The Impact of Digital Technology on Continental Consulting's Business

This report examines the impact of digital technology on Continental Consulting Limited, a research and business consultancy firm. The project focuses on the implementation of new digital technology to enhance competitiveness. The report details the project's aims, objectives, and time frame, including a project management plan covering scope, cost, quality, time, risk, resources, and communication. It evaluates a Gantt chart and work breakdown structure. The research employs both quantitative and qualitative methods, including questionnaires, to assess the impact of digital technology on business operations, sales, and profitability. The report offers suggestions for the company based on the research findings and reflects on the experience of conducting the research, concluding with recommendations for leveraging digital technology to foster growth and innovation within the firm.

MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECTS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Determining main aim and objectives of given project .................................................1
P2 Project Management Plan for Continental Consulting Limited........................................3
P3 Evaluation of Gantt chart and work breakdown structure for given project .................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Conducting research by applying quantitative and qualitative techniques for given project
................................................................................................................................................7
P5 Evaluation and interpretation of data ............................................................................10
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................16
P6 Suggestions for the company .........................................................................................16
TASK 4 .........................................................................................................................................17
P7) Reflection about experience of conducting research ...................................................17
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................19
APPENDIX ...................................................................................................................................21

INTRODUCTION
In today's era, digital technology has become inevitable part and parcel of every aspect of
a firm. It is critically adopted as a primary source for product differentiation, growth and
profitability of a business. With rapid speed of technological development around the globe in
form of smartphones, tablets, mobile phones etc., there has profound effect on customers
behaviour and small scale businesses to a large extent (Ackermann, 2012). The project is based
on case study of Continental Consulting Limited which is a research and business consultancy
firm dealing mainly in process re-engineering. With span of time IT technology used by firm, it
has become obsolete and firm has decided to implement new technology in order to remain
competitive. The report will discuss aims, objectives and time frame related to implementation of
digital technology. A research will also be conducted for providing recommendation about
probable impact of digital technology on firms operations.
TASK 1
P1 Determining main aim and objectives of given project
The immense popularity and adoption of digitalization has enabled business to stay
connected with its customers through the medium of mobile phones. In today's era of intense
competition, business regardless its nature and size is subjected to keep pace with technological
developments and innovations (Autio and et. al., 2014). For instance, mobile digital technology
that is to be used by Continental Consulting Limited is greatly assists firm to capture its
customers attention by creating and providing targeted ads, new on the go services and other
promotional activities to engage their customers and induce them to make a purchase. Today,
with mobile technology, relationship between entrepreneur and consumers are extended beyond
physical store into a digital sphere.
Background of Project: The project is conducted to ascertain the probable effect of
digital technology and how its assists small business growth and innovation. With emergence of
several changes in IT industry, equipments that are being used by Continental Consulting
Limited has become obsolete and firm feels that it is time to update the kind of IT technology
that firm had been using so far. It is of utmost importance for company to adopt these new
innovative techniques so as to enhance firm's capabilities and core competencies to its maximum

potential (Bradley, Wiklund and Shepherd, 011). In particular, IT managers of company is
thinking of adopting mobile technology in form of Application Program Interface that will
enable various software applications to interact with its consumers. Through digitalization firm is
also to get benefit by reducing it cost and time on its various business activities. Further, it will
also assist firm to conduct extensive research for collecting opinions of its consumers and
thereby, modify its products and services as per their need and demands (Chava and et. al.,
2013). However, adopting an entire new digital technology is not easy for a firm and is subject to
face huge resistance from the workforce. Thus, to successfully implement and enforce
digitalization in its various business operations, it is requisite for the managers of Continental
Consulting Limited to motivate its staff members to adopt and absorb the new changed
technology my communication them need and associated benefits for organisation and to them as
well.
Topic- : “The effect of digital technology on the growth and innovation aspects of small
business ”.
Aim: “ To ascertain effect impact of mobile techniques in supporting growth and
innovation of small business ”
Objectives:
 To ascertain presumptive effect of mobile techniques on company and its future growth
prospects.
 To examine key business operations that are likely to get benefited with adoption of
mobile technology. To determine the probable negative and positive effect of mobile technology on sales
volume and profitability of Continental Consulting Limited.
Research Question
 What are the probable impact of mobile technology on firm and its growth in near future?
 What are the major business operations that is to get aided by mobile technology?
 What could be positive and negative impact of mobile technology on Continental
Consulting Limited sales and profit levels?

