Project Management Plan: Launching Allure Soap in the UK Market (P&G)

This project management assignment focuses on developing a comprehensive plan for launching Proctor & Gamble's (P&G) new product, Allure Soap, in the UK market. The project begins with an introduction to project management principles and highlights the importance of systematic task execution. The assignment includes a detailed analysis of factors influencing project selection, such as financial, political, marketing, economic, and technological considerations, along with target market identification and feasibility studies. It outlines project specifications, covering cost estimations, timelines, resource requirements, ethical considerations, stakeholder analysis, and quality management strategies. The project also produces a project plan including a Gantt chart, resource allocation, and cost analysis. Finally, the assignment addresses the implementation strategy, including market research, competitor analysis, and the use of Prince2 methodology for successful product launch.

PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................2
TASK 1.................................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Factors that contribute to the process of project selection.........................................................2
1.2 Outline project specifications for the implementation of a launching of Allure Soap..............5
1.3 Produce specifications for an agreed project to implement launching of Allure Soap..............8
TASK 2...............................................................................................................................................10
2.1 Produce a project plan for an agreed project...........................................................................10
2.2 Match appropriate resources to a project.................................................................................11
2.3 Costing all resources required for implementing a project......................................................12
2.4 Timescale for the management and implementation of allure soap project............................14
Planning an appropriate strategy for the implementation of a project...........................................14
References..........................................................................................................................................16
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Project plan for launching allure soap..................................................................................10
Table 3: Required resources for allure soap launch project...............................................................12
Table 4: Costing of human resources.................................................................................................13
Table 5: Costing of technical resources..............................................................................................13
Table 6: Costing of other resources....................................................................................................13
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Gantt chart...........................................................................................................................11
Figure 2: Timescale for the management and implementation of project..........................................14
Figure 3: Prince2 methodology for launching project........................................................................15
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INTRODUCTION
Project management is a complex set of components which have be completed in systematic
way to create a product or service. Generally, projects are separate from business day to day
operations and focus on some particular objectives (Kerzner, 2013). Without using a scientific
method for managing the different tasks of action plan, it is very hard for the companies to
successfully execute the work within a given constrains. Project management is important because
of several reasons such as managing risk, quality, integration of different activities, managing
changes, resolving the conflicts etc. The following research is based on project management and to
understand its importance in the organization operations, launching of a new beauty product is
taking into the consideration (Burke, 2013). Name of this product is Premium Allure Soap and it is
a new product of Proctor and Gamble (P&G). The objectives that will cover under the present
study are project specification, plan for launching of new product, implementation of action plan
and evaluation of outcomes.
TASK 1
1.1 Factors that contribute to the process of project selection
As a Management Consultant in Nexus Ltd Company, there are different factors have
considered during selection of launching of Allure Soap of P&G.
Rational: The intention of a company behind launching of this product in UK is expanding
the business and taking competitive advantages (Larson and Gray, 2011). Along with this,
organization is getting appropriate opportunity to enhance its market so, for getting this opportunity
P&G organization has decided to launch allure soap into the market. Along with this, increment in
sales and profitability, targeting new customer segment are also considered as major reason behind
this project plan. For launching Allure soap organization will focus on development and
implementation of entire project plan in effective manner.
Aim and objectives:
Aim:
Major aim of this project is to launch Allure Perfume of P&G in UK market for expansion of
business at international level.
Objectives:
 To develop an appropriate project plan for launching Allure soap of P&G.
 To estimate the cost of project in launching allures soap.
 To determine the major benefits of this project for the organization.
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 To identify the major effectiveness of new product launch project on P&G.
 Market research: It is also one of the important functions before launching allure soap into the
market. It will help in analysing current market trends which will play important role in
developing new strategies for launching allure soap into UK market. For conducting market
research, management consultant can use different methods such as macro and micro
environmental analysis. These methods help in analyzing internal and external environment in
an effective manner. Market researcher helps in developing new strategies for attaining high
market share in the UK market.
 Competitor analysis: Analysis of the competitors has reflected that major competitors of P&G
include Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, etc. so, management
consultants needs to focus on competitor’s strategy which will help in launching allure soap into
market in effective manner. Each company will provide competition in product, price and
marketing.
