Continental Consulting: Digital Technology Project Management Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of a business project focused on implementing digital technology at Continental Consulting Limited. It begins with an introduction to the importance of digital technology in modern business and then delves into the project's aims, objectives, and a detailed project management plan (PMP). The PMP includes a scope analysis, cost estimations, quality considerations, and a timeline. The report then presents a work breakdown structure (WBS) and a Gantt chart for project management. Furthermore, it discusses the application of both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including questionnaires, to gather data on the impact of digital technology. The findings are analyzed to provide recommendations on the effective use of social media and its potential impact on business growth and profitability. The report concludes with a reflection on the research process and its value in meeting the stated objectives.

Managing a Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................2
P1 Analysis of project aims and objectives............................................................................2
P2 Production of project management plan............................................................................3
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart....................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................9
P4 Carrying of small scale research through application of qualitative and quantitative
techniques...............................................................................................................................9
P5 Analysis research and data using appropriate tools and techniques................................11
TASK 6..........................................................................................................................................20
P6 Communication of recommendations to draw valid conclusions ..................................20
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................21
P7) Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own
learning and performance in this research............................................................................21
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................21
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1
APPENDIX .....................................................................................................................................3
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INTRODUCTION
Digital technology in today's corporate world have become part and parcel of an
enterprise. It has not only changed how business is perceived but also the way it is performed. A
majority of firms today are adopting digitalization as a primary source for its product
differentiation, profitability and business growth. This entire overhaul of business and
reinvention of its operations is impacted hugely by advent of mobile, social and Big Data
analytics (Hillson, 2017). The report is based on case study of Continental consulting Limited
which is an emerging research and business consulting company dealing in process of re-
engineering since 8 years. With market advancement IT technologies used by company has
become obsolete for which it has decided to introduce new IT technology so as to upgrade their
business, to remain competitive and to expand its operations in market. The project will discuss
aims, objective and time frame in relation to implementation of digital technology. Further
research will be conducted providing recommendation about the prospective impact of
introduction of digitalization on firms operations.
TASK 1
P1 Analysis of project aims and objectives
Digital technology has interfered with every line of businesses. With frequent
technological developments and ready adoption of digital device across the world in form of
smart phone, mobile, tablets etc. have profound transforming impact on clients behaviour and on
small scale businesses to a huge extent. In present day and age, every business irrespective of its
size, nature is competing in a virtual, digital space that offers re-imagining and renovating
ways to serve clients (Nicholas and Steyn, 2017). For instance, social media technology adopted
by Continental Consulting Limited is expected to capture attention of its audience by creating
targeted ads, new about to launch services and other promotional activities to engage them and
to induce them to purchase. Social networking technology has enabled entrepreneur to connect
with their potential clients and revamp their business strategy, product and service models in
customer's favor.
Background of Project: The report is based on impact of digital technology supporting
small business growth and innovation. Continental Consulting Limited is a medium scale
organization that is indulge in re-engineering since 8 years with objective to upgrade diversify
business activities with effectiveness and efficiency. After realising obsolescence of its current
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IT technology that firm is using in its business operations company is to introduce advanced
innovation on their business by adopting social media technology. Adoption of this will assist
firm to directly and frequently communicate with its clients forming strong, amicable
relationship and even proving them chance to collaborate on projects. Also it will provide an
authentic base where in firm could collect opinion and feedbacks of its clients and could adopt
necessary modification in its product or services as per their demand (Jeston, 2014).
However, adopting and implementing a new digital technology is not an easy task as it it
is expected to encounter huge resistance form employees. Therefore to be successful in applying
digitalization in its operations it is of vital importance for managers of Continental Consulting
Limited to encourage its workforce to adopt and assimilate new changes by communicating them
need for adoption and various post phase benefits for company and to staff as a whole.
Topic- “How digital technology has transformed business activities such as marketing,
accounting, operations in chosen organisation.”
Aim: “To determine impact of social media as digital technology on organization and its
various activities.”
Objectives:
 To introduce social media technology in business through various tools.
 To determine impact of adopting social media tools on key business activities. To ascertain probable impact of digitalization of growth and profitability of Continental
Consultancy Limited.
