Project Management Strategies for Tesco: Implementation Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of project management within an organizational context, focusing on the strategic implementation of digital technology, using Tesco as a case study. The report begins with a critical assessment of various project management tools and techniques, inclu...Read More

Managing projects in
the organisation

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
1. Critical assessment of usefulness of project management tools and techniques ....................3
2. Preparing the plan for implementation of project ..................................................................7
3.) Evaluating ability to manage project ..................................................................................13
Professional Development Plan................................................................................................16
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
Project management structure is very much important in order to ensure success. The
concept of project management in an organisation is completely based on the idea that there are
capabilities of firm as well as effectiveness of business. It is very much important for
management in an enterprise to form a team of skilled and talented workers for executing
project. An effective leadership is required for managing project in systematic manner. Project
management is important in order to ensure success and also to achieve desired objectives.
Misalignment of project team can have adverse effect on the result of the project (Byrne, 2013).
Organisational project management can be referred to as implementation of business plan or
strategies through projects by integrating the system of portfolio management. Project
management is crucial fort accomplishing desired strategic goals.
Project management in context of organisation includes determining the procedure which
are required to be executed in order to achieve desired objectives. It also includes determination
of resources, cost , time required for implementing the project. Manager in an enterprise should
communicate complete information about the project to stakeholders, this is very much crucial in
context of ensuring completion of task in systematic manner. Some standards related to project is
required to be set as this will support manager in measuring the results. This strategy will also
provide them an ease in managing the project in systematic manner.
The report have focus on identifying the usefulness of project management tools and
techniques. Basically project is implementation of digital technology within an enterprise. Study
will include a detailed plan for implementation of project for TESco organisation.
1. Critical assessment of usefulness of project management tools and techniques
Project management can be defined as application of different tools and techniques for
directing the utilisation of business resources in order to accomplish desired business objectiv
es. It is very much important for manager in Tesco to select the right tools or techniques
as this will help them in managing project in systematic manner. Selection of right techniques
will also support project manager in improving the overall performance as well as productivity.
Tool and techniques provide manager an ease in managing the project in systematic manner. It is
very much important for project manager in Tesco top have depth knowledge or understanding
about both project management tools and techniques.

Project management is considered to be as complex as well as challenging task. In
context of Tesco, project management tools can assist manager in achieving desired outcome. It
is required by project manager in Tesco to select project management toll which best suited their
management style. There are different project management tools these are :
Gantt chart : It is among one of the most commonly used and popular project management tool.
Gantt chart can be easily prepared by manager in Tesco by utilising computer software. This
project management tool is useful for identifying the start and finish time of various activities
during the project. Gantt chart is basically a graphical representation which shows start and
finish time of different tasks during the project. It is useful as well as helpful in tracking the
progress of project (Golini and Landoni, 2014). By utilising the Gantt chart number of days
actually required to complete a task that reaches a milestone can be compared with the planned
or estimated number. Gantt chart supports manager in addressing the failure points.
The major advantage of utilising the Gantt chart as a project management tool is that it
provides manager as well as other stakeholder an ease in developing understanding related to
visual display of the scheduled time of a task or activity. Another benefit is that Gantt chart also
help manager in controlling the project (Berssaneti and Carvalho, 2015). It also enables effective
communication and smooth flow of information which is very much crucial in order to manage
project in systematic manner. In addition to this, Gantt chart also represents the actual progress
against the planned schedule. This project management tool also enables manager to compare
multiple projects and helps them in determining risk. It also supports management in allocation
of resources.
One of the major disadvantage of Gantt chart is that the size of the bar does not indicate
the amount of work. It doest not support manager in determining the requirement of resources at
each and every phase of project. In addition to this, other disadvantage of Gantt chart is that it
requires continuous updating failure in doing so can lead to delay in completion of project. All
Tasks are not visible in a single view of a Gantt. Manager need to put extra efforts in order to
create and manage Gantt chart .
Logic network : This project management tool is useful for analysing the sequence of activities
which will be executed during the project. Logic network represents activity logically precedes
or follows another. This project management tool can be utilised by manager in Tesco for
identifying the milestone as well as critical path. As logic network will help project manager in

