Project Management Report: Analyzing McDonald's Business Strategy

This report provides a detailed analysis of project management principles applied to McDonald's, focusing on the impact of digital technology on its business operations. The report begins by outlining project aims and objectives, including the need to adapt to technological advancements, and defines a project management plan covering aspects like cost, time, quality, and scope. A Gantt chart and work breakdown structure are also presented. The report then delves into research methodologies, employing both qualitative and quantitative analysis to gather data on the subject. The research utilizes the research onion method and includes an ethical statement, research philosophy, and details on sample size and sampling techniques. Finally, the report presents findings and recommendations, suggesting strategies for adapting to technological changes and ensuring continued business growth. The report emphasizes the importance of communication, resource management, and the use of data analysis tools in achieving project success. The report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of project management in the context of a real-world business scenario, offering valuable insights for students studying business development.

MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PROJECT
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................2
LO1 Explanation of the aims of projects, project objectives and the timeline................................2
P1 Formation of the project objectives and aims.............................................................................2
P2 Generating project management plan covering all aspects of business.....................................3
P3 Gantt chart structure breakdown................................................................................................5
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................7
LO2 Conduction of a small-scale research, data collection and information gathering..................7
P4 Elaboration of small-scale research with the help of quantitative and qualitative methods.......7
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................9
LO3 Presentation of project and communicate appropriate recommendation................................9
P5 Analysis of tools and technique..................................................................................................9
P6 Recommendation on the basis of data analysis........................................................................11
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................12
LO4 Reflecting on the value gained for project and its usefulness for the organisation...............12
P7 Reflection about research.........................................................................................................12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................13
Reference list.................................................................................................................................14
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Introduction
The modernisation in technology in the recent times has created a dramatic impact on the
business sectors. The emergence of the complete new trends of technology has enforced the
organisations into the competitive market of the modern times. In this scenario, McDonald’s
have been selected in order to breakdown its constant coping nature with the new innovations
and changes in technology. Irrespective of the type of service, technology has become a huge
part of the business for many organisations. McDonalds is making use of modern techniques
like, the digital ordering systems, advanced food manufacturing and storing equipments, like the
high volume ice maker, glass merchandising countertop refrigerator. The modern digital
technology shall be analyses and evaluated with the help of quantities and qualities analysis in
the study. The managerial skills in terms of technology is becoming highly essential with time
and requires advanced ideology in order to increase sales percentage and also keep the business
growth enact.
Task 1
LO1 Explanation of the aims of projects, project objectives and the timeline
P1 Formation of the project objectives and aims
Objectives
● To interpret the consequential influences of the emerging digital technologies in the
business.
● To analyse the appropriate resources needed in the organisation to cope up with the rapid
changes in technology.
● To implement resolutions for keeping the business growth stable and cope up with the
modifications.
Aims
The aim of this particular project is to derive the resources of the chosen organisation in a tactful
way, so that the gaps in terms of technology are filled. McDonalds is a large business group and
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possess existing ideologies to adjust with the modern technology. Achieving the project aims can
help in modifying and diminishing the limitations caused due to the interference of changing
technology.
P2 Generating project management plan covering all aspects of business
The use of the project management plan is highly essential to cope up with the changing
scenarios. In the opinion of Weill and Woerner (2015, p.27), the project management plan shall
aid in the monitoring, controlling and execution of the resources and ideologies in an appropriate
manner. The plan consists of several segments that explain the detailing of the project plan that
shall make the execution easier. The different aspects based on which the management plan shall
be further explained are,
Cost
Utilising the finance and understanding the priorities is essential when it comes to carrying out a
stable and successful business. Every business requires financial savings. McDonalds serves as
one of the largest or established chains of food and beverage services and runs on huge capitals
and financial statements. In order to make savings, utilising the resources experiences and
skillets in the correct manner is important.
As per Smith (2014, p.248), the company can imply tech-savvy cost cutting methods, like
automating functions, using lower budget applications and free tools. In that way, the company
can gain on areas like, frequent cost cutting, shortening down on unnecessary expenses and also
retaining resources in the long run.
Time
The indulgence of technology is itself a time saver but only when utilised in the way. The
services in the several stores are always met with certain time lines and frames. Customer service
demands deadlines of deliveries, quick orders and even more. In order to improvise time
management, automated services can be encouraged and also time saving techniques can be
implemented in the operations team.
