Project Management: Product Launching in a New Country, Report

This report provides a comprehensive project management plan for launching an accounting software system in Australia by the Sage Group. It outlines project aims, objectives, and a detailed project management plan addressing cost, scope, quality, communication, risk, and resources. The report includes a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and a Gantt chart with a timeframe. It also incorporates a small-scale secondary data analysis, focusing on the current market conditions in Australia and the competitive landscape. The research involves a literature review and interview questions to gather both qualitative and quantitative data. The report also provides recommendations for the project scenario, including risk mitigation strategies and resource allocation. The document concludes with a reflection, project logbook, and references, providing a complete overview of the project's planning and execution.

Running head: PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project Management: Product Launching in a new country
Name of the student:
Name of the university:

1PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Table of Contents
Overview............................................................................................................................3
1. Establishing project aim and objectives (P1).................................................................3
1.1Producing an appropriate project management plan (P2,M1,D1)............................4
1.1.1 Cost (P2,M1,D1)................................................................................................4
1.1.2 Scope (P2,M1,D1).............................................................................................4
1.1.3 Quality (P2,M1,D1)............................................................................................4
1.1.4 Communication plan (P2,M1,D1)......................................................................5
1.1.5 Risk (P2,M1,D1)................................................................................................5
1.1.6 Resources (P2,M1,D1)......................................................................................6
1.2 Work Breakdown Structure (P3, M1,D1)..............................................................6
1.2.1 Gantt chart with a timeframe (P3, M1,D1)........................................................7
2. Small scale research regarding the project scenario (P4, M2, D1).............................10
2.1 Literature review (P4, M2, D1)...............................................................................10
2.1.1 Overview..........................................................................................................10
2.1.2 Current condition of the company...................................................................10
2.1.3 Conclusion.......................................................................................................11
3. Analysis of the research and data analysis (P4, M2, D2)...........................................12
3.1 Primary research: Interview Question (P4, M2, D2)..............................................12
3.1.1 Qualitative and quantitative data (P4).............................................................12
3.2Tools and techniques used for conducting the research (P5, M2, D2)..................13
4. Recommendation for project scenario (P6, M3, D2)...................................................14
Reflection (P7, M4)..........................................................................................................15
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................16
Project logbook (g)...........................................................................................................16
References.......................................................................................................................18

2PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Overview
This report depicts the roles and benefits of using professional project
management practices while launching a new product in a completely separate country.
It is the responsibility of the project manager and company executives to conduct a
market research to check that whether the product is going to enhance the current
revenue structure and competitive advantages or not. The Company nominated for this
report is Sage Group (United Kingdom based) and the product is Accounting
Information system software which is to be launched in Australia, because Australia is
one of those countries that use accounting software products in almost each medium
and large sized companies.
In order to launch this new product a Gantt chart (schedule), key milestones,
cost, communication approach, quality and risks management plan are also elaborated
in this report along with a small scale secondary data analysis. Apart from this, for
avoiding any interruption to the project activities and to accomplish the project within
estimated time and budget a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is also elaborated in
this report. In order to analyze the current market environment of Australia before
launching the Accounting software system is another crucial thing to be considered. In
order to draw a meaningful conclusion a set of recommendation is also elaborated in
this report section.
1. Establishing project aim and objectives (P1)
Project aim (P1)
The aim of the project is to launch an accounting software system in Australia to
gain competitive advantages and enhanced commercial revenue. Before launching the
new product to a completely new location the current security market condition of
Australia needs to be analyzed accordingly. The budget and time respectively estimated
for the project is $60,000 and 18 months. The other aim is to devise the project plan in
such a way so that it can compete the current business market of Australia.

3PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Project objectives (P1)
 To launch a new Accounting software solution in Australia after analyzing
the current market situation of Australia
 To accomplish the product launching project within the estimated budget
of $60,000 and time of 18 months
 To bring all operational and functional features together in the product to
attract more numbers of consumers
1.1Producing an appropriate project management plan (P2,M1,D1)
1.1.1 Cost (P2,M1,D1)
In order to launch the product in a completely separate country it is mandatory for
the project manager to organize an event where the eager consumers can come. The
attendees will also come to know about the features and operational qualities of the new
software products. What are the respective benefits a company can obtain after buying
and applying this product will also be discussed in this event. Overall, for launching the
products in another country the total cost that has been estimated is $60,000.
1.1.2 Scope (P2,M1,D1)
In order to accomplish this project or before launching the accounting software
product in Australia, Sage Group needs to analyze the current Australian market and
then should add required technical features to their newly developed system so that it
can improve the business efficiency. It is expected that with the success of the project
the large and medium organizations of Australia will be able to manage their
accounting, operational, payroll, payment and financial operations all at once. Sage
group provides cloud based solution to their consumers.
1.1.3 Quality (P2,M1,D1)
In order to improve the quality of the product that has been launched the project
manager is required to follow certain steps and the phases are follows:

