission
Table 2: Gantt chart
(Source: Learner)
3. Project process
Communication Plan
Stakeholder
involved
Communication
Procedure
Communication
Frequency
Communication
objectives
Individuals
involved
The customers
of Asda
Face to face
survey to obtain
their perception
The
communication
would be carried
The objective would
understand the impact
digital marketing strategy
Researcher
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of the marketing
of the brand
out only for one
time.
has created on the Asda
by attracting and
satisfying the customers.
Team
members
involved in the
project
Verbal
communication
through
meetings and
phone calls and
non-verbal
communication
through emails
and messages
Regular contact
would be made.
The communication
would be made to carry
out the research
successfully.
The research
and
management
members of
Asda
The marketing
managers of
Asda
Communication
would be made
through face-to-
face interview
The
communication is
one time, and it
would be done
through interview
The use of digital
marketing in marketing
and business operation in
Asda would be
understood and its
impact on the sales and
profitability.
Researcher
Table 3: Communication Plan
(Source: Learner)
Risk Plan
The project would include certain risks which listed in the table below:
Risks Probability Impact
Failure to obtain consent
from the managers of Asda
Medium High
Improper response of the
customers
High High
Dispute among the team Medium High
Improper selection of
question in the question
Low High
Ineffective research method Medium High
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selection
Table 4: Risk Identification
(Source; Learner)
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Part 2 Project Log Book (P4 & M2)
P4. Carrying out small-scale research through the application of quantitative and
qualitative research methods
Saunders (2011) commented that research method refers to the procedure of obtaining data
for fulfilling the objectives of the research. There are different research methods available to
the researcher which can be adopted. In this case, the prime aim is to evaluate the impact of
digital technology on the marketing and the business operation of Asda and the ways it
impacted the customers and the sales and the profitability of the business. Hence, for this
researcher has opted for mixed methods in which the researcher would collect the
quantitative and the qualitative data. The quantitative data would be acquired through the
survey, and the qualitative would be obtained through interview. 41 customers of Asda has
been selected for the survey, and two assistant marketing managers are chosen for the
interview.
The research would follow a descriptive research method in which all the data collected in
the research process would be described to address the objectives that have been designed for
the research. The descriptive research methods would help to develop a practical
understanding of the study and the data ( Wahyuni, 2012).
M2: Project Log Book
Week Date Updated on
weekly research
Identified
risk
Impac
t
(Low.
mediu
m,
high)
Effect Risk
reduction
Plan for the
next week
1st to 2nd
week
1.4.2018
-
13.4.201
8
In the first week,
the research
problem is
identified related
to the given
organisation. The
identification of
The risk
that arises,
in this case,
is a
selection of
a practical
issue
High The
improper
selection of
the problem
can create a
far-reaching
impact on
I took the
guidance of
my tutor
who helped
to select the
appropriate
problem
The next
preparation
included a
selection of
the journals,
books and
web articles
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the research issue
helped to develop
the research topic.
After this, the
research aims and
objectives are
established.
related to
the
organisatio
n. Then the
framing up
appropriate
aims and
objectives
also affect
the same.
the entire
project.
that would
aid in
making the
project a
successful
one.
that would
guide the
researcher in
developing
an idea about
the topic.
3rd to 4th
week
14.4.201
8-
28.4.201
8
This week has
two critical tasks.
The first is to
create knowledge
about the research
topic, and the
second task is to
select the research
methods.
The
selection of
the
effective
research
methods
was quite
challenging
, and there
were
chances of
the wrong
choice.
High The effect
of improper
research
methods
can result in
the
incorrect
collection
of data that
can lead the
project to
failure.
The
exploration
of different
books
helped me.
The
guidance of
my tutor
also helped
me for the
same.
The next
week task
includes a
selection of
the sample
population.
5th to 6th
Week
29.4.201
8-
13.5.201
8
In this stage, the
researcher
developed some
knowledge about
the sampling
methods, and the
sampling process
is selected in this
case. In this
week, the
The
improper
selection of
the sample
can create
issues, and
this is a
significant
risk in this
case.
High The
improper
selection of
the sample
population
can lead to
ineffective
data
collection
that can
I took the
guidance of
my tutors to
select the
sampling
method and
the sample
population
for the
research.
The
preparation
was made for
carrying out
the survey.
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