Managing Successful Business Projects: Digital Technology's Impact

This report analyzes the impact of digital technology on the growth and innovation of small businesses, specifically focusing on Continental Consulting Limited, an IT company. The study investigates the significance of digital technology in the IT sector, the implications supported by project management plans, and how digital technology supports growth and innovation. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods, including questionnaires administered to managers. The report explores the company's current technology usage, the impact of Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and the transformation of business activities due to digital technologies. It includes a project management plan with cost, risk, project schedule, and quality considerations, along with a Gantt chart and work breakdown structure. Recommendations are provided to enhance the company's use of digital technology, supported by an analysis of research data and a reflection on the findings. Ethical considerations and potential sources of error are also addressed, providing a comprehensive overview of the digital technology's impact on the business.

MANAGING SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECTS

Table of Contents
BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................1
LO1 .................................................................................................................................................2
P1 Aim and objectives ...........................................................................................................2
P2 Project management plan .................................................................................................2
LO2..................................................................................................................................................7
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative methods ..........................7
LO3..................................................................................................................................................9
P5 Analysis of research data ..................................................................................................9
P6 Recommendations ..........................................................................................................20
LO4................................................................................................................................................21
P7 Reflection .......................................................................................................................21
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22
Appendix 1 – Questionnaire .........................................................................................................24
Appendix 2 – Project book ...........................................................................................................25
Appendix 3 : Performance review template ..................................................................................27

BACKGROUND
Digital technology is one of the most effective approach an organisation can implement
in order to improve its functions and increase efficiency of business. Development in technology
is helping companies to use innovative techniques and ways to perform various business
operations effectively(Flick, 2015).Digital technology also assists in changing traditional model
of organisational activities. It can support optimum utilisation of resources in each and every
department of a company or business as mentioned below -1. Human resource management – In this department digital technology is utilised for
managing internal environment and human resources of a company. It also helps in
managing performance of each and every employee working in the organisation
(Orlikowski, 2016).2. Operation management – The entire day to day activities or work is included in
operation management, there are many operations which are performed within a business
every day. Using digital technology can assist a company to reduce cost of labour, it also
helps in increasing labour efforts(Flyverbom, Huysman and Matten, 2016).3. Marketing – Marketing department is using digital technology for increasing profitability
and customer involvement. This also helps in promoting innovative advertising
techniques and new products within the marketplace.
4. Financial department – There are various kinds of software’s which assist in recording
financial transaction and accounts of an organisation. The functions related to financial
department are managed and performed efficiently using various technological tools such
as DBMS(Okumus and et.al., 2017).
All the above functions and parts of an organization influence performance and
profitability of business. In present report is context to Continental consulting limited which is IT
company operating its business since 8 years and using technologies or equipment which are not
much effective according to the present technology used by IT industries. This research will
identify the importance of digital technology and its impact on growth or innovation of small
business such as Continental consulting limited (
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LO1
P1 Aim and objectives
Aim - “ To identify the impact of digital technology on growth and innovation within small
business – A study on Continental consulting limited”
Objectives
 To examine the impact of digital technology in IT industry
 To identify the impact of Customer relationship management(CRM) on business
functions
 To understand the transformation of business activities in IT company due to digital-
technologies To analyze the impact of digital technology on Growth of small medium enterprise.
Research questions
1. What is the significance of using digital-technology or application in IT sector?
2. What are the implication supported by project management plan?
3. How digital technology support growth and innovation in small businesses?
4. What are the recommendations for small business with regards to use of digital
technology?
P2 Project management plan
Project management plan consist each and every details which are important for
explaining the entire studies and elements which can be helpful in improving internal and
external working environment in a workplace (Lewis, 2015).A project management plan can be
referred to a strategy related to management activities for accomplishing a specific goal or
objective. The plan for implementing CRM in Continental consulting limited is as follows -
 Cost – Cost is an important element in every management plan, every activity performed
within a company required some cost or expense. In order to complete or perform various
activities within a plan it is essential for distributing cost effectively with respect to their
importance or significance in achievement of goals set for the project. Risk – This is the second important factor that can influence effectiveness of a plan or
strategy within an organization. It is very essential to identify risks involves in a
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management plan, it helps to eliminate any negative element and its impact on the project
management plan. Therefore, identification of different risks is a vital activity or part
within strategic planning of a business. There various risks such as over utilization of
resources, duplication of data or information, lack of employee engagement etc. Project schedule – In this stage management creates appropriate schedule for a project ad
its activities meet outcomes effectively and efficiently. Scheduling each and every
activity in plan can be useful for optimum utilization of time and other resources for
accomplishment of tasks before set deadlines (Parise, Guinan and Kafka, 2016). Identify issue - Issues are the barriers which can affect any strategy or plan propose by
management team. Identification of these problems or obstacles is very important to
ensure easy accomplishment of project objectives according to assumed time. This stage
includes development of risk management plan and risk assessment Quality – Quality of a project depends upon all the factors discussed above, it is very
essential to perform every activity to make sure there is no probability of error or mistake
in implementation of strategy or plan in an organization. High quality of plans and
functions can improve performance or output which can be useful in context of growth
of a firm or business.
 Communication – It is significant to communicate information related to the project
among employees of a company so that they can adapt new techniques or method of
working. Coordination and cooperation of workers is important to implement innovation
in a business. P3 Gantt Chart and Work break-down structure
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Illustration 1: Breakdown structure
§
A work break down structure is an approach to distribute each and every activity of a
project. It helps in framing all the tasks so that errors can be avoided. The above illustration
demonstrates a breakdown structure of activities or functions in Continental consulting limited, it
describes various factors and elements which are utilized in order to accomplish the project plan
and research related to organization. The structure includes planning, implementation and closer
of present project.
Gantt Chart
4

