Analyzing Digital Technology's Impact on Business Growth: Report

This report examines the impact of digital technology on the growth and innovation of small businesses, using Continental Consulting Limited as a case study. It begins with an introduction to digital technology and its importance for business development, followed by an analysis of the project's aims, objectives, and a management plan. The report delves into the scope, cost, time, quality, risk, communication, and resources required for successful implementation. It also includes a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to visualize project tasks and timelines. Furthermore, the report explores the use of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, analyzes the collected data, and offers recommendations for improving business activities through cloud technology. The conclusion summarizes the findings, and the report is supported by a list of references.

MANAGING A SUCCESFUL
BUSINESS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Project aims and objectives...............................................................................................1
P2 Produce a management plan..............................................................................................2
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart......................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................9
P4 Carry out small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research method9
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................11
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques................................11
P6 Recommendation.............................................................................................................17
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................18
P7 Reflection........................................................................................................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................19
Online.............................................................................................................................................19
What’s the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?. 2018. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.snapsurveys.com/blog/qualitative-vs-quantitative-research/>. ...............19

INTRODUCTION
Digital technology can be defined as resources, systems, electronic methods and various
other equipment which help in processing data. The digital tools undertakes social media,
software, applications and online games, cloud technology, productivity techniques and mobile
methods. Digital technology is necessary for company because it will help in developing creative
and innovative products in easy manner. Technology assist in reducing time and wastage that
lead towards reaching with high level of profitability in proper manner. While using digital
method, firm can also design and develop products which are required by customers. The report
is based on “Continental Consulting Limited” which is research and business consultancy
company. The firm is adopting cloud technology for attracting more customers towards company
products and services and upgrading their business activities as well (Broekx and et. al., 2011).
The main purpose of assignment is to describe impact of digital technology on supporting small
business growth and innovation. This will assist in identifying the aims and objectives of project
and also develop appropriate management plan which meet the objectives.
TASK 1
P1 Project aims and objectives
Digital technology is required for formulating company and also acquiring desired goals
and targets in better manner. It provide basic platform which help in adopting and using various
tools for enhancing its market share and also build goodwill of an organization. Along with this,
there are different business functions and activities that are managed in coordinated way so that
their tasks are achieved in an appropriate manner. Some of the business operations includes
human resources, marketing, finance and information technology in which digital technology try
to reach with gaining potential goals or targets effectively (Denzin and Lincoln, 2011). The
company can attract large number of people through social media method of domestic as well as
international level.
Cloud technology is the process which help in sharing and storing data that are very
essential for company in future time period. Thus, most of the organisation take help in
formulating new advanced digital technology that use for producing creative or innovative
products for their buyers. The main motive of digital technology is to carry out effectiveness and
make appropriate position among rivals for gaining competitive advantages.