In this context, the elements of project selection are as follows:
Financial factors: There are number of financial factors which need to be considered by
management consultants at the time of launching allure soap into the market. These factors include
payback period, return on investment, internal rate of return, profit and loss, cost of different
activities, etc. therefore, all these are also included into important factors which are considered by
project manager before selecting project of allure soap launching project. Return on investment is
one of the important factors which are relevant to the current project.
Political factor: Change in VAT rate, taxation policies, trade policies, support government
for business etc. are coming under political factor. In the case of launching of Allure Soap, these
elements have considered (Meredith and Mantel, 2011). For example, the minimum corporate taxes
by UK government have maximized the new innovation of P&G because company comes under the
higher marginal tax rates. It has paid low tax rates on new business operations. Therefore, political
factors help in selection of Allure Soap project of P&G. Marketing factor: Before launching of new Allure Soap in UK market, P&G has tom
determine the size of potential market share and customer's perception towards its existing
beauty soap line. Hence, probable market share and positive reviews of the service users are
also considering as a factor during project selection (Fleming and Koppelman, 2000). Along
with this, there are different marketing factors such as target audience, marketing budget,
potential market, needs and requirements of customers, competitor’s strategy, etc. All these
factors may influence the marketing activities of an organization. so, management
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consultant should focus on all these factors also at the time of selection of project.
 Economic factors: UK Government has promoted those projects which are good for
wellbeing of community. For such kind of projects, government has supported the business
in different manner and ways (Pinto, 2007). Along with this, the new innovation has strong
the economic conditions of country and develops new opportunities of job for other people.
In this context, the launching of new Allure Soap will increase the tax revenue of UK
government and its will improved economic condition of nation. Along with this, there are
some other major factors which can affect economic position of nation and purchasing
power of customers such as Recession, Exchange rates, Import / export, Govt. policies
(fiscal and monitory), Impact of inflation, Custom duties and Taxation. All these factors can
affect the total cost of each unit of product so, management consultant needs to focus on
these factors also.
 Technology factor: There are different tools and technologies available in the market which
effectively promote, advertised and launch a new product into the target market. In the case
of launching of Allure Soap, by using many types of digital marketing and promotional tools
will help in appropriate launching of Allure Soap in UK market (Turner, 2006). Latest
technology, technological investment and requirements of technical skills are the major
factors which need to be considered by project manager at the time of developing project
plan.
 Target market: P&G will use demographic segment for deciding appropriate target market
for allure soap. It is one of the premium products of P&G so, organization will target high
income customers for selling this product. This product will be launch by a systematic
process of product launching. It is an important factor because it can affect the marketing,
targeting and positioning strategy of the firm. Along with this, it can also affect the entire
marketing plan of the organization. So, management consultant needs to focus on target
market of P&G before selecting this project.
Human Resource: Availability and requirements of personnel is also important factor for
selecting project. Management consultants have skilled and experienced employees for completing
launching project of allure soap. Top, middle and lower level management needs to focus on this
project. For launching allure soap management consultants will require Sales assistant, In-store
launch manager, Advertiser, Media manager, Regional gate keepers for allure soap, Logistic
manager, Marketing manager and Project manager.
Feasibility study: As per the above discussion allure soap launching is a feasible project
because it will provide appropriate return on investment. Along with this, it will be feasible for
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fulfilling all the requirements of time, quality and specifications. So, P&G organization can launch
allure soap into the market it will help in attaining organizational objectives in effective manner.
1.2 Outline project specifications for the implementation of a launching of Allure Soap
Introduction:
Major aim of this project is to launch Allure Perfume of P&G in UK market for expansion of
business at international level. This project will be completed by Nexus limited and major
objectives and outline of this project is as follows:
 To develop an appropriate project plan for launching Allure soap of P&G.
 To estimate the cost of project in launching allures soap.
 To determine the major benefits of this project for the organization.
 To identify the major effectiveness of new product launch project on P&G.
 Cost: Nexus ltd needs to spend some specific amount of cost on different activities for
completing allure soap project of P&G. It includes technical, marketing and labour cost, etc.
According to the estimation this project will be completed in £45,000.