5

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A Gantt chart represents activities that assist in achieving aims and objectives of a project
according to present market position and situation. This research work will help in identifying
activities and their presentation which may help in achieving aims and objectives on a specific
deadline.
LO2
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative methods
In order to accomplish aim and objectives of a research there are various research
methods which can be used, there are two major methods of research which can be utilized in an
examination of study- Quantitative and qualitative. There are various research methodologies
designed for improving outcomes of any research, these tools are used for determining specific
methods to identify research problems and issues with regards to the topic or subject of
examination (Silverman, 2016). In the present study researcher has used a mix approach for
collecting and analyzing relevant information related to this research. In the present report
combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods has been used due to the reliability
and validity of these methods.
 Research philosophy – The theory or philosophy helps in developing most effective
design which can be applied within a research study in order to accomplish aim and
objectives of a study effectively. An appropriate instrument is essential to be used for
obtaining the best results or outcomes from an analysis. There are two main philosophies
used within a research such as Positivism and Interpretivism. Positivism research
philosophy is an approach which assists to provide useful considerations for reliability of
an examination. According to this philosophy the process should be separated and
include repeatable observations.
 It also involves manipulation of reality with variations in every component for
identifying regularities and connecting every element within the society. Predictions
can be done through explained and observed realities accompanied with relation
among them (Nesamoney, 2015).. The other philosophy is known as Interpretivism, it
implies that subjective analysis is one and the only way effective in determining
relevant and significant information. This philosophy also includes interpretation of
the information within a research study. Main components of this approach is the
examination of topic or subject in its natural environment. In this research mix
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philosophies have been utilized to get most appropriate outcomes (Westerman,
Bonnet and McAfee, 2014). Research approach – It is important to understand that a research can be performed in
various forms such as explorative, descriptive, predictive, perspective and explanatory.
Explorative research method is recommended in cases where study is conducted in a
subject and area with limited information or data available. Explorative studies can be
very helpful in finding related to specific research issue or problem. Descriptive research
can be stated as an extension of explorative research in which detailed information
related to events, individuals or situations is presented. The major element of descriptive
method refers to clear collection of data or information, in the view of many researchers
(Fletcher, 2017). In this examination, researcher has used explorative research approach
to collect appropriate data with regards to the impact of digital technology in growth and
innovation within Continental consulting limited. Quantitative and qualitative analysis
will be considered in collection of information through questionnaire developed for
managers working in the cited organization. Research strategies – There are two types of research strategies quantitative and
qualitative, in some conditions a combination of both the strategies are used. The present
research study will need analysis of attitude or behavior of top level management with
regards to digital technology and its impact on growth & innovation. In order to achieve
the aim and objectives of this examination the researcher has used both qualitative and
quantitative research strategies. For collecting data through these strategies' a
questionnaire has been developed for managers working in Continental consulting limited
(Ledford and Gast, 2018). Data sources – There are mainly two sources of collecting data or information such
Primary or secondary sources of data. Primary data has been accumulated via managers
of Continental consulting limited by creating a questionnaire and secondary information
has been gathered through various sources of data such as internet, books and articles
related to the impact of digital technology on small businesses. In the present report
mainly primary data has been considered for collecting research related information
(Walliman, 2017).
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 Sampling – It refers to a group of individuals or respondents who take part in an
interview or survey conducted for collection of information and data within present
research study. In the present examination researcher used non-probabilistic sampling is
used by selecting 10 managers working in cited organization who will respond to
questionnaire created. Sample is very essential for each and every research as it helps in
collecting appropriate information. It can be a group of customers, manager or other
employees who can assist in gathering data related to a subject or topic (Taylor, Bogdan
and DeVault, 2015).There are two types of sampling methods which can be used to select
the population for collecting data through interviews, questionnaires or survey. These
methods are Probabilistic sampling and Non-probabilistic sampling. In probabilistic
sampling population have a chance to be selected in the data collection whereas in Non-
probabilistic random selection of participants is done. In the present research examiner
has used probabilistic sampling by selecting managers working in the cited organisation.
Population in a primary data collection refers to the group of individuals or participant
through which data is been collected. The population in this research is 10 manager. Ethical consideration – There are various ethics and code of conducts which are
essential to be considered while doing a research or study. These ethical codes can be
honesty, social, responsibility, non—discrimination and confidentiality. In the present
examination researcher has ensured that each and every element related to ethical
consideration has been considered. The managers took part in the interview have been
informed about the overall process of research and approval was taken prior to the
interview.
 Source of errors – There are different methods in which issues or errors can occur such
as collection of data, processing, interpretation etc. There is a high probability of these
errors in a research which needs to avoided in order to achieve aim and objectives of the
examination effectively and efficiently (Humphries, 2017).
LO3
P5 Analysis of research data
Questionnaire
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Name
Organization : Continental consulting limited1. What is your age group
 20 to 30
 30 to 40 40 and higher up2. Do you think digital technology affects business functions?
 Yes No3. Which activity is mostly influenced due to digital technology in your organisation?
 Marketing
 Selling
 Account HR4. Which can be the most effective technology for your organisation? Online portals Website CRM system Social media platform5. Do you think Customer relationship management system(CRM) can help in improving
business performance?
 Agree Disagree6. Do you believe digital technology contributes in growth and innovation of your
company?
 Yes No7. Do think digital technology can transform business activities within Continental
consulting limited?
 Yes
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