Topic: “To analyse the impact of digital technology supporting small business growth and
innovation”. A case study of Continental Consulting Limited.
Background of project:
Digital technology is used for executing appropriate business operations and carry out
major changes to survive in the competitive environment. It is effective factor which help in
improving performance and quality of goods so there are number of people who attracted
towards company. This research assignment will support in determining impact of digital
technology on small business growth and innovation in business. Continental Consulting Limited
is the company which provide latest equipment, computer and IT services to the customers
(Fleming and Koppelman, 2016). The report is focus on cloud technology which assist in
delivering information and services where resources are retrieved from internet with the help of
web based techniques and applications.
Aim: “To determine impact of cloud technology on upgrading business activities. A case study
of Continental Consulting Limited”.
Objectives:
 To analyse the concept of cloud technology.
 To determine the importance of cloud technology in Continental Consulting Limited.
 To ascertain the challenges faced by firm while upgrading business activities.
Questions:
 What is the concept of cloud technology ?
 What is the importance of cloud technology in Continental Consulting Limited ?
 Elaborate the challenges faced by firm while upgrading business activities ?
P2 Produce a management plan
In every business organisation, it is necessary to set a management plan for specific
project that assist in achieving desired goals and targets. Planning will play an essential role in
developing appropriate project and managing it in more effective manner. Project plan should be
formulated by undertaking different factors that includes cost, scope, risk, quality, resources and
communication for successful implementation. It is useful for developing effective plan and
saving more time, value of the business (Geraldi and Lechter, 2012). There are various essential
aspects which help in producing project plan regarding digital technology that described as
follows:
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 Scope – The project scope is wide due to using effective digital technology in the
company. With the adoption of this technology, company will be able to upgrade all
business operations and activities. For making effective plan, investigator have to
recognise major impact and advantages of this technique which main purpose is to
promoting various products and services in better manner. The project support in
operating management, production, storage and distribution so that company can grow
and enhancing its business image among competitors (Hirshkowitz and et. al., 2015).
 Cost – It is another major aspects of project which develop plan for preparing appropriate
budget so that it can be executed in effective manner. Project manager is required to
determine the cost factor for making planning such as cost of project, budgeting and
optimum utilisation of resources which can be beneficial for completing work.
Continental Consulting Limited have invested adequate funds for using new advanced
technology so that they can easily promote their business. The cloud technology help in
storing and saving all company data which can be required in specific time period. With
the help of training and development program, they can adopt new strategies and
executing project plan for developing reputation in the firm. The budget prepared for this
project is provided below:
Cost budget on Cloud Technology
Particulars Amount
Initial investment £21000
Expenses:
Research and developmental activities £2800
Operational expenses £5100
Cost to IT experts £2500
Maintenance £3600
Licensing fee £7000
 Time – It can be defined as specific time and schedule of project should be required for
adopting cloud technology by company so they can easily important information related
to customer properly. It is essential for using new techniques and methods so that firm
can effectively finish the time in specific duration. The project manager prepare plan
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regarding time that are necessary for completing desired task. Continental Consulting
Limited can undertake critical path method for identify relevant time duration of the
project and assist in allocating required resources in the number of activities for getting
right result. It is analysed that this project will take around 3 months for the completion.
 Quality – In this, there are various quality factors and factors which help in completing
project (Hwang and Lim, 2012). It will assist in measuring quality of project which carry
out its appropriate result in positive way. With the help of effective cloud technology,
company can easily keeping records and save data related to their customers, employees
and other members in quality manner.
 Risk – There are different possibilities of occurring risk or uncertainties for formulating
and completing project which is required for recognise various factors to reaching with
desired goals and targets. It is that aspect which directly affect on business concern while
using advanced digital technologies. Continental Consulting Limited which provide latest
techniques, equipments, IT methods to their clients and promote their services at the
international level. Cloud technology is the one of the best technique to save and keep
company record related to customers, staff members, organisation and some other.
Company manager has perform their role in determining risk that can occur while making
project that includes conflict among employees, inaccuracy, lack of finance and lack of
efficiency.
 Communication – It is useful for smoothly running of business operation and help in
reaching with desired results. Project manager have to develop plan for using best
procedure of communication regarding new techniques or methods so that they can
perform work for attaining objective. After implementation of plan, it is required for
adopting best appropriate communication such as telecommunication, Email and other
tools so that they can keep records in better manner (Lakatos, 2014). Along with this, it is
useful factor which build strong relationship by interacting with them.
 Resources – It is required for making effective plan by determining different resources
which assist in completing project. Project manager manage and maintain resources by
assigning various activities so that they can achieved with target. This includes
workforce, equipments, capital, land, etc.
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P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Work Breakdown Structure: Work breakdown is the process of dividing projects into simple,
easy, and manageable forms which are complex in nature. Generally, the reason behind to do this
is that it simplifies the execution of projects. Some of them are:
 project organization will be accurate and simplified, if broken into definable forms.
 Mainly, it helps in estimating cost, time and risk (Meredith and Mantel Jr, 2011).
 Indicates the project scope finer so that investors can better understand the project.
Uses of Work Breakdown Structure:
 First and foremost use of WBS is, it provides visual representation of all parts of project.
 It of course breaks project into easy sections which is helpful in timely completion of
projects.
 It is used in delegating responsibilities among all the members of an organization which
strong the smooth functioning of the project.
The work breakdown structure makes it easy to display project details and status. It also
helps in determining the risk involved in a particular project. For example, if there is a project
whose risk is not defined, then it has a scope of risk. While using WBS, by breaking it into
smaller chunks, the project manager is able to identify the risk (Peters, Howard and Sharp,
2012).
Users of Work breakdown Structure: business project managers uses WBS to ensure successful
achievement of the project. Some teams can also it. These are:
Client facing groups: Account directors specially uses WBS to show progress to their
clients.
Creative Groups: WBS helps the creatives like designers, writers etc. to focus on their
creativity.
Gantt Chart: Gantt chart visualize the tasks scheduled over time. It is usually used by
project managers for planning projects of all sizes which helps to know that what work is
scheduled to be done on a specific day. Contents:
 Start date of the project can be seen on the Gantt chart.
 Shows project tasks.
 Shows who is working on which project.
 Finish date of the project.
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 Time to be taken by the project to finish.
Gantt charts may be simple or they can be in complexed versions like, Microsoft project
or Excel. But, there is some problem with Gantt charts as in, it sometimes does not determine
task dependencies, which project is lagging behind schedule and it affects other tasks, in return.
Gantt chart uses: Gantt chart comes in many forms, from old fashioned paper to desktop
work (Wahyuni, 2012). These are useful in almost every type of industries, for example
construction, consulting agencies, marketing teams, human resources, etc.
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Illustration 1: Work Breakdown Structure

