Project Report: Implementing Cloud Technology in Business Operations

This report focuses on managing a successful business project involving the implementation of cloud technology for Pacific Computers Limited, an IT solutions provider. The report begins with an introduction to project management and the benefits of cloud technology in overcoming digital disruption challenges. Task 1 outlines the project's aims and objectives, emphasizing the importance of cloud computing, identifying factors for coping with digital disruption, and analyzing technological advancement challenges. It includes a project management plan that covers scope, cost, quality, time, and communication aspects, alongside a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to frame the project schedule. Task 2 details the research methodologies employed, including both qualitative and quantitative approaches, with a questionnaire used to gather data from respondents. Task 3 examines the research information, analyzes the data, and provides recommendations. Finally, Task 4 reflects on the value of the research in meeting the stated objectives and the author's learning experience. The report concludes with references to the sources used.

Managing a Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Aims and objectives of project.............................................................................................1
P2. Project management plan which covers aspects of time, cost, quality and communication.2
P3. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to frame schedule and stages for completion. .4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P4. Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.......5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5. Examine of research information with appropriate techniques and tools.............................8
P6 Recommendations as a result of research and data analysis to draw conclusions...............15
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................15
P7 Reflect value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own learning.......15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
A project refers to an endeavour which is used to accomplish a specific objective through
proper set of interrelated activities and utilisation of resources. In context with digital
technology, it has completely revolutionised the way of conducting a business by transforming
operational activities into digitalisation (Basu, 2014). The present report is going to made a
research project to ascertain whether implementation of cloud technology in business gives
support to win competitive advantage or not. For this purpose, Pacific Computers Limited is
taken which deals in small sector of UK and offers IT based solution to Retail, Businesses and
Public sector companies. This assignment includes aims and objectives, a project management
plan with WBS and Gantt Chart method, to provide time frame to each activity related to
implementation of technology. Some research methods for collecting data with interpretation and
lastly recommendation is also given in further part.
TASK 1
P1. Aims and objectives of project
Today, business organisation has become more dynamic due to rapid change in
environment. Therefore, it is necessary for companies to implement digital technology at their
business system. It will provide various opportunities and advantages to conduct operational
activities in systematic and efficient manner. With respect to Pacific Computers Limited, it
helps other organisations in running business exactly as they want. Expert team of this company
give training to its clients for working with new equipments and technologies. Currently, it has
developed a software i.e. IT-integrated audio-video technology by which organisations can easily
assess a variety of multimedia information and share visible information (Harish and Kumar,
2014). If this firm implement digital technology in business then it will help in developing
existing products and making them more profitable.
Topic: How organisations have overcome with major challenges of digital disruption and
transformation
Background of research
Companies whether deal in small or large sector, need digital system for storage and
process information of business. Digitalisation provides various technologies for organisations to
conduct their business operations more better. For example- Cloud Technology, it helps
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enterprises in reducing IT costs used for upgrading existing systems. It also prevent companies
from software piracy and improve efficiencies. As Pacific Computers Limited deal with large
amount of data so, if it use cloud computing techniques then this will reduce risk of data-loss,
save and assess multiple files simultaneously. Along with this, expert team and other staff of this
company can become more flexible in their work by using cloud technology.
Research Aim – To determine the impact of cloud technology in overcoming major
challenges of digital Disruption
Research objectives –
 To determine the importance of Cloud Computing
 To identify factors which help in coping up with digital disruption
 To analyse the major challenges of technological advancement
Research questions -
Q1. What is the importance of Cloud Computing for business organisations?
Q2. What are the factors that help in coping up with digital disruption?
Q3. How to analyse the major challenges of technological advancement?
P2. Project management plan which covers aspects of time, cost, quality and communication
A project management plan (PMP) refers to a document which defines how a project
will be executed, monitored and controlled. It defines entire activities, requirement of cost and
time period in which a project can be executed in systematic manner. Therefore, all these process
help researchers in managing a project successfully (Hwang and Ng, 2013). As per consideration
with Pacific Computers Limited, which provides IT solutions and training to implement new
software at workplace to business clients. So, to expand business market in large area of UK and
move operations on next level, it is required to implement digital technologies in business. It will
accelerate its level of penetration for personal and business use among customers.
With usage of Cloud Computing Technology, employers of this firm can protect as well
as save data and system from adverse affect of power failure, natural disaster, piracy and
corruption. This technology also aid its staff members in easy access the data on any time.
Moreover, it helps in minimising downtime and loss of productivity which improves efficiency
of business as well. In this regard, a project management plan which covers time, scope of work,
time schedule, quality and more, for implementation of cloud technology in Pacific Computers
Limited is discussed as below:-
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Scope of projects: It is the main part of a project plan which defines areas for future
growth. As per present project, the main focus is on importance of cloud technology for small
companies and how it helps them in coping up with digital disruption. Therefore, introducing this
technology in business, Pacific Computers Limited can save data of large customers in sequential
and confidential manner (Verzuh, 2015). Along with this, it also decrease production cost and
increase the value of work by enhancing productivity of workers. Through this process, Pacific
Ltd. can give accurate solution to its clients by accessing their data in quick manner.
Cost: Without proper amount of finance, researchers cannot execute a project. Therefore,
this aspect of PMP is also hold its importance. In this regard, for integrating cloud technology in
existing infrastructure, Pacific Computers Ltd. required to invest near about 600 Pounds. Further