Research Question
 What are the probable social medial tools that Continental Consultancy Limited could opt
in its business?
 What are key business activities that are to be aided by social media technology?
 How digitalization through social media technology could impact growth and profits of
Continental Consultancy Limited?
P2 Production of project management plan
A project management plan(PMP) is a written document that briefs about various
attributes associated with implementation, monitoring, handling and closing of a specific project
that business is to undertake (Crane and Matten, 2016). PMP includes baselines, subsidiary
management plans and other documents related to planning. In context to Continental Consulting
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Limited that is planning to diversify its business through adopting social media technology it is
critical to prepare through PMP. It is essential as it will guide firm to ascertain its objective,
strategy to attain them, workforce required and way in which project is to be documented,
measured and communicated to stakeholders. Thus mentioned below are certain prominent
factors that are requisite for managers of Continental Consulting Limited to analyse prior
implementing digitalization through social media technology: Scope: In UK, social media websites forms integral part of people where in almost 90%
adults age 18-29 years are using it as preferred channel of communicating. In 2017,
social media users are estimated to reach over 39 million. Thus, in terms of scope for
business it forms more agile, immediate, transparent, honest and candid way for a
Continental Consulting Limited to reach out its target audience in most time and cost
effective manner. Be it posting of job vacancies, advertising of products/ service on
various social media tools like Oktopost, tag board, Facebook, snap chat etc. firm could
attain various benefits from social apps (Polonsky and Waller, 2014).
 Cost: It ascertained the total expense that is to be incurred in implementing social media
technology by thoroughly examining various facets related to project. Although internet
in recent times provides to be a cost effective affair for nay business to use however
social media technology to be used as generating and viral marketing campaigns involves
considerable cost that could be estimated to around $1000 per month to $20,000 per
month depending upon size of business (Pekuri and et., al., 2014). As Continental
Consulting Limited is to adopt social media to diversify its business and sales volumes,
it is required to hire professionals having intense knowledge and experience to effectively
utilize such platform. Thus, execution of this project requires formulation of budget
having detailed allocation of funds requisite for various activities to be conducted while
implementing digital technology. Mentioned below is the sample cost statement
Total forecasted budget
Particular 2017-18(£)
Implementing technology cost 20000
Promotional expense 8000
Advertisement expense 6000
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Catalogues 1500
Training charges 8500
Total cost 44000 Quality: Continental Consulting Limited is concerned with providing consultancy
services that requires proficient employees having command over their communication
skills. It is essential to be taken care of as it greatly adds to the qualitative aspect of
services that ate been offered to customers. Therefore just merely adopting social media
technology would not reap benefit of increment in sales volumes for firm. For getting
benefited from this new technique it is essential for firm to provide proper training and
learning to its employees so as to make them comfortable and knowledgeable about
dealing with different clients belonging to various backgrounds. Also, company is to
develop efficient content writers who can write and post impactful information related to
company and its related offers (Brady and Davies, 2014).
 Time: This aspect involves approx time that is expected to be incurred in implementation
of new technology is in its various different departments. Continental Consulting limited
can follow critical path approach. This will assist firm in providing reliable and authentic
information that could be shared with employees to lead their efforts in right direction
focused towards completing particular project within specific timeline.
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 Risk: It is essential aspect that needs to be critically planned in advance during its pre
execution phase of project. This will enable Continental Consulting limited to be
proactive in determining various possible issues that firm might encounter while adopting
and applying digital technology in its business. Some most prominent problems could be
related to lack of funds, lack of staff supports due to inefficient skill and knowledge etc.
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart
Work-Break Down Structure: It suggests disintegration of work into various phases,
work packages and deliverables that assists managers of Continental consulting Limited to
effectively manages their project teams and delegated tasks (Storey, Basterretxea and Salaman,
2014). Here in company has bifurcated the project for implementing digital technology by setting
up practical aims and objectives. This structure visually describes scope, project arrangements
and various operations that are to be performed into smaller chunks each depicting clear vision
of project and its targets. Work Break Down structure also enables firm to distinguish its clients
inclination and needs and to align them with business objectives i.e. business diversification and
advancement.