Benefits of Gantt Chart: There are so many small details which project manager never
noticed, suddenly comes in front of them and of course, they are beneficial to them. Gantt charts
gives clear cut illustration of project status in every sense. Some of these are:
 It gives visual scope of the entire project which will prove very helpful for project6
managers.
 They get to know that how entire tasks are connected with each other.
 It is used in keeping the whole team on the same page.
 It brings out reality in the sense that who is engaged in real and is not.
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TASK 2
P4 Carry out small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research method
In this, research is very important for analysing accurate data and information which is
useful for an organisation. Company manager require to conduct investigation for acquiring
different techniques and methods and they need to implement marketing activities that increasing
goodwill of the firm in the market area. There are various types of data collection method which
are described as follows:
Qualitative research – It is that technique which analyse the behaviour of their
respondents towards using new tools and advanced methods by firm. Project manager determine
this method for gathering required data and information regarding behaviour, ideas, opinions,
perceptions, attitude and view point of the respondents (Westerman, Bonnet and McAfee, 2014).
Cloud technology help in protecting company's clients records and personal details in proper
manner. It includes observation, interview, group discussion and so on.
Quantitative research – In this technique, organisation can collect and gather data in the
form of numerical, statistical manner so that they can gain better result in an appropriate way.
Investigator determine different techniques and methods of quantitative research such as
numerical, mathematical and computation so they can get relevant information effectively.
Along with this, it is beneficial for gaining proper outcome when manager can compare data and
analyse appropriate result with this.
Primary method – In this, investigator undertake various techniques and methods for
collecting required data so that they can get reliable facts with the help of adopting primary
method. It includes various number of tools and methods which assist in receiving accurate
information through group discussion, interviews and questionnaire.
Secondary method – It is one of the appropriate method which help in collecting facts
and figures by considering secondary technique. This is useful for gathering relevant data in
given time period (Wilson, 2014). Investigator uses this method for save time, costs and efforts
for completing specific project. It includes different elements such as articles, blogs, magazines,
blogs, websites, internet, etc.
Population size – The population size has been taken for this report which is around 100
people from appropriate individual are selected for analysing the real outcomes in better manner.
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