Project Management: Implementing Self-Checkout System at GT Smith

This project report details the implementation of a self-checkout system at GT Smith, focusing on the business case, project phases, and challenges. The project aims to reduce customer waiting times, minimize costs, and improve inventory management by implementing self-checkout machines using RFID technology. The report outlines key deliverables, including machine installation, staff training, and a marketing strategy. It also addresses challenges such as funding issues and technical problems, proposing solutions like outsourcing and expert consultation. The project timeline includes initiation, planning, analysis, execution, monitoring, and close-out phases, with specific durations for each. The report concludes with a project success assessment and a list of references. This assignment provides a comprehensive overview of the project management process from inception to completion.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Self-Checkout system in GT Smith

Business case
• Currently, in GT Smith, users have to stay in long queue to complete their
transactions which increase their waiting time.
• Thus, by advancement through self-checkout system, every customer will be able
to create bill of item and goods purchased and pay it.
• The development of self-service system by the use of RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification) will enable GT smith to rise its competitive success.

Self-Checkout system
• Self-checkout/self-service system in supermarkets is increasingly used by many
British supermarkets to reduce their costs and boost service efficiency.
• Customers frequently visit in the retail outlets and use self-service machines to
pay bills of their basket without wasting time.

Key benefits
• Reduce waiting time at the point of checkout
• Minimize wages costs
• Effective inventory management
• Maximize revenue
• Improve brand reputation

Key deliverables
• Installation of 2 self-checkout machines in Kottingley because, it is the largest
size supermarket of GT smith while one machinery will be placed at Meanwood,
Ackworth, Outwood, and Pontefract
• Trained staff base to teach patrons about machinery usage
• A well-structured marketing strategy to maximize patron awareness

Work breakdown structure

Critical challenges
• Lack of enough funds for execution due to sudden death of Bill
• Ineffective results of training
• Liberal monitoring over workers
• Delay supply of Self-checkout machine by contractors
• Poor technical functioning

Actions to overcome challenges
• Although sudden accident of Bill brought possibility of financial turbulence, but, through
outsourcing the experienced manager, project manager successfully overcome such
challenging situation.
• Moreover, in order to hire new financial manager, more staffing costs is required, still,
proficient knowledge and strict control over monetary usage helps to achieve project goals
successfully.
• IT expert has vast knowledge which helps to combat technical functioning issues and
errors in the system.

Contd.
• As specialist trainers were being hire help to train and educate all the people
excellently.
• Project progress report assessment helps in improving control over staff to assure
timely installation of the self-checkout machinery.
• In order to overcome possibility of delay supply, supplier has been contacted
before the due date of purchase to get deliveries on time.

Project success: Milestone achievment
Task Name Duration Start Finish
Self-checkout system in GT Smith 119 days 1/1/2018 6/14/2018
Business case/Initiation 6 days 1/1/2018 1/8/2018
Planning 15 days 1/8/2018 1/26/2018
Analysis 4 days 1/11/2018 1/16/2018
Execution 85 days 1/17/2018 5/15/2018
Monitoring and controlling 20 days 5/15/2018 6/11/2018
Close-out 3 days 6/12/2018 6/14/2018

REFERENCES
• McLaughlin, S. B. and Shriner, D. S., 2012. Allocation of resources to defense and repair. Plant
disease. 5. pp.407-431.
• Morris, S. and et.al, 2012. Method and system for allocation of resources in a project portfolio.
U.S. Patent 8,214,240.
• Petit, Y., 2012. Project portfolios in dynamic environments: Organizing for
uncertainty. International Journal of Project Management. 30(5). pp.539-553.

Thank You!