this cost will be distributed into three main installation process that are- virtual infrastructure
(250 Pounds), dynamic applications (150 Pounds) and flexible data processing centre (200
Pounds). Following these processes, will help in using this technology more appropriately for
long-run time.
Quality: As Pacific Computers Ltd. Runs its business on small business so, it is main
responsibility of managers to ensure quality of each software first before integrating into existing
technology. They must adopt effective and clear defined strategies for using and managing the
cloud. As outlined in above part, there are three main installation process under which first step
is to replace physical infrastructure with virtual one. So, this company is required to focus on
quality of new infrastructures before replacement.
Time: In order to integrate cloud technology into existing system, it is also necessary for
managers of Pacific Computers Ltd. to frame time period of all activities. For this process,
approximately 4 to 6 months will be required.
Communication: For completing all planned activities in given span of time, it is
necessary for managers of Pacific Computers Limited to establish a proper communication
system at workplace (Marston and et. al., 2011). As this firm already has developed IT-
integrated audio-video technology which is used for conveying message into visual manner. So,
using this technique, all members associated with project can share information with each other.
It helps in executing entire activities of project in proper manner and on time.
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P3. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to frame schedule and stages for completion
For installing cloud technology in business, project managers of Pacific Computers
Limited can use Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart methods. These techniques help in
executing activities of project in set period time. Along with this, it also helps them in
monitoring each and every activity so that deviations between time-period can be reduced.
Work breakdown structure: This technique lets managers of Pacific Computers
Limited in planning their work of project more systematically and efficiently. It breaks down
major activities of a project into smaller fragments as well as set time-frame and cost for each.
Moreover, WBS system is mainly used to track progress of each activity for perfect completion
(Sharon and Dori, 2015). Along with this, through WBS, Pacific Ltd. can assign roles and
responsibilities to each staff members so that project will be executed in desired manner.
Gantt chart: This is an another tool used by managers of Pacific Computers Limited to
show time taken by each activity in graphical form. This chart also known as visual
representation of a chart where entire planned activities of a project are displayed on chart. Thus,
this would help project makers in determining whether each and every activity is completed in
given span of time or not. In other words, Gantt Chart refers to an easy way for scheduling task
and track progress of a specific project against deadline. In this regard, a Gantt chart is given
below which represents major activities of present project for implementation of cloud
technology into existing system of business using.
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TASK 2
P4. Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
For collection and investigation of a project, a researcher can use various methodologies
like qualitative and quantitative. Both type of methods help in analysing perceptions of
customers who have provided their feedback on a certain topic. As per present case, for
obtaining quantitative research data, a questionnaire is prepared and circulated among a sample
of respondents for testing if cloud technology is beneficial for storing and accessing data for
small organisations. Further, information gathered is represented in quantitative manner by
converting data into chart and graphical form. It helps in making interpretation for further testing
and recommendation process (Smith, Gonin and Besharov, 2013). For these processes, data can
be gathered in a project by primary and secondary research as shown below:-
Methods to collect information:
Primary Research: This method is to conduct new research under which information is
gathered by formulating questionnaires and interviews. Further respondents are asked to fulfil
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these questions in order to get their feedback. It will allow project makers to interpret perceptions
of users to make conclusion of final result.
Secondary Research: This method is used to gather information which is already
available on internet, books and magazines. It can be found either in the form of summaries or
detailed manner by which researchers can analyse such data and conduct further investigation. It
has analysed that such type of published data is not so reliable as compared to primary data.
In context with Pacific Computers Limited, its project team has used primary research
method for testing the concept of cloud technology ( Ryan and Campbell, 2012). For this
investigation process, 50 respondents are taken to evaluate perceptions of them in following
manner:-
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name
Age
Email
Q1. Do you know the concept of cloud computing technology?
A. Yes
B. No.
Q2. What are the main benefits of using cloud computing technology for Pacific
Computers Limited?
A. Data back-up and storage of data
B. Powerful server capabilities
C. Cost effectiveness and time saving
D. Increment productivity
Q3. Which model of cloud computing will be beneficial for Pacific Computers Limited in
terms of reliability?
A. Hybrid Cloud
B. Private Cloud
C. Public Cloud
Q4. Do you agree with the statement that cloud technology can prevent business of Pacific
Computers Limited from piracy?
A. Agree
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B. Disagree
Q5. What are the main challenges for Pacific Computers Limited while implementing
cloud technology?
A. Cost
B. Service Provider Reliability
C. Data Privacy
D. Password Security
Q6. Does cloud technology help in resolving issue of security for Pacific Computers
Limited?
A. Yes
B. No
Q7. Do you think cloud technology help in recovering data, lost by disasters or power
failure?
A. Yes
B. No
Q8. Provide Recommendations through which firm can expand its business...
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TASK 3
P5. Examine of research information with appropriate techniques and tools
Theme 1: Know about concept of Cloud Computing
Q1. Do you know the concept of cloud computing
technology
Respondents
A. Yes 42
B. No. 8
Interpretation: As cloud technology is not a new concept, much people and business
organisations are familiar with this term. Therefore, by survey on 50 respondents, it has
interpreted that 42 of them are know this concept very well. While 8 of them are not aware much
about cloud technology.
8
A. Yes B. No.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Column B

Theme 2: Benefits of using cloud computing technology for Pacific Computers Limited
Q2. What are the main benefits of using cloud
computing technology for Pacific Computers Limited?
Respondents
A. Data back-up and storage of data 14
B. Powerful server capabilities 7
C. Cost effectiveness and time saving 9
D. Increment productivity 20
Interpretation: Cloud technology provides various opportunities to companies like saving data
from loss, increasing productivity and more. As per this, it has evaluated that 20 respondents out
of 50 give respond to increment productivity. While 14 users give support to data back-up and 9
to cost effectiveness. Apart from this, last 7 are in favour with powerful server capabilities.
9
A. Data back-up and storage of data
B. Powerful server capabilities
C. Cost effectiveness and time saving
D. Increment productivity
0
4
8
12
16
20
Column B