developing understanding about the dependencies in project, workflow and time scale. The
valuable information provided by logic network involves sequence of tasks, interrelationships
between different activities which are required to be executed during the project. For instance, in
context of Tesco, after the successful implementation of technology, manager in an enterprise is
required to provide training to employees, as this will help firm in accomplishing desired
objective which presently is to improve marketing activities in order to increase sales and
profitability.
One of the advantage of logic network as a project management tool is that it helps in
controlling he progresses of projects. It supports manager in planning as well as scheduling the
task which are required to be executed during the project. The manager in Tesco can use logic
network project management tool as it will assist them in managing the project in effective
manner. In addition to this, Logic network helps manager in identifying the activities which are
critical at different stages of project and enables them to take quick action. It will also support
management in making suitable decision related to the project (Brown, 2014 ). The another
major advantage of utilising logic network project management tool is that it assist in minimising
the total cost of project. In addition to this, It also assists in preventing the delay in project.
The major drawback of network as a project management tool is that accuracy is
completely dependent on the estimation of the data used in the network. In addition to this, other
disadvantage of logic network is that it requires regular up gradation.
For instance, In context of Tesco, Manager can utilise this logic network tool for
determining the duration of each task. They can also utilise this management tool for planning.
Product breakdown structure:It is recognised as hierarchical as well as exhaustive tree
structure which consists of different elements that helps in formulation of project deliverables.
Product breakdown structure supports manager in identifying things which are required to be
delivered by the project. It also assists manager in creation of work breakdown structure. Product
breakdown structure is considered to be as useful as well as helpful in managing the complex
business project.
The major advantage of product breakdown structure is that it helps project team in
developing clear understanding about the products, its components etc. Manager in Tesco can
utilise this management for providing knowledge as well as training to workers about the digital
technology before implementing the project. This management tool can be used by manager ion

Tesco for providing the visual presentation related to the project, as this will help employees in
identifying the objective. It will also support workers in determining their role in driving the
project towards achievement of set goals (Hermann and Pagé, 2016).
The major disadvantages of Product breakdown structure is that there are many tools
required to be align with Product breakdown structure for managing the project such as test
documentation, requirement specifications or safety certifications.
Work break down structure : it can be defined as hierarchical decomposition of the
deliverables which are required for completing the specific projects in systematic manner. Work
breakdown structure breaks the deliverables down into manageable work packages. It helps
manager in making the tasks easier to understand as well as executed. Manager can use this
management tool, as this will assist them in reducing the workload.
The biggest advantages of utilising work breakdown structure is that by using the work
breakdown structure project manager can track financial progress and performance of project.
Other advantage is that it supports manager in determining the abilities required for completing
the project. In context of implementation of digital technology in Tesco, Project manager in an
enterprise need to have technical knowledge and experience related to managing technical
projects.
Drawback of work break down structure as a management tool is that it does not show
the tasks in particular order. Other disadvantage is that work break down structure does not
represent any dependencies.
These are the few standards tools which can be utilised by project manager in Tesco
while making the project management plan.
There are different project management techniques these are agile, waterfall, prince 2
technique, scrum , critical chain methodology etc. In context of Tesco, as company planning to
implement digital technology at workplace, manager in an organisation can use waterfall and
agile project management technique (Ika and Donnelly, 2017).

Agile : It is among the most commonly used
and popular project management technique.
Agile technique utilises sprint approach using
which project manager in Tesco can break a
project in the form of cycles.
Waterfall : It is considered to be as simple as
well as traditional project management
technique. Waterfall technique can be utilised
by manager in Tesco, as this will assist them in
development of an effective plan.
Advantages: The major advantage is that, by
utilising Agile project management technique
the different task in project can be proceed
quickly. Other advantage is that, agile
technique enables firm to provide an
appropriate response to changes. This
methodology is basically used for
development of software.
This technique is best suited for managing
smaller projects.
Disadvantage : Disadvantage of agile
technique is that Project easily falls off track.
Less predictability is considered to be as other
drawback of this technique.
The drawback of waterfall technique is that
there is no further scope of changes in plan. In
addition to this, employees are required to be
provided with more training which can lead to
increase in cost of project.
2. Preparing the plan for implementation of project
Proper planning is very much important in order to implement project in systematic
manner. An effective project management planning supports project manager in identifying the
barriers which might occur in execution of the specific project. It also supports project manager
in formulation of an effective strategy for eliminating hurdles as well as reducing the risk which
is associated with execution of specific project. An effect project management planning helps in
ensuring effective as well as efficient utilisation of business resources. It also aids in elimination
or prevention of overlapping of activities during the project (Nanthagopan, Williams and Page,
2016).
The decision related to the selection of specific problem is completely based on nature of
problem which is faced by an enterprise. In context of Tesco, business entity is facing issue

