Managing a Successful Business Project: John Lewis Case Study

This report examines John Lewis's project to launch a new shoe collection, focusing on project management and research methodologies. It begins with an introduction to globalization and its impact on businesses, followed by an overview of the project's aims and objectives, including competing with rival brands and enhancing profitability. The report outlines a project management plan, including cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk, and resources. A work breakdown structure (WBS) and Gantt chart are used to organize and schedule project tasks. The research methodology incorporates both qualitative and quantitative approaches, with primary data collected through questionnaires. Data collection methods, including primary and secondary data, are described. The report presents research findings, data analysis, and recommendations based on the collected data. The conclusion reflects on the value of the research in meeting the stated objectives.

Managing a Successful
Business Project
Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Project aims and objectives.............................................................................................1
P2 Project Management Plan...............................................................................................2
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart...................................................................3
TASK 2...........................................................................................................................................6
P4 Small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research.....................6
TASK 3.........................................................................................................................................10
P5 Examine research and data by using appropriate tools...............................................10
P6 Recommendations& Conclusions.................................................................................17
TASK 4.........................................................................................................................................18
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives..............18
CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

INTRODUCTION
Globalisation refers to the process which aid in moving and integrating with different
people, organisation as well as government across the whole wide world. Globalisation is a
process which will aid in providing goods and services all over the world. The present report is
based on a company which is a large scale fashion enterprise. John Lewis is the base company
who mainly create, manufacture as well as sell its goods and services to different retailers who
deals in fashion industry across the whole wide world (Ahmed and et. al., 2013). They deals in
various goods which includes watches, house wear, furniture, jewellery, beds, clothes and many
more. Recently, company introduce its brand new summer collection of shoe so that they can
compete with other big brands. For this, an event is conducted which is London fashion week
where they launch there shoe. One of the major aim is to examine the aim along with the
objectives for the present case scenario of John Lewis. The present report also includes the
project management plan which consists of resources, cost, scope, time as well as quality while
conducting this research project.
TASK 1
P1 Project aims and objectives
Globalisation refers to the process which will aid in interacting and communicating
with ample number of individuals, companies located in different countries of the world. It
is the concept which directly affects the business functionality at both domestic as well as
international level. In the present context of John Lewis, company is launching its new
product which is shoe along with Achilles tendon protector. With the aid of this, it will
reduce the pain on the Achilles with the aid of locking it around the heel. Present company
is going to launch their new product at London fashion week as there are large number of
individuals come to join this event (Crane and Matten, 2016). In addition to this, various
branded shoes aid in creating goodwill by selling unique products. Company launch product
which is unique in shape and design so that large number of customers will be attracted
towards their brand. This will aid in generating more profitability at the competitive
marketplace.
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Aim: “To launch new range of shoe in the London fashion week so that they can compete with
other rivalry brands and enhance its own profitability”. A case study on John Lewis.
Objectives:
 To determine the concept of presenting new product at global market.
 To examine the success of presenting new product in front of other big scale business
rivals.
 To know the challenges of introducing new product at the market place. To analyse the strategies of launching new services at international market which will aid
in maximising profitability of the company.
Questions:
 What is the concept of presenting new product at global market?
 How to examine the success of presenting new product in front of other big scale
business rivals?
 What are the challenges of introducing new product at the market place?
 How to analyse the strategies of launching new services at international market which
will aid in maximising profitability of the company?
P2 Project Management Plan
Project management plan is considered as the written document which is formulated by project
manager in order to guide whole team in single direction. The plan includes various factors on
the basis of which whole work of the research is conducted in effective manner. With reference
to the present case investigator has developed project manager plan in order to conduct an
effective investigation for John Lewis (Lin and Chen, 2012). All of factors of the project
management plan are defined as below in detailed manner.
 Cost- It is seen as the specific amount of money that is required to be used in every
project for the better execution of the project. With reference to present investigation,
researcher will require around 150 Euro in order to accomplish all research activities
effectively.
 Scope- The term referred as the chances opportunity which can be developed in
future within specific period of time. With reference to the current case, it has been
analysed that scope for present investigation is very broad. This is because, the core
topic of research is related to globalisation which is quite trendy topic as large scale
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companies prefers to conduct research on the same so that they can effectively
expand their business in international market with less difficulties (Smith, 2011 ).
 Time- It refers to duration of specific activity consumed for accomplishing particular
work. With reference to the current investigation, researcher will require around 2
months to conduct an effective investigation on the stated topic.
 Quality- Quality refers to the first and foremost purpose of every project which
shows effectiveness and value of the project. While considering current investigation,
it has been seen that researcher will ensure quality of research by collecting
information from the authenticate sites. This will help out investigator in going
through informative and accurate data which will contribute in obtaining true
outcome for the same (Shang, 2012 ).
 Communication- All related information related to investigation will be
communicated to whole research team through formal meetings, email, telephonic
conversation, etc. All of these communication medium are appropriate for the current
case it deliver right information to all without any misunderstanding.
 Risk- Every project is consisting of some kind of risk that could influence research
outcome in negative manner. For current investigation, potential risk of the study is
related to time, quality, cost and others. It can be said that if any of the stated factor
does not matches with the stated estimation that it would place negative influence
over the possible outcome of project.
 Resources- For current investigation, researcher will be required different resources
in order to complete this research effectively. It has been seen that financial
