Managing Successful Business Projects: Digital Workspace Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of innovative digital workspaces within the UK retail industry, focusing on Marks and Spencer (M&S) and H&M. The research aims to identify the role of digital technology in transforming workplaces. The report includes project planning, a literature review exploring the concept of workplace transformation and the types of digital transformation used by M&S and H&M, along with the benefits of innovative digital tools. It examines the use of technologies like cloud data platforms, unified commerce, RFID tags, and AI-driven chatbots. The methodology involves a questionnaire method with 30 respondents. The report covers project milestones, initiation, planning, execution, and a work breakdown structure. The literature review discusses digital transformation, its impact on customer experience, and operational optimization. The report concludes with an analysis of the benefits and values of digital tools for M&S, emphasizing improved efficiency, enhanced customer experience, and the creation of a positive working environment.

Unit Number and
Title
Unit 6 – Managing
Successful Business Project
Title What does an innovative
digital workspace look like?
Table of Contents
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Portfolio: What does an innovative digital workspace look like?
1 – Project planning p - 4
2 – Business Case Project report p - 7
2 – Project Logbook p - 24
4 – Reflective Practice p - 25
References p - 23
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Portfolio: What does an innovative digital workspace look like?
INTRODUCTION
Workplace transformation is defined as a business strategy that helps the company in
creating positive working environment for its employees. With the advancement in
technology in today's modern world, it is very important for every organisation to implement
strategy related to workplace transformation which results in improving its overall
performance and productivity (Meske and Junglas, 2021). It is mainly defined as a systematic
process by which work, employees are aligned effectively with the different network and
technology for improving their efficiency. Workplace transformation is all about making
changes in the workplace environment and rethinking all the strategies in order to
accommodate different types of work, technology and employees. It helps in improving the
skills, abilities and tools for keeping updated with the changing technology and organisation
strategy in order to gain more growth and success in the competitive market (Mingaleva and
Shironina, 2021).
For carrying out the above research, the researcher has selected two organisation that
is Marks and Spencer & H&M. Marks and Spencer is considered as a renowned multinational
retailer that focuses on delivering high quality clothing, beauty, food and home products with
its headquarters in London, England (Esoimeme, 2020). The company operates its business
operations across the world with around 1463 stores that produce quality products for the
customers. Whereas H&M is also considered as a famous multinational clothing brand which
is headquartered in Stockholm, mainly focuses on delivering quality clothing products for
men, kids, women and teenagers. H&M operates its business operations in all over world
with over 5000 stores which ficus on delivering best quality products to the customers and for
positioning the brand in the business market (Rana and Tajuddin, 2021).
Research aim, objectives and questions
Research Aim:
To identify the role of innovative digital technology in transforming the workplace of
the UK retail industry: A study on M&S
Research Objectives:
 To develop basic understanding regarding the Transformation of the Workplace in
context with UK retail industry
 To identify the type of digital transformation used by M&S and H&M
 To evaluate the benefits and values of using innovative digital tools for M&S
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 To determine the role of innovative digital technology in transforming the workplace
of the UK retail industry
Research questions:
 What is the concept of transformation of the workplace in context with UK retail
industry?
 What are the types of digital transformation used by M&S and H&M?
 What are the benefits and values of using innovative digital tools for M&S?
 What are the roles of innovative digital technology in transforming the workplace of
the UK retail industry?
1 – Project planning
Scope: What activities and tasks as defined in the project must be done in order to
make the project a success?
There are different types of activities that the researcher taken into consideration in
order to make the following conducted research to gain success. The tasks related to the
following research mainly includes introduction about the chosen topic which defines the
aim, objectives and questions along with the background of the company and rationale.
Another activity that needs to be completed is the literature review which provides a
summarised details about the selected research topic and helps the researcher in achieving the
desired objectives of the research (Berente and Howison, 2019). It also takes into
consideration about different authors writing and helps the researcher in gaining authentic
and reliable information about the chosen research topic or study. The following research
methodology also covers about the data analysis and its interpretation part so that accurate
and correct information can be collected and analysed by the researcher. The researcher also
defined the conclusion and recommendation related to the given topic and it is stated in the
end of the research for deriving effective findings and results.
Scope of the research
The scope of the present research is limited as it has selected questionnaire method
and 30 respondents are selected from the chosen organisation. This limits the scope of the
whole research as conclusion is based on the information gathered from the 30 respondents.
For getting wider scope in the following conducted research, the researcher has used data
collection methods that are known as primary and secondary (Tyson and Adams, 2019). This
helps the researcher in collecting and analysing information in a systematic and efficient
manner.
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Milestones: Major events or phases in the project
There are two important events that are mainly highlighted in the whole research and
they are defined as research methodology and literature review. Literature review is the most
important section that helps the researcher in gaining information from secondary sources
using journals and books along with the internet and articles (South, Eriksson and Levitt,
2018). It has also used the writings and knowledge of different renowned authors for
maintaining the authenticity of the collected information. Research methodology defined in
the present research is that it mainly uses the positivism philosophy and deductive approach
along with survey method and quantitative choice in the type of questionnaire which consists
of questions. It makes use of both methods of data collection which is primary and secondary
also with cross sectional method. Literature review is considered as the main milestone of the
research as it helps in gaining important information about the given research topic or study.