Quality
As stated by Rayna and Striukova (2016, p.214), the quality factor is directly proportional to the
time and the resources factor. The senior management team can come up with eminent training
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programs to take out better output from the employees and assigning the right kind of job roles
that can help improve qualities of products and services in the business.
Scope
The scope of the managing of technologies can provide the business with higher opportunities
and help in the identification of the positive influences of tackling the technological hindrances.
The organisation can be exposed to
Communication
The collaboration and communication is one of the most important factors in technology. Digital
technology has provided the organisations with various options to ease the means of internal as
well as external communication. The different applications like, display media and social media,
like the LinkedIn.
Risk and resources
As per Prajogo (2016, p.241), there are several and risk factors involved in the organisation. The
entire business chain of McDonald’s including several obstacles. The company also have to go
through certain loss due to consequences and other factors influencing the operations and
utilization of the resources. Thus, the utilisation of resources and deduction of organisational
waste matters can help coping with the ever advancing technological systems.
Plan
The centre of attention of the entire project focuses on the matching of conditions and criteria of
the business with the impacts of technology. The changes in technology are global and impact on
the internal as well as the external environment of the business. The scenario of McDonalds is on
the verge of excessively rapid changes and the project management plan highlights the core areas
for the fixation of the above mentioned lacking by expecting effective outputs. Since, the
management plan involves quite a number of information, methodologies, techniques and
resources, the estimated budget shall sum up to $ 4 million, whereas the time being 9 months.
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Figure 1: Project Management Plan
(Source: Created by author)
P3 Gantt chart structure breakdown
Work break down structure
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Figure 2: Work breakdown structure
(Source: Created by author)
Gantt chart
As per Prajogo, D.I., (2016, p. 241), the factors and segments mentioned are to be inclined or
aligned with the affectivity of the resources of the organisation to help coping with the
technological advancement. As mentioned earlier in the study, the organisation can improvise
automated activities in order to cut down on labour costs and also introduce training and
development programs. The involvement of the tech support experts can also help establishing
technological knowledge in the business environment. The method of training programs can be
time consuming and require attention to special areas of loops. Henceforth, the entire budget
shall lead to the amount of $ 4 million and the required timeframe being 9 months.
Figure 3: Gantt chart
(Source: Created by Author)
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Figure 4: Milestone schedule
(Source: Created by Author)
The mil stone is mainly helpful for having a close observation on the project in an effective way.
It is helpful for following the objectives and aims of the project.
Task 2
LO2 Conduction of a small-scale research, data collection and information
gathering
This part of the assignment deals with making a small-scale research for the project. Apart from
that, it has focused immensely on the data collection process to generate a sustainable knowledge
for fulfilling the research objectives.
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P4 Elaboration of small-scale research with the help of quantitative and
qualitative methods
According to Oldham and Da Silva (2015, p.11), the project method requires the two eminent
types of analysis and methods. It shall help in covering every aspect of the issues experienced by
the company in details. The two categories of the project methods shall be explained further,
Analysis based on the research onion method
Figure 4: A simplified demonstration of the Onion Research
(Source: Rayna and Striukova 2016, p.102)
The research method provides a large number of methodologies to carry out the experiments in
the reformed ways. It consists of high capability of adoption of different kind of techniques of
evaluation. The onion research has different layers and incorporates flexibility to the project
methodologies. Two of the eminent analysis methods that are to be utilised in this scenario are,
Qualitative analysis
This particular category of analysis shall help in examining the subject to the depth and brushing
each influencing factor. The method involves the perspectives of a group of experienced people
in the management as well as audiences. The interviewing and face to face interaction methods
can help in understanding the subject from different viewpoints, which shall contribute in
enhancing the areas of drawbacks for McDonalds. As stated by Prajogo (2016, p.241), the
method further improvises on managers and marketers to understand the significance of
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technology and at the same time understanding the way in which the new technology is changing
the on goings in the business market. Also, the qualitative analysis method shall basically polish
the existing strategies of the company. Though the access to the data in this method is limited,
the information is always intact and definite compared to other methods that can help in bringing
more specific information regarding the use of digital technology.
Quantitative analysis
This specific method is diverse and has a broader access to the analysis. In this technique of
analysis, the number of participants is also greater. Unlike the qualitative analysis, the viewpoint
of the external resources of the organisation is collected. The means of approaches are
questionnaires through emails, surveys applied on the consumers and more. The collection of
this form of data is secondary and the information is comparably less definite to some extent.