 Time scale: According to the estimation and planning this project will be completed in 4
months. It includes number of activities such as planning, designing, implementation and
execution, etc. Required resources: For launching allure soap in UK market Nexus ltd will require different
resources such as human, financial and technical resources. Human resource include Sales
assistant, in store launch manager, logistic manager and Marketing manager. Required
financial resources are Credit from market, retain earning and bank loan. Technology
resources comprises different digital and traditional marketing tools
 Ethics: At the time of completion of this project Nexus Limited needs to focus on different
ethical issues and considerations. These include communicate right information about Allure
soap to the customers, safety and security of service users, good packaging, ensure quality
of soap etc.
 Stakeholders: Each and every project is associated with some specific stakeholders. For the
current project major stakeholders are Owners of P&G, consumers, business partners,
distributors, suppliers, shareholders, government, employees etc.
 Findings from previous experience: From the study, it has been found that the existing
beauty soap of P&S is having good image in consumer mind and there sales is high as
compare to its competitors.
 Quality: for managing quality Nexus limited will focus on different techniques such as total
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quality management, six sigma and Lean methodology, etc. All these methods will help in
reducing wastages and defects. It will help in improving overall quality standards of the
organization.
 Research methodology: For developing a project plan for launching allure soap in UK
market, management consultant will use appropriate methods. These will help in developing
the project plan in more effective manner. Research mythology will be used by the
researcher for collecting facts and figures, for conducting the market research and for
analyzing competitors of the organization. Following methods will be applied by the
researcher for developing project plan for launching allure soap in the market:
o Data Collection: For collecting appropriate information about customers, market
trends and competitor’s management consultants can use different primary and
secondary methods of data collection. For example, survey methodology will be the
best for collecting primary information from customers. Regarding this, management
consultants will use questionnaire which will include open and close ended questions
regarding allure soap and other subjects that are relevant to the current project plan.
It will help in determining the needs and requirements of every customer. In contract,
by using secondary sources, management consultants can collect information about
competitors of the organization. These sources include website of the organization,
books, annual report of the firm, literature, blogs and data base of the organization,
etc. All these sources will help in getting important information about the past
performance of company which will help in developing future plan for the launch
project of allure soap.
 Monitoring method: There are different methods for monitoring the performance and
progress of a project. These methods include Gantt chart and work break down structure.
These methods are appropriate for monitoring and for having control over all the activities
of allure soap launch project. By using these methods, management consultant can improve
the overall performance of this project in an effective manner.
 Cost breakdown: Total required cost for this project is £45000 and management consultant
needs to break this cost in different resources such as human, technical and other sources.
Breakdown of these costs is described as under:
Human Resources Costing in £ Cumulative Cost in
£
Sales assistant 2000 2000
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In-store launch manager 2000 4000
Advertiser 1000 5000
Media manager 1000 6000
Regional gate keepers for allure soap 1000 7000
Logistic manager 5000 12000
Marketing manager 8000 20000
Project manager 10000 30000
Technological resources Cost
Computer system 5000 5000
Scanner and printer 2000 7000
Internet 2000 9000
Backup facilities and other machinery 1000 10000
Other resources Cost
Marketing materials 2000 2000
Distribution channels 2000 4000
Transportation 1000 5000
Total Estimated cost of the project 45000
Specifications Explanation
Project Objective To change the perception of customers regarding beauty soap and expand
the business in different areas of UK.
Cost £45, 000
Time scale 4 months
Required resources Human resources: Sales assistant, In store launch manager, logistic manager
and Marketing manager
Financial resources: Credit from market, retain earning and bank loan
Technology resources: Different digital and traditional marketing tools.
Ethics Communicate right information about Allure Soap to the customers, safety
and security of service users, good packaging, ensure quality of soap etc.
Stakeholders Owners of P&G, consumers, business partners, distributors, suppliers,
shareholders, government, employees etc.
Findings from
previous experience
From the study, it has been found that the existing beauty soap of P&S is
having good image in consumer mind and there sales is high as compare to
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its competitors.
Quality Total Quality management: For attaining all quality standards.
Six sigma analysis: For reducing total defects.
Lean Methodology: it will help in declining wastages.
1.3 Produce specifications for an agreed project to implement launching of Allure Soap
Project objective: The objective of launching of new Allure Soap in UK market is expand the
business in various areas of UK market and change the perception of end users for beauty soap.