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Illustration 1: Breakdown Structure for Project Management, 2018
(Source: Breakdown Structure for Project Management, 2018)
Gantt Chart: It is graph depiction of schedule of a project in the form of horizontal bar
charts that indicates timeline of a project including its duration, job sequences, start and ending
dates etc. Continental Consulting Limited prepares Gantt chat that assists its managers to
schedule m manage and monitor project progress, its performance and also to communicate
project status or plans. For this company could make use of critical path model that will assist
firm to determine the total time that project will take to be completed. Besides that it will also
reveal rime taken by each activity, dependencies between various tasks and operations and end
points of deliverables. Mentioned below is the Gantt chart formulated by Continental Consulting
Limited:
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TASK 2
P4 Carrying of small scale research through application of qualitative and quantitative techniques
Quantitative Research: This research is based on scientific process of observing people
for gathering essential non numerical data in reference to a specific subject. It is subject to in
depth analysis of a situation, phenomenon or event that researcher analyse by exploring totality
of a scenario. There are various sources through which relevant information could be obtain for
conducting research such as interview, focus groups, observation etc. Conducting qualitative
research is time consuming and expensive process however data and information methods
adopted are most authentic and reliable. Continental Consulting Limited conducts this type of
research to get analyse probable effect of digital technology i.e. social media techniques and its
connexion in undertaking different business related operations and work.
Quantitative Research: This type of research format involves collecting data and
information in numerical form such as statistics, percentage etc. from existing and potential
customers. Continental Consulting Limited may adopt various methods like sampling, online
surveys, online polls , questionnaire etc. to ascertain impact of implementation of social media
technology on its business and its performance (Du, Leten and Vanhaverbeke, 2014).
Data Collection: For carrying out research Continental Consulting Limited have make
use for primary sources of collecting information and data through questionnaire. The sample
size used by the research team for surveying are 30 respondents. Mentioned below is the
questionnaire that firm circulated to both employees and clients for collecting relevant
information and data:
Questionnaire
Name:
Gender:
Occupation:
Contact no.:
Email id:
Q1) In your opinion is social media technology forms useful addition to improve business
performance?
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 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Disagree
Q2) Does social media provides better growth opportunities by enhancing company's visibility
and positioning?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Disagree
 Strongly Disagree
Q3) According to you which is most effective social media tool that contributes in Continental
Consulting Limited growth and diversification?
 Oktopost
 Facebook
 Tag Board
 Twitter
Q4) What are likeable outcome to be received by Continental Consulting Limited after
implementing social media technology in its business activities?
 Optimum utilization of resources
 Improving overall performance
 Customizing services
Q5) What is most prominent benefit that Continental Consulting Limited is expected to attain
through implementation social media technology?
 Increase in sales volumes
 Enhancement in brand image
 Increase in awareness about products
Q6) Most appropriate reason according to your opinion for Continental Consulting Limited to
adopt social media technology?
 To reach out more customers
 Due to market competition
 To supplement traditional media used by company
Q7) Most prominent problem that Continental Consulting Limited might encounter while
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implementing social media techniques in its business activities?
 Employees Resistance
 Huge Cost
 Time
Q8) Will implementation of digital technology will reduce down the work load of employees?
 Yes
 No
Q9) Areas of business activities where social media technology is supposed to provide
maximum advantage for Continental Consulting limited?
 Accounts
 Marketing
 Human resource
 Operational
Q10) Any recommendation for Continental Consulting Limited in relation to adopting social
media techniques as part of digitalisation?
P5 Analysis research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Research Design: There are basically three types of research design i.e. descriptive,
exploratory and experimental that is been carried out by a researcher for analysing impact. In
reference to research conducted by Continental Consulting Limited, descriptive research design
will be most appropriate to derive an effective and accurate conclusion.
Research Philosophy: Interpretivism philosophy will be implied in this report that will
enable firm to efficiently analyse data and information to arrive at an appropriate and authentic
conclusion.
Data Analysis: For this thematic analysis will be used under which various themes will
be constructed that will help in carrying out research efficiently. Themes for every questions will
be made that will aid scholar in minutely determining response.
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