Secondary sources can be of many types such as magazines, newspapers, publications,
journals, articles and so on which helps in collecting detailed and accurate information about
the given topic (Noktehdan, et. al., 2019). It is very important for the researcher to determine
the right type of research methodology method for gathering and analysing the information in
a efficient and systematic manner.
Initiation, planning and execution: Details of activities to be carried in the project
Project life cycle is mainly consists of 4 stages that helps the project manager in
concluding the complete research in a successful way.
Initiation – Initiation is the first stage of project life cycle that helps the researcher in getting
the idea to start the following project in an effective manner. Development of that particular
idea helps the researcher to focus and make efforts to work on it (Stjernholm and Wennergren
Gros, 2020). With the help of this stage the researcher select the type of topic, decide the aim
of the project and set objectives and questions relayed to that selected topic in an appropriate
way.
Planning – The next stage is about planning and this mainly involves determining and
choosing suitable research method and different sources for collecting reliable information.
Execution – Another important stage is execution which includes how these selected
research methods are used in the project to gather and evaluate information.
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Closure – This is considered as the last stage and helps the researcher in completing the
whole project in an effective manner. In this, the researcher has used communication, time,
quality and several other elements.
Gantt chart: Work break down structure using to track the activities to be undertaken
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Work breakdown structure
3 – Business Case Project Report
Chapter 1: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction of Literature Review
Literature review is defined as a written overview about the major writings and
different types of sources on the selected research topic. This section helps in gaining a
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detailed information about the topic in a summarised form from different authors so that
effective and efficient information can be attained.
2.2 Main body with heading and sub-headings
What is the concept of transformation of the workplace in context with UK retail
industry?
According to Marc Benioff, 2022, the digital transformation is referred as procedure
of using digital technologies for creating new or making modification in existing business
processes, culture and customer experience for meeting the changing business and
requirements of market. It helps in changing the way of doing business and creates new class
of business. It helps in adding value to every customer interaction. It is investment in new
technology, business models. The digital transformation in retail industry helps retailers in
providing omni channel for shopping and delivery options for customers. The customer get
opportunity to get access stores from anywhere in world through mobile devices. The
transformation helps in customer engagement as business depends upon the satisfied
customer base in order to increase bottom line. For the retailers technological advancements
such as mobile computing and data analytics made easier to communicate and understanding
customers. In retail industry there is design of CRM (customer relationship management)
which is used for determining customer data and provides insight about customer
demographics based on preferences & behaviour. According to Deb Marotta, 2022, the
transformation helps in optimising operations through data-driven decision making,
streamlined workflow and great operational visibility across channels. The integration can be
promoted by implementing ERP systems that helps in breakdown barriers between
applications for providing holistic view of cross channel operations in retail which involves
inventory, customer transactions and customer services etc. In retail industry there are several
tools which is used for digital transformation such as machine learning, artificial intelligence,
unified e-commerce etc.
What are the types of digital transformation used by M&S and H&M?
According to Tim (2022), the Marks and Spencer is UK multinational retail company
which take the use of digital transformation to have sustainability. It is taking use of cloud
data platform 'BEAM' which is unlocking new data, powering data-driven decisions making
and helping in revolutionising the ways in which it is operating through analytics and data
science. The Marks and Spencer take use of unified commerce to provide shoppers multiple
channels such as mobile, social web etc. which help organisation in managing all different
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systems that is used by retailer for conducting business. The company take use of 'connected
voice of customer' which helps in making better business decisions so that focus can be made
on what is important in driving performance by making better use of data. By taking use of
digital transformation it helps in delivering better customer experiences. According to
Elizabeth Mixson 2021, the H&M is taking use of technology such as RFID Tags, H&M can
track and manage its inventory in real time. The company take use of artificial intelligence
which helps in delivering 24/7 services that is expected by shoppers. With the AI-driven
chatbots as digital store it helps them in responding customer queries through text or
messages. The H&M is also capable to deliver more precise supply and demand predictions.
The Online H&M is global fashion giant which increases efficiency in online ordering
fulfilment by implementing robotic technology.
What are the benefits and values of using innovative digital tools for M&S?
As per the view of Watson, Wilson and Macdonald (2020), innovative digital tools
offers various benefits to M&S and this helps in increasing the working efficiency and
effectiveness of employees towards achieving the goal and objectives of the business. It is
very important for the business to adopt digital technologies within the organisation in order
to improve the operations of the business so that better utilisation of resources can be taken
place. With the help of digital technology the organisation can improve its performance and
productivity as technology helps in doing the work more deliberately. Using digital
workplace transformation not only helps in saving money but also helps in saving the time
and helps in competing the given project in an accurate manner. Better and effective
technology helps in creating a positive working environment for all the employees where
they feel important and valued for giving their best in M&S. Enhanced customer experience
is also considered as the benefit that helps in gaining more number of customers for
purchasing M&S desired products that are of good quality through online platforms. Better
engagement of employees is also a major benefit that helps the company in increasing the
level of motivation and morale for working towards achieving high growth and success in the
competitive market (Crosta, Castro and Glass, 2020).