P2 Project Management Plan for Continental Consulting Limited
A project management plan could be described as a written document that briefly
explains various attributes related to execution, monitoring, controlling and closure of particular
project that is to be undertaken (Dudinand et. al., 2013). It is a detailed document that includes
subsidiary management plans, baselines and other essential planning related documents. As
Continental Consulting Limited is about to introduce new mobile technology to expand its
business activities online, it is requisite for managers to prepare a thorough project management
plan. It is beneficial for firm as it would assist to determine what company seeks to achieve from
this particular, how it will be attained, how many people are required to complete it and how
project will be reported, measured and communicated. Thus, it will keep managers of
Continental Consulting Limited focused towards maintaining project quality as per pre-
determined standards to carry out operations according to policies, procedures and directions that
are laid down for its execution. Various factors that are related to implementation of digital
technology in the firm and needs to determined by managers are mentioned below: Scope: The use of APIs technology in mobile technology is to provide vast scope to
Continental Consulting Limited to attain effectiveness in its various business related
operations from marketing to development and strategic planning to accounting. Statists
estimated that there are 222.9 million smartphone users are using mobile technology to
operate social media and other online apps to purchase goods and services. Also, in
recent time, large social apps like Facebook, Snapchat etc. have recently launched an API
that will help firm to advertise their products/services and to diversify their campaigns
through mobile technology (George and Bock, 2011).
 Cost : Cost of project plan estimates the total expenditure to be incurred in adopting
new mobile technology by thoroughly determining various aspects relate to project. In
its initial phase application of digital technology, it is subject to huge capital investment
as it includes various expenditures related to organizing proper training program for
employees, cost of installation of new equipment’s in various departments and many
other related costs.
Total forecasted budget

Particular Amount in pounds £
Promotional expense 15000
Implementing technology cost 3000
Advertisement expense 3200
Training charges 1400
Catalogues 5500
Total cost 28100
From above given table it has been concluded that Continental Consulting Limited require
approx. 28100 pounds to carry out implementation of digital technology at workplace. Quality: Mere completing a project is not enough for company to get the advantage from
new technology, quality aspect is to be kept in mind as well (Lee and et. al., 2012).
Therefore, to successfully complete a given project with high quality standards, it is
essential for Continental Consulting Limited to hire a proficient team of field experts that
could provide relevant directions, suggestions and guidelines for efficiently apply and
make use of innovate and latest technology so that company can attain an edge over its
business competitors. Time: This aspect is concerned about the average estimated time that is required to
implement new technology in various departments of firm. In addition to this, approx
payback period of a project is also ascertained. Continental Consulting Limited in this
regard make use of critical path method to compute probable time for new technology
installation. The project for implementing mobile technology in business operations will
subject to take approx 10 weeks to be completed. Risk: Risk evaluation forms key aspect to be determined in advance by a firm during its
pre implementation phase of project (Lundvall and et. al., 2011.) It assists Continental
Consulting Limited to be proactive in identifying and analysing various likeable issues
and problems that firm might encounter during implementing digital technology in its