Cost: The estimated cost of launching of Allure Soap project will be about to £45,000.
Time-scale The total estimated time for completing launching of Allure Soap in UK market
will be 4 months. The breakdown of this duration into the days with major milestones is showing in
below time scale table (Dym, Little Orwin and Spjut, 2004).
Activities In days
Initial planning 20
Pre launch strategy 20
Launching 20
Post launch 20
Required resources: At the time of development of launching plan for Allure Soap in UK
market, different types of resources will be require. In this context, human resources is most
important and these will be sales assistant, marketing manager, in store launch manager, logistic
manager and marketing manager. On the other hand, the technology resources: different digital and
traditional marketing tools for promotion, campaigning and advertisement of launching of Allure
Soap will be take into the consideration (Rand, 2000). Beside this, the financial resources will be
arrange by P&G from different sources such as taking short term loans from bank, credit from
market etc.
Ethics: At the time of developing the launching plan of Allure Soap, Nexus will be needed
to take some ethical consideration. First is to communicate the right information to customers about
the new product. Second will be shared some important information during use of soap (Akintoye,
2000). Third is the packaging of Allure Soap will be recyclable and make minimum impact on
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environment.
Shareholders: At the time of launching of new Allure Soap, P&S will consider expectations
and interest of all stakeholders and include them into different decision making process.
Findings from previous experience: As per the market research, it has been identified that
P&G other beauty soaps are having at good image in the marketplace. They are not containing any
kind of harmful chemical which affects wellbeing of the consumers. But, the marketing and
promotional strategies of the company are still weak and it is required to be improved (Yusuf
Gunasekaran and Abthorpe, 2004). It will help in effective launching of new Allure Soap in UK
market and increase sales volume with the time.
Human Resources Costing in £ Cumulative Cost in
£
Sales assistant 2000 2000
In-store launch manager 2000 4000
Advertiser 1000 5000
Media manager 1000 6000
Regional gate keepers for allure soap 1000 7000
Logistic manager 5000 12000
Marketing manager 8000 20000
Project manager 10000 30000
Technological resources Cost
Computer system 5000 5000
Scanner and printer 2000 7000
Internet 2000 9000
Backup facilities and other machinery 1000 10000
Other resources Cost
Marketing materials 2000 2000
Distribution channels 2000 4000
Transportation 1000 5000
Total Estimated cost of the project 45000
TASK 2
2.1 Produce a project plan for an agreed project
NPI (New Product Introduction) is one of the important methodologies of project
management which can be used by an organization at the time of introducing the product in new
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market. It is generally used by organizations for developing plans for any new project (PM
Methodologies, 2016). So, Nexus Ltd. can use NPI for launching allure soap in the UK market. As
per this methodology, project plan can be defined as a formal document which is designed to guide
the control and execution of allure soap project. Nexus limited has developed following plan for
launching allure soap in the market:
Table 1: Project plan for launching allure soap
Project plan
S. No. Activities Duration
0 Allure Soap launch project 80 days
1 Initial planning 20 days
1.1 Analysis of market and customer 10 days
1.2 Deciding launch objective 5 days
1.3 Develop a launch plan and strategy 5 days
2 Pre-launch strategy 20 days
2.1 Increasing awards of customer 5 days
2.2 Marketing and advertisement 5 days
2.3 Deciding deliverables 6 days
2.4 Informing roles and responsibilities to launch team 4 days
3 Launch 20 days
3.1 Grand opening 2 days
3.2 Launch event 5 days
3.3 Press Releases 4 days
3.4 Making necessary arrangements 10 days
3.5 Reviewing initial positive or negative reaction to the launch 8 days
4 Post-launch 20 days
4.1 Evaluation of the outcome 5 days
4.2 Monitor product launch performance 5 days
44.3 Feedback from customers, sales and channel partners 6 days
4.4 Ongoing plan for lead generation and awareness 4 days
Gantt chart for project plan:
It is one of important tool for presenting project plan for launching allure soap project in the
market. It includes main activities and duration which is required for completing every activity in
effective manner (Mitton and Donaldson, 2003). It helps in showing timescale for the entire project.
Gantt chart for the current project is as follows:
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