related to continuous decrease in the sales and profitability of an enterprise. Poor marketing
techniques or ineffective promotional strategy can be considered to as the root cause of the
issues. Therefore, Project manager in Tesco is planning to implement digital technology at
workplace. Decision related to employing the digital technology within an enterprise has been
taken by management in an organisation considering the continuous decline in sales and
profitability. Objective of implementation of digital technology within an enterprise is to bring
improvement in marketing activities and also for enhancing customers. Project management plan
of Tesco will serve as an agreement between the different parties such as steering committee,
project manager, sponsors, team. All these stakeholders will be get effected by the project.
The development as well as execution of project is a lengthy procedure which includes
mainly four key stages these are :
Initiating the project : The project has been stated with permission from the to[p level
management in Tesco. At the next stage, company has formed secured agreement with vendors.
An order related to instalment of digital technology has been given.
Business goals and objectives: Organisation goals of this project is to successfully implement
digital technology for bringing improvement bin marketing activities so that sales and
profitability can be increased (Njeri and Were, 2017). In addition to this, other purpose is to
improve coordination and information sharing both internal and external stakeholders.
Project goals :The goal which are to be accomplished by implementing the project is that
achieve business objectives within defined budget and time parameters.
Planning the Project : It is considered to be as important stage which includes the
following :
Defining the scope of the project : The project will be executed in order to implement digital
technology within Tesco. Project has limited scope, as considering the time as well as resource
limitation only few activities will be executed. The tasks will be facilitated involves 30
computers, Digital software, internet access . The activity which will not be executed involves up
gradation or replacement of computer hardware.
Determining the resources and arrangement of the same : Lots of resources such finance,
human resource, technology such as computer, internet is required for implementing digital
technology. In context of Tesco, some external investors has promised to make investment in the

project. More talented and skilled employees will be hired by business entity with support of
recruitment agency. In context of Tesco, Project funding sources are limited,
Creation of preliminary schedule : This phase includes preparing of schedule. At this phase
project manager will use Gantt chart and work breakdown structure for scheduling the task.
Manager will define the roles and responsibilities to all employees.
Roles and responsibilities of workers :
Roles Responsibilities Name of participants
Project
sponsors
 To make decision
 Provide direction, guidance or feedback
related to project
 Review as well as approve elements of
project.
James
Steering
committee
 To provide resources
 Provide funding
 They are mainly responsible for resolving
issues and conflicts during the project.
Smith and Samantha

 Steering committee is also accountable for
providing guidance and direction to project
manager.
Project
manager
 They are responsible for ensuring that all
the tasks are being performed according to
the plan.
 Responsibility of project manager is to
resolve all the issues related to project.
 Managing the budget is the responsibility
of project manager.
John and Sam
Project
participants
 Their responsibility is to review as well as
approve project deliverables.
 It is the duty of project participant to assist
in identifying as well as eliminating
barriers.
 Assurance of quality of work in order to
accomplish desired project as well as
business objectives.
They are to be identified as
well as selected by the
Steering committee.
Formulation of communication plan:
An Effective communication and smooth flow of information is very much important in
order to complete project in systematic manner. In context of Tesco, communication has been
planned for different audiences these are Project sponsor, manager, steering committee,
employees.
Communication methodology which will be used during the project for ensuring an
effective communication include :
Top down : Project manager or leader in Tesco need to speak with enthusiastic voice with
employees. In addition to this, they are required to share complete detail about the project with

team members. Project manager need to facilitate interaction with all members at different level
of organisation.
Bottom up: It is important for project leader or manager to inform about the changes which has
been done in the project plan. In context of Tesco. Steering Committee created the proposed
changes, resistance is likely to occur. But barriers such as employees resistance has been
eliminated as participants were consulted, before implementing change in plan.
Middle out: Continuous feedback, instruction as well as suggestion will be given by project
manager or leader to all participants , as this will assist in successful completion of project.
Communication Outreach : It includes List of communication events :
Monthly status reports : Project manager in Tesco will organise committee meeting with steering
committee in order to inform them about the status of the project. It is required by project
manager or leader in Tesco to send the status report to all ,members of steering committee prior
to the meeting, as participants in the meeting will get a chance to review the report in detail.
Meetings : Other meeting will be organised where all the issues faced by the workers related to
the project will be discussed in order to find an appropriate solution.
Identification and assessment of risks:The Project Manager in TEsco will convey revision and
recommended contingencies to the Steering Committee monthly, or more frequently depending
on the situation. Mitigation approach will be utilised by project manager in Tesco for dealing
with or managing risk. There are different types of risk which might arise during the
implementation of digital technology within TESCo these are :
Risk Level of risk Like hood of risk Strategy for dealing or
managing risk.
Narrow level of
knowledge about
digital technology by
user
Medium Likely Project manager will
provide education as
well as training to
employees.
Project scope creep Low Unlikely Scope will be clearly
defined by project