Though, it shall help a company like the McDonald's to understand the existing complications
that are hard to detect most of the time. It shall also help in automatically increase the affectivity
by meeting the targets, requirements and demands, once the problems are visible and known.
The entire organizational performance can also be indirectly measured with the help of the
particular methodology. In the opinion of Oldham and Da Silva (2015, p.5), the interlinks
between the concealed information or data of the company can be brought into light with the
help of quantitative analysis and eventually help in making the organization cope of with the
advancement in digital technology. The new options and openings to the technology can be
explored and get updates about the surrounding market styles.
Ethical statement
The researcher has done the research based on the guidelines of the Data Protection Act 2010 as
the collected data from this research will be protected appropriately by maintaining the
confidentiality. Apart from that, the collected data will only be used for academic purpose but
not any commercial purpose. Apart from that, data collection process will not be manipulated or
the questions for the respondents will not contain anything that can hurt the emotions and beliefs
of the respondents.
Research philosophy
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There are three kind of research philosophies that are positivism, interpretivism and realism. The
positivism philosophy focuses on the practical truths and facts that is analysed on the scientific
manners. On the other hand, the interpretivism focuses on the interpretations of the people and
the realism is based on popular believes. In this research, the researcher will use the positivism
philosophy in order to use scientific process to collect the data and conduct the research.
Sample size and sampling technique
The total number of sample size for this research process is 35 whereas the respondents will be
selected randomly from the McDonalds employees. On the other hand, the researcher will use
simple random probability sampling for selecting the candidates randomly to avoid any kind of
partiality and biasedness. The respondents will be provided with close ended questionnaire with
options to select to obtain the knowledge for fulfilling the objectives.
Task 3
LO3 Presentation of project and communicate appropriate recommendation
P5 Analysis of tools and technique
The ongoing changes in the technology for the development of business are mainly possible with
the proper implementation of the tools and techniques which are used for gathering the positive
outcome of the research. McDonald's is required to have an idea regarding the market trends as
well as the new implementation of technology which has immense importance. In the opinion of
Audretsch and Belitski (2017, p.1035), there are various challenges at the time of constant
change of technology. If the organisation has coped with the organisation without any kind of
difficulty then it attains huge success for their business in the competitive market. There are
various tools and technique for the findings of the result.
Tools
The data those are gathered is needed to be analysed in a proper way so that it can provide the
exact result of the findings. In the data analysis, the organisation can simply take the help of
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quantitative and qualitative method. As per the view of Hirt and Willmott (2014, p.1), in the
quantitative method, the organisation can simply observe the employees those are facing
difficulty with the ongoing technological changes. The organisation with the help of survey can
simply found out the exact problem that is creating the problem for the employees to cope up
with other business organisation in the competitive market. In the case of McDonald's they with
the help of survey, they will be able to found out the problem that is faced by employees.
The survey is useful but on the other hand, the use of interview to the managers regarding the
new implementation of technology that is taken place in the organisation is also helpful. If the
new implementation of technology is known then it will be much easier for the employees to get
a proper training according to those techniques. In the view of Laforet (2013, p.500), the
managers will be helpful for providing the correct information regarding the ongoing
technological changes. McDonald's can take the help of interview for getting an idea for the
ongoing technological changes. There takes a lot of effort for the organisation to cope up with
the ongoing technological changes.
In order to cope up with the ongoing changes it is needed to have proper information from the
managers regarding their ongoing trends and from the employees the problem which is faced by
them. To resolve the problem, the interview will be helpful because if the manager tells what is
going on the trend then the employees will be trained on that basis.
Technique
There is a requirement of some appropriate technique for finding the result to overcome the
ongoing technologies challenges faced by the organisation. There are mainly two types of
technology which will be helpful for finding out the result. Those are as follows:
Close observation
The close observation of the technique is helpful for finding out the appropriate result for the
overcoming the technological challenges faced by the organisation. In the opinion of Loebbecke
and Picot (2015, p.150), the close observation is done mainly on the trends of technology that is
going on in the competitive market. In McDonald's they are trying to adjust to the ongoing
technological changes so, it is required to have a close observation of the technological trends.
Data Analysis
In this case of the research, the responses of the candidate will be drawn and converted in binary
or numeric digits to procure charts, graphs to represent the outcome in a better way for helping
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