4PROJECT MANAGEMENT
 The mission, vision, values and business strategies are needed to be
verified by the project manager
 The critical success factors should be identified
 In order to track the CSF data the project manager should develop
measures and metrics
 The consumer group must be identified initially
 Developing survey tool to survey the consumers and to gather feedback
from the solicit consumers
 Developing improvement planning to monitor the CSF much effectively
 Incorporating market plan to satisfy data
1.1.4 Communication plan (P2,M1,D1)
Purpose Responsible person Medium of
communication
Frequency
To discuss regarding
the project scope
Project manager Face to face meeting
and, presentation
Monthly
Project status report/
current status of the
project
Project manager and
sponsors
Face to face meeting
and, presentation
Weekly
To discuss regarding
the roles and
responsibility division
Project manager, HR
manager and resource
manager
Face to face meeting
and, presentation
Monthly
1.1.5 Risk (P2,M1,D1)
Name of the
risks
Likelihood Impact Probabilit
y
Mitigation strategy
Improper resource
allocation
Likely Major High Assign proper resources
for specific activities at the
initiation phase
Inaccurate budget
management
Likely Significant Extreme To estimate an accurate
feasibility study

5PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Improper
management of
time
Very likely Severe Extreme Developing proper time
plan and schedule for the
separate activities
Lack of
communication
Possible Medium Medium All the members must use
open communication
Lack of skills
among the project
team members
Very
unlikely
Minor Low Arranging professional
training and development
program for the project
team members to increase
technical awareness
among
1.1.6 Resources (P2,M1,D1)
Name of the
resources
Roles
Project manager Responsible to accomplish the project within estimated time and
budget
Finance
manager
The finance manager needs to accomplish a feasibility study to
ensure that the project is being completing within the estimated
budget
Operation
manager
Must make sure that the product operations are co
Security
manager
Make sure that security of the products are being well managed
Marketing
manager
Develop marketing strategies supporting the product launch event
HR manager To hire employees based on their skills and knowledge
1.2 Work Breakdown Structure (P3, M1,D1)

6PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Product launching
schedule
Product development
Identification of the
requirements
Planning the budget
Preparing goals and
objectives
Team meetings and
review
Approval from the
stakeholders
Identification of
sources for article
review
Preparing the
literature review
Deteriming the
primary and
secondary data
sources
Gathering of data
Conducting
interview
Acquisition of
feedback
Product launch
Arranging sponsors
Making necessary
arrangements
Hosting launch
event
Post implementation
review
Documentation of
lessons learnt
Sign-off from
stakeholders
Figure1: Work Breakdown Structure for the new product launching project
(Source: created by author)
1.2.1 Gantt chart with a timeframe (P3, M1,D1)
WB
S Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors Resource
Names Cost
0
Product
launching
schedule
275
days
Mon
1/21/19
Fri
2/7/20 $320,080.00
1 Product
development 44 days Mon
1/21/19
Thu
3/21/19 $14,120.00

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1.1 Identification of
the
requirements
3 days Mon
1/21/19
Wed
1/23/19
Operations
manager,
Project
Manager
$1,560.00
1.2 Planning
the budget 4 days Thu
1/24/19
Tue
1/29/19 2
Finance
manager,
Project
Manager
$2,240.00
1.3
Preparing
goals and
objectives
10 days Wed
1/30/19
Tue
2/12/19 3 Project
Manager $2,400.00
1.4
Team
meetings and
review
1 day Wed
2/13/19
Wed
2/13/19 4
Finance
manager,
Operations
manager,
Project
Manager
$840.00
1.5
Approval
from the
stakeholders
1 day Thu
2/14/19
Thu
2/14/19 5 Project
Manager $240.00
1.6 Identification of
sources for
article review
7 days Fri
2/15/19
Mon
2/25/19 6 Project
Manager $1,680.00
1.7
Preparing
the literature
review
5 days Tue
2/26/19
Mon
3/4/19 7 Project
Manager $1,200.00
1.8
Determining
the primary
and secondary
data sources
4 days Tue
3/5/19
Fri
3/8/19 8 Project
Manager $960.00
1.9 Gathering
of data 3 days Mon
3/11/19
Wed
3/13/19 9
Operations
manager,
Project
Manager
$1,560.00
1.10 Conducting
interview 4 days Thu
3/14/19
Tue
3/19/19 10 Project
Manager $960.00
1.11 Acquisition
of feedback 2 days Wed
3/20/19
Thu
3/21/19 11 Project
Manager $480.00
2 Product
launch
231
days
Fri
3/22/19
Fri
2/7/20 $305,960.00
2.1 Arranging
sponsors
5 days Fri
3/22/19
Thu
3/28/19
12 Finance
manager,
HR
$4,000.00