What are the roles of innovative digital technology in transforming the workplace of the UK
retail industry?
As per the view of Meske and Junglas (2021), digital technology plays a very important role
in transforming the workplace as it helps in making the process of business more efficient
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and effective. It helps in reducing the duplication of work as new and innovative technology
helps in improving the communication process which results in increasing transparency. It
helps in collaboration and managing the team work so that all the employees work more
efficiently and effectively for achieving the goals in the UK retail industry. The company that
promote collaboration among the workers tends to be more productive and efficient in
working and affects the performance of employees positively. Digital technologies also helps
in building work related apps that results in making employees more understanding about
what work they need to perform and how effectively they need to work with the business
applications (Martínez-Caro, Cegarra-Navarro and Alfonso-Ruiz, 2020). Promotes flexible
working practices in the company so that employees can work from anywhere in order to
make them feel comfortable and reliance in achieving the set objectives of the company in
the competitive environment.
2.3 Conclusion of Literature Review
It is concluded from the above literature review is that adoption of digital technology
is very important for the organisation in order to survive in the highly competitive business
market. Digital transformation helps an organisation in keeping up with the new emerging
demands of customers in order to make them survive in the competitive market.
Chapter 1: Methodology
3.1 Research Process
It is defined as a step by step process that the researcher follows to carry out the investigation
in an effective and scientific manner (Mohajan, 2018). Identifying the problem related to
research, developing the aim, objective and hypothesis, literature review, preparing design of
research, collecting data, evaluating and analyzing data, writing the report.
3.2 Research Approach
There are mainly two type of research approaches such as deductive and inductive. In
the present investigation, deductive approach has been chosen by the investigator (Dźwigoł
and Dźwigoł-Barosz, 2018). The benefit for choosing this approach is that it helps the
investigator in analyzing the existing theories so that aims and objectives of the research can
be obtained in an effective manner.
3.3 Research Strategy
There are different types of research strategies which helps in conducting the research
and they are defined as survey focus group, systematic literature review, interview,
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questionnaire and so on (Zangirolami-Raimundo, Echeimberg and Leone, 2018). Survey
method is used by the investigator for carrying put the present investigation. The benefit is
that it helps in collecting accurate information from the large sample data.
3.4 Research Methodology and Tools
It is defined as the process of identifying, examining and interpreting data as per the
given topic or study. This section helps the researcher in what type of philosophy, choice,
data collection method is used for collecting and evaluating information (Ngozwana, 2018).
The researcher has used this particular section for deriving accurate and valuable data.
Research philosophy
Positivism and interpretivism are two different types of research philosophies.
Positivism philosophy is used by the researcher to carry out the current research in an
effective manner (Bairagi and Munot, 2019). The reason for this is that it helps in collecting
and evaluating objective data so that present trend and pattern can be obtained.
Research choice
Qualitative and quantitative are considered as the two reach choice methods that are
used by the researcher. In the current investigation, quantitative method is used by the
investigator (Säfsten and Gustavsson, 2020). This method helps the investigator in gathering
data in values and figures as it is easy to calculate and interpret.
Time horizon
There are mainly two types of time horizon methods that helps the researcher in
competing the research in time such as longitudinal and cross-sectional (Dodds and Hess,
2020). Cross-sectional method is selected by the researcher in the present conducted research.
The reason for selecting this method is that it helps in gathering the real time data within the
given time frame and in less cost.
Data collection
There are two types of sources that helps in collecting data such primary and secondary.
Primary and secondary both methods are used by the researcher in the present research
(Abutabenjeh and Jaradat, 2018). The reason for selecting both the method us that it helps in
collecting detailed and accurate information about the topic from different sources.
Data analysis
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Thematic and frequency distribution are considered as the two tools for collecting
data. The researcher has used frequency distribution in the present research. The reason for
selecting this tool is it helps in evaluating quantitative data in a simpler manner.
Sampling
There are generally two types of sampling methods such as probability and non-
probability. In the present investigation, the investigator has used probability sampling and in
which random sampling method is used (Al-Ababneh, 2020). The sample size selected by the
researcher is 30 employees of M&S.
Chapter 3: Findings and Discussion (Data Presentation & Interpretation)
Questionnaire
Q1) Do you have enough knowledge about the concept of transformation of the workplace in
context with UK retail industry?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Do you think that workplace transformation bring positive changes within an organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) According to your opinion, what are the different types of digital transformation that are
used by M&S and H&M?
a) Bringing artificial intelligence
b) AI powered chatbots
c) RFID tags
d) 3D fashion design technology
Q4) Do you think that the different types of digital transformation improves the profitability and
growth of business?
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