manager. Monthly
review in order to
detect Project scope
creep.
Unrealistic cost
estimation
Low : Budget has been
prepared with the
support of experts in
industry.
Unlikely Timely amendment
can be made
Absence of
commitment level
Low Unlikely Team members will be
provided with
continuous feedback
as well as suggestion.
Poor working
relationship between
team members
Medium Somewhat likely Communications Plan
Occurrence of natural
disaster
Low Unlikely risk
Preparation of budget : Budgeting is the technique which will be utilised by project manager in
Tesco for managing cash flow. It is considered to be as an effective technique for completing the
specific project with limited financial resources. Project manager in Tesco should develop Key
performance indicator for managing budget. As this strategy will assist management in
ascertaining the amount of financial resources which has been spent on particular project.
Developing the key performance indicator strategy will enable project manager to compare the
actual costy with budgeted and will assist them in analysing the difference. It will also support
management in ensuring an effective as well as efficient utilisation of financial resources.
Activities Amounts
Custom software development costs 500 k $
Salary of staff 800 per hour

Purchase of computers 20000 $
Salary of soft ware engineer 90000$
Total cost of implementing the digital technology is estimated around 250000 $
Execution of project :
Monitoring the progress of Project: Monitoring and reviewing the project at regular interval of
time is very much crucial in order to ensure that all the activities are executed according to the
plan. There are basically two methods which can be utilised by project manager in Tesco for
monitoring the project these are Quantitative and qualitative methods. Qualitative method
involves non numerical aspects of monitoring the project. This method involves organising
meeting at regular interval, reports, interviewing team members etc. Quantitative methods
include utilisation of numerical data for evaluating the project. In context of Tesco, project
manager can use Quantitative methods for evaluating the project (Qureshi and Kang, 2015).
Sales and annual report can be utilises for analysing the result of implementing the digital
technology within an enterprise.
Maintenance of project workbook :It is important for Project manager in Tesco to record all the
events related to the project in the workbook, as this will help them in making future plans for
execution of other projects.
Closure of the project : This is the final stage, where the project is successfully implemented.
3.) Evaluating ability to manage project
Giving to others and providing followers with feedback or suggestion is
considered to be as good habit as well as practice. As this strategy assist an individual in
identifying the loop holes. It also helps people in determining suitable ways for developing skills
and improving their performance in the project. Project manager in Tesco can take feedback or
suggestion from team members by using different techniques these are :
Feedback or suggestions from steering team : Meeting can be organised for knowing the
perception of members in steering committee related to the project .
Feedback or advice from peers : Formal and informal communication can be conducted for
knowing the view about the view of peer about the performance of an individual. This method
can be utilised by Project manager in Tesco for analysing their performance during the project.

Review of team members : Interview can be executed for knowing the view of team members
about the project as well as results.
Self assessment : It is considered to be as best practice which will assist project manager in
Identifying their own strength and weakness during the project. Swot analysis is the technique
which can be utilised by Project manager for analysing their own performance during the project.
TESCO, is working on bringing the Digitalization in U.K. The strengths of the project
manager are:-
 Good Judgement And Prioritization Ability:- It is the role of a project manager to get the
assigned task completed from the team members in an efficient manner. For this having
good judgemental skills is very important. I have good judgemental skills (Garofalo and
Waksman, 2016). They have the capability of identifying whether the task allotted to the
employees is going on the right track and as per the expectation of top management or
not.
 Effective And Efficient Communication Skills:- Communication plays an important role
in getting the assigned task accomplished in a timely manner. Doing communication in
an effective manner with the ground level employees is very important because it keeps
the project managers updated in the respect of work done in or at what level the
employees have reached (Davis, 2014). It also helps the project managers in respect of
getting a particular task to be completed in a particular time frame. I as a project
managers of TESCO, are taking training with respect of tailoring their message and the
agendas as per the understanding of the staff members and the stakeholders (Berssaneti
and Carvalho, 2015).
 Ability To Strategize:- The project manager should have the knowledge of making an
effective strategy in order to achieve a desired target. The strategies should be framed in
such a manner, that, a benchmark should be set before the competitors in the industry in
respect of target and quality of work done by the staff members in the organisation. I
have suggested such strategies that have proved to be helpful for the staff members and
the stakeholders in the achievement of a desired goal in the industry. They are able to
grab more and more customers in the market by offering them such products/services
that are meeting their needs (Ramazani and Jergeas, 2015).