business. For instance, resistance from employee, training needs, investment of huge
capital and other related resources etc. Resources: This facet involves detailed explanation of the essential resources that are
required for effective and proper application on new digital technology by Continental
Consulting Limited. It follows estimation about human, finance, technological and other
associated resources (Crane and Matten, 2016).
 Communication: Maintaining a transparent, two way communication is of vital
importance for Continental Consulting Limited. It is because it assists company to share
various information, new objectives, benefits and other essential knowledge related to
new project with its employees. For managers of Continental Consulting Limited, it is
thus of high significance to be proficient in interpersonal and communication skills so as
to gain mutual cooperation and trust of its employees. Thus before sharing any
information managers of Continental Consulting Limited analyse various medium of
communication and chose the most appropriate one in order to provide information to its
staff. For instance, for this particular project firm has selected questionnaire for
identifying opinions and feedback of its workforce as well as public (Eweje, Turner and
Müller, 2012).
P3 Evaluation of Gantt chart and work breakdown structure for given project
Work-Break Down Structure: WBDS is a sequential and additive disintegration of a
project that help into various stages, work packages and deliverables that a managers uses to
effectively handle its project team and their assigned tasks (Fisher, 2011). It is a pictorial
description of scope of an assignment into smaller chunks that makes it easily understandable for
project team as each step of WBDS involves details and explanations. Project management
department of Continental Consulting Limited prepares WBDS for their new plan by analysing
key operational deliverables and further dividing them in to small units those are divided till
delegated to particular employee

Illustration 1: Illustration 1: Breakdown Structure for Project Management, 2018
(Source: Break Breakdown Structure for Project Management, 2018)
Gantt Chart: It is a horizontal bar chart depicts various lengths that displays timeline of a project
that includes duration, job sequences, starting and closing dates etc. It forms an essential tool
that is designed by project team of Continental Consulting Limited in order identify sequences of
different work tasks in a project that are required to be completed within specific time and
budget Keller, Parameswaran and Jacob, 2011).

TASK 2
P4 Conducting research by applying quantitative and qualitative techniques for given project
Qualitative research : This research involves scientific method of observation for
collecting relevant non numerical data related to a particular topic. It involves in depth analysis
of a situation, event or phenomenon that researcher gains from exploring totality of the situation.
It involves various sources through which data could be collected such as interview, observation,
focus groups etc. that could help in providing appropriate knowledge and information related to a
given topic. Although this method of research is expensive and time consuming however
information and data collection methods of this is most authentic and relevant. Continental
Consulting Limited undertake this research to know the probable impact of digitization and its
relevance in conducting various business related operations and work (Introducing Research
Methods, 2017).
Quantitative Research: This research contains data and information in numerical form
such as percentages, statistics etc. This type of research reveals information that is specific to a
particular case. It includes computation, mathematical tools etc.
Data Collection : For conducting research Continental Consulting Limited have opted for
primary sources of data which has been collected through using questionnaire. The respondents
that are been involved by the research team are 30. Mentioned below is the questionnaire that
company circulated to gather relevant information:

QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Gender:
Occupation:
Contact no.:
Email id:
Q1) Is it essential for company to implement mobile technology in its businesses operation in
reference to today's market scenario?
 Yes
 No
Q2) How mobile technology is expected to impact business of Continental Consulting Limited?
 Positive
 Negative
Q3) What are the probable impact that mobile technology expected to have on business of
Continental Consulting Limited?
 Enhancement in Sales Volume
 Better customer relationship
Q4) What can be essential sources that company is subject to have while introducing mobile
techniques and related technology in its business operations?
 Cost efficiency
 Enhanced security
 Stay competitive
 Increased productivity
Q5) What are the major challenges a company face during implementation of mobile
technology at workplace?
 Data management
 Require new skills
 Security issues
Q6) What are the major resources required by company to implement mobile technology at

workplace?
 Funds
 Expertise knowledge
 Technical resources
Q7) What are the areas in which mobile technology is supposed to provide maximum benefit to
Continental Consulting Limited?
 HR Department
 Accounts
 Marketing
 Operational
Q8) What is the key purpose for mobile technology i.e. expected to reap benefit for Continental
Consulting Limited?
 For recruitment and selection process
 For improving customer relations
 For improving employer and employee relations
 To improve departmental communication
Q9) How mobile technology is expected to impact business of Continental Consulting Limited?
 Positive
 Negative
Q10) Any recommendation for Continental Consulting Limited related to implementation of
digital technology?