8PROJECT MANAGEMENT
manager,
Project
Manager
2.2
Making
necessary
arrangements
165 days Fri
3/29/19
Thu
11/14/19 14
Finance
manager,
HR
manager,
Marketing
manager,
Operations
manager,
Security
manager
$231,000.00
2.3 Hosting
launch event 50 days Fri
11/15/19
Thu
1/23/20 15
HR
manager,
Marketing
manager,
Operations
manager,
Project
Manager,
Security
manager
$66,000.00
2.4
Post
implementation
review
5 days Fri
1/24/20
Thu
1/30/20 16 Project
Manager $1,200.00
2.5 Documentation
of lessons
learnt
4 days Fri
1/31/20
Wed
2/5/20 17 Project
Manager $960.00
2.6
Sign-off
from
stakeholders
2 days Thu
2/6/20
Fri
2/7/20 18
Finance
manager,
HR
manager,
Marketing
manager,
Operations
manager,
Security
manager
$2,800.00

9PROJECT MANAGEMENT
2. Small scale research regarding the project scenario (P4, M2, D1)
2.1 Literature review (P4, M2, D1)
2.1.1 Overview
Before launching the accounting software product in Australia, the Australian
market needs to be analyzed by the project manager and the resource manager. Sage
Software Solution is one of the leading CRM, ERP and Human resource management
system providers. Currently the company offers their services to United Kingdom
however the marketing department of the company is interested to spread their services
and offers outside United Kingdom also (Cagliano, Grimaldi and Rafele 2015). The
country which is being recently targeted by Sage is Australia. The current business
management platform, accountants, sponsors and competitive market of company are
also highlighted with the secondary research. In order to gather secondary data many
recent journals, blogs, websites and articles are considered.
2.1.2 Current condition of the company
Sage Group Plc that is also known as Sage is a multinational British software
company which offers their services to almost all over United Kingdom. However, they
are eager to spread their business outside the country also. This company is the second
largest technology based companies in United Kingdom (UK). The public limited
company offers accounting software packages, CRM, ERP solution to the willing
consumes (Mir and Pinnington 2014). However, the company is interested to launch
only accounting system in Australia and not ERP and CRM.
XERO, Reckon, Saasu, MYOB are the biggest competitions to Sage being a new
entrant. The current revenue amount of the company is $1.7 Billion. The operating
income amount, net income amount and net asset of the company are respectively
$348 Million, $300 Billion and 3.22 billion.
The current cities where the country offers their services include USA, Germany,
Brazil, Spain, France etc. They do not server their offering in Australia there are many
companies which offers the similar services. However, the new accounting system is

10PROJECT MANAGEMENT
comprises of such advanced features which define that it can easily survive in the
Australian market and can also can give high competition to the similar organizations.
The features of the newly developed Accounting software system are as follows:
 The accounting system has the ability to make the invoice much simple
and complex free
 The invoice approach is mush simple from the operational perspectives
 The system is capable to provide real time information regarding the
business
 The decision making approach also become much easier from the
managerial perspectives
 The complexity of cost and old ERP applications also become easier
 It gives high rated growth to the business
 The users will be able to store huge amount of information in their system
server and keep them safe from external attackers.
 The three major features associated to the Accounting software system
include application resilience, disaster recovery and data backup
2.1.3 Conclusion
After analyzing the current condition of this United Kingdom based company
Sage Group it has been determined that with proper managerial and operational
activities the company will be able to launch their new products to Australia. The
company has also developed certain business strategies which are helpful to evaluate
the recent market condition of Australia and the ways through which the business
approaches can be successfully improved. Besides this it is also determined that the
management system Sage enterprise can make the business management of the
consumers companies much faster, simpler, interoperable, reliable, secure as well as
flexible.

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3. Analysis of the research and data analysis (P4, M2, D2)
3.1 Primary research: Interview Question (P4, M2, D2)
3.1.1 Qualitative and quantitative data (P4)
There is a vast difference between the qualitative and quantitative data. The
qualitative data is concerned regarding human behavior those are obtained from the
participant’s aspect. These data assumes negotiated reality as well as dynamics. In
order to collect the qualitative data for conducting this research work interview questions
are designed. These data are collected via interviews and observation of the
participants. This research methodology is completely exploratory, non statistical,
subjective and unstructured.
On the other hand, the quantitative data are concerned regarding discovery of
facts related to the social phenomena. As it helps to assume measurable and fixed
reality therefore, data are gathered by measuring different things. Though numerical
comparison and statistical inferences these data are analyzed. These data are
conclusive, statistical and well structured. However, in order to exploit the hidden facts
regard impact of globalization and its relationship with new product launch in separate
country both qualitative and quantitative data are used.
For this specific project also interview questions are being enlisted and the target
participants for whom the interview questions are prepared include: employees working
in Sage group, the members of the management board and some consumers to know
their expectation from the project.
Question1: What are the different features added to it that can uplift the quality
of the accounting software package?
This question is asked to the working employees who are associated to the
product development team.
Question 2: How the new accounting software package developed by your
company can compete the existing companies of Australia Xero and MYOB?