 Time Management Skills:- The projects managers are taking training as well as giving
training to their staff members in the respect of completing the assigned target in a given
time frame. By the score of completing the assigned task in a given timeline the project
managers of TESCO are giving their best in meeting the needs of customers in the
industry. Time management plays a key role in the success of the members of the
organisation. Reason being, if the members of the organisation will not work on the
completion of the assigned tasks, or serving the needs of the customers, then, the
organisation may lose its grip and will have to move out of the competitive market
(Garofalo and Waksman, 2016).
Weakness of the project managers are as follows:-
 Focusing On The Solutions:- I have focus more and more on the solutions rather than on
the problems. In TESCO, an online platform of groceries, the focus is laid on the solution
of a specific problem. It's altogether a different matter that, in fulfilling the needs and
demands of the consumers, the deadlines of the project are missed and the result is,
clients or the customer went to someone else for the getting their work done (Berssaneti
and Carvalho, 2015).
 Not Communicate On Encountering The Problems:- I have not facilitated the discussion
about every issue that has been resolved in the organisation. Most of the people that are
suffering from the problem are just unaware in the respect of, type of issues that are being
faced by them. Now, due to all this, the staff members of the TESCO have just become
silent and are not speaking anything among themselves and are just uttering. They just
don't share anything with their peer members or the subordinates and this creates issues
in the organisation (Marcelino-Sádaba and et.al., 2014). In other words, I have ignored
some problems which I perceive that has negative effect on performance of project.
 Relying On The Environmental Knowledge:- I rely heavily on the environment that is
prevailing in the business. They just don't bother in respect of whether the environmental
factors are affecting the organisation or not. The project managers of the TESCO are least
bothersome in respect of whether the environment factors are having any adverse effect
or not. They just falsely rely on the knowledge on environment, that is being served to
them (Berssaneti and Carvalho, 2015).

 Interpersonal Skills:- Here, as project managers of TESCO I perceive that I nned to
develop interpersonal skills. Here, they are lacking by being too much sensitive;
expecting a lot from the co - workers or the staff members; and lastly expressing the
complete frustration on the staff members or the colleagues for their underperformance
(Davis, 2014).
 Work Ethic:- Here, as a project managers I don't have focus on the ethics that are
required to be practised at the workplace. By focusing least on the ethical values that are
to be practised at the workplace, I perceive that I am showing their insincerity towards
the work they have been assigned. They take too much responsibility; work for long
hours.
 Risk Management:- Unable to take risks at the workplace, by the score of the projects
manager are having a fear in managing the cost and schedule in applying a project and
hence, it affects their performance (Marcelino-Sádaba and et.al., 2014).
Professional Development Plan
Skills To Develop Activities Evidence Time Duration
Work Ethic 1.) Learning from
other managers.
2.) By reading the
books of scholars.
Taking the feedback
from the peer group
members; family
members and others.
30 Days.
Interpersonal Skills 1.) Cultivating positive
outlook.
2.)Controlling the
emotions.
3.) Practising active
listening.
Taking its feedback
from the co-workers
and from the team
leaders.
60 Days.
Data And
Interpretation Skills
1.) By getting
familiarize with the
situation and then
Taking the feedback
from the team leader.
Keeping an eye on the
60 Days.

making efforts for
solving it.
2.) By taking help
from the internet.
3.) Watching videos of
experts and reading
books of scholars.
manager whether he is
able to resolve the
problems or not.
Risk Management 1.) By being positive.
2.) Estimating and
prioritizing the risk.
From the superiors
about the performance
of project manager.
30 days.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the report that managing the project is very critical as well as
complex task which is to be done in systematic manner, as it can have negative effect on
outcome. Assignment has concluded that an effective communication and smooth flow of
information is very much necessary for completion of project in systematic manner. It has also
been concluded from the study that Project manager have experience , knowledge about specific
field and skills such as good communication, high decision making power , management abilities
etc. Experience, knowledge and specialised skills provides project manager an ease in managing
the projects. It has been concluded from the study that budgeting is an appropriate technique
which can be utilised for managing the cash flow during the project.
Project manager in an organisation is provided with a suggestion to develop the
understanding about tools and techniques of project management. As this strategy will assist
manager in managing the different tasks in effective manner.

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ONLINE :
Dinesh.T ,Methods for Monitoring a Project, 2018. [Online].Available through :
<http://ecomputernotes.com/software-engineering/what-are-the-different-methods-used-
for-monitoring-a-project>.