resources, human resource, technology etc. are some of the common resources that
will be required by researcher in order to perform all of the related activities in
effective manner (Lai and Ong, 2010 ).
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Work breakdown structure – It refers to the structure where each and every project is
divided into various parts so that it could easily and effectively be managed by the employees.
Generally, WBS structure helps in managing large projects into small and manageable task in
order to attain final project. WBS is a timeline which helps in identifying the time period
included in the whole project. It is a graphical representation which includes time period of every
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task. With the assistant of a graphic box it will determines the overall project (Jones and
Lubinski, 2012).Apartfrom this with the help of this each and every sub factors are listed while
describing the work.
Gantt chart –It refers to a graphical presentation of different schedule which aid in
planning, managingand organizing all the task in an effective manner. It plays very
important role in planning and scheduling projects as well as in order to know the time
period included while conducting this research. It also provide assistance while managing
the dependencies between eachand every tasks (Kankaanranta and Planken, 2010).
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TASK 2
P4 Small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research
While conducting this research, it is very essential for the investigator to take
consideration of research methodology. All this will provide assistant in order to organise,
arrange as well as interpret the relevant information which is required by researcher to
conduct the project in an effective manner. Apart from this, there are two concepts which
includes quantitative as well as qualitative method. Research use various methods so that
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they can conduct it’s whole research in an effective and efficient manner. With the help of
this, researcher will able to conduct its whole research process in an effective manner. In
addition to this, there are various aspects which are as follows:
Qualitative research method – It is one of the most significant method used for
collecting data and information in order to accomplish the research in an effective and
efficient manner. It is the method used by researcher for gathering and collecting
information, data, facts as well as figures so that they can accomplish it’s goal (Eckerson,
2010). It is the data collection method used by researcher which includes various methods.
These methods are observation, questionnaires, focus group, interview and many more(Lai
and Ong, 2010). All these methods help the researchers in order to gather required and
relevant information so that they will accomplish their existing research in an effective
manner. Along with this researcher will be able to know about the response as well as
different aspects of consumers, therefore it will leads to provide effective services and
products to the customers. Qualitative methods of collecting data is the method which is
designed in such an effective manner as it will help in analysing the behaviour and
perception of customers.
Quantitative research method – This type of data collection method is used when
researchers wants to gather information in numerical method. It can be done with the help of
statistical approach. These types of techniques and tools will be used by organization in the
manner of interviews, questionnaires, observations and many more.
In the present research report, investigator adopt qualitative research method for
collecting required as well as relevant data in order to complete the project effectively.
Primary data collection method – It is one of the data collection method used by
researcher in order to collect data and information within a specific period of time and to
gain positive outcome. Along with this, with the help of effective method researcher will be
able to draw effective conclusion. It is important as well as beneficial for the researcher to
adopt this method as it is very authentic and relevant in nature. In the present context of
research, investigator adopt various methods and techniques so that they can conduct the
whole research in a best possible way (Jones and Lubinski, 2012 ). Apart from this,
questionnaires method is used by researcher in order to gather information and conclude the
research effectively (Lin and Chen, 2012).
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Secondary data collection method – It refersto that source of collecting information
which is already collected by any one else in past. This method of data collection includes
journals, books, internet, magazine and many more. In this method researcher collect data
within very short period of time and with very less cost. It is the method used by large
number of researchers as it is cost beneficial as well as less time consuming.
Data collection – It is the process where researcher gather all the required
information and data so that they can conclude their research in an effective manner. In this
researcher adopt different methods for collecting data which includes both primary as well
as secondary method of data collection (Incelli, 2013 ).
Questionnaire – It includes a series of various questions which is formulated by
researcher so that they can identify the perception of customers. It includes various types of
questions which is formulated by investigator in order to examine the perspective of
respondents. In the present report, total number of respondents are 30 and these respondents
are stakeholders as well as employees of the company
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Address:
Gender:
Email Id:
Q.1. Do you know the concept of globalisation?
 Yes
 No
Q.2. As per your thoughts, do you think globalisation aid in establishing new products of John
Lewis?
 Agree
 Disagree
Q.3. What is the advantages of introducing new products at international market place?
 Generate huge income
 Capture large market share
 Enhance organisational image
Q.4. What are the challenges faced by company while introducing new product at the market
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place?
 Advanced technology
 Different preference and taste of customers
Q.5. According to you, is company will gain benefits after adopting new strategies?
 Yes
 No
Q.6. What are the different methods with the help of which John Lewis can effectively
introduce their new product at international level?
 Develop effective strategies
 Examine current market trends
Q. 7. Do you think, launching of new product at market place will help John Lewis in
influencing interest of customer towards the company?
 Agree
 Disagree
Q.8. Provide suggestions to the company regarding launch of new shoe to beat the competition
and maximise their own profitability?
Questionnaire
Q.1. Do you know the concept of globalisation? Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 5
Q.2. As per your thoughts, do you think globalisation aid in establishing
new products of John Lewis?
Frequency
a) Agree 20
b) Disagree 10
Q.3. What is the advantages of introducing new products at international
market place?
Frequency
a) Generate huge income 15
b) Capture large market share 10
c) Enhance organisational image 5
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Q.4. What are the challenges faced by company while introducing new
product at the market place?
Frequency
a) Advanced technology 25
b) Different preference and taste of customers 5
Q.5. According to you, is company will gain benefits after adopting new
strategies?
Frequency
a) Yes 22
b) No 8
Q.6. What are the different methods with the help of which John Lewis
can effectively introduce their new product at international level?
Frequency
a) Develop effective strategies 15
b) Examine current market trends 15
Q. 7. Do you think, launching of new product at market place will help
John Lewis in influencing interest of customer towards the company?
Frequency
a) Agree 20
b) Disagree 10
TASK 3
P5 Examine research and data by using appropriate tools
Theme 1: Concept of globalisation
Q.1. Do you know the concept of globalisation? Frequency
 Yes 25
 No 5
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