Detailed Report on Tesco's IT Project: Business Development Strategies

This report provides a detailed analysis of an IT project initiated by Tesco, a leading retail company, to enhance its business development and customer base. The project involves developing an online shopping application with features like assured delivery and movie subscriptions to attract customers. The report outlines Tesco's strategic plan, project objectives, scope, constraints, and the roles of the project management team. It further examines the current IT staffing skills, proposes a staffing policy plan, and evaluates the project's implementation, including IT audit and resource allocation. The project aims to provide a new shopping experience, increase sales, and gain a competitive advantage in the market. The report also discusses risk assessment, value analysis, and the overall approach to ensure the project's success.

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Management in IT

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INTRODUCTION
In today’s digitalization world, businesses are growing at rapid rate. The companies are
using advanced IT tools and equipment’s in order to expand their business in different markets.
with this they are able to develop high quality product and attract more people. Due to use of
advance technological applications and software business efficiency has enhanced. It has created
a platform to develop innovative products and provide services to people so that they can be
retained (Diamantoulakis, Kapinas and Karagiannidis, 2015). The technological advancement
has enforced companies to install their own IT infrastructure by developing various project. This
has brought revolution in retail sector. This report will discuss about IT project initiative taken
by company to increase sales and gain customer base. Moreover, it will give an insight on how
project is implemented and how needs are fulfilled. It will describe project is planned and
implemented.
For present report organization taken is Tesco. It belongs to retail sector and operates
worldwide.
a) Provide a summary of IT project
Project definition- A project was initiated by Tesco where they decided to develop an
application for customers to enable easy place for online shopping. It was not just a shopping
application but it also provided them assured delivery of items within 24 hours. This app will be
launched by Tesco for particular location for testing and then in other markets across
international boundaries. Besides this, the advantage of this app is that it will give a one-month
free subscription to buyers to watch or download movies. Then, customers can pay a fee to get
lifetime membership. For this Tesco will merge with companies that provide such type of
services. This will be beneficial for both as customers will be attracted towards it. The project
initiated by company is based on experiencing home based shopping and delivering.
Furthermore, the issues will be solved in different way. App will allow customer to track their
order and taking feedback so that needs are identified.
Background of Tesco- `Tesco is one of the world leading supermarket retail store. it majorly
operates in UK and other countries thus making them third largest retail company in the world.
They are having a wide variety of product portfolio that includes goods such as clothing, toys,
furniture, etc. besides this, company is also engaged in services such as financial, telecom and
internet. In recent times Tesco is investing a lot of funds in innovation in information
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technology. They launched a tablet named as Hudl in September 2013. Later in October they
launched an updated version of that tablet. the tablet can be used by customers for online
shopping as well to view movies and other digital content related to Tesco (López and
et.al.,2015). Moreover, it provided an ease to people in shopping anywhere, anytime. This
provided them a multiple customer experience in shopping. But the Hudl lead to huge loss and
due to this Tesco have to close production of tablet. Company have to initiate another project so
that the needs can be fulfilled.
Thus, it can be said that this project will be useful for Tesco in developing a loyal
customer base. By this company can create a distinct image in the market and compete with
competitors. Furthermore, sales will rise leading to generating more revenues.
For this Tesco requires an advance and high quality IT infrastructure so that app can be
developed (Thi, Kumar and Lin, 2015). Also, a strong database and networking system is needed
to store large amount of data of customers and variety of products. By this it will be easy to
provide various service to people. Moreover, in order to provide online movies applications and
software are required.
b) TESCO’s strategic plan and objectives.
Tesco strategic plan is to develop a strong and loyal customer base so that they are able to
compete in the market for long term. Apart from this, Tesco want to retain their customers so
that more sales can be generated. The objective of Tesco is to gain competitive advantage in the
market. Along with this, company want to provide a distinct experience to customers while
shopping (Tan and et.al., 2015). So, they can expand in countries where they are not operating.
With this project Tesco can attain these objectives.
c) Aim and objectives of project
Every project is developed with some aim and objectives. This is because it shows what
benefit will be there due to implementation of project. Moreover, it is also developed so that it
can be evaluated with end results and success of launch (Maharjan and et.al., 2016). By this it
becomes easy to identify whether aim and objectives are achieved or not and areas where project
is lacking. Thus, in context to above project the aim and objectives are as follows: -
Aim
“To provide a new shopping experience to customers and providing delivery within 24 hours: A
initiative by Tesco”.
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Project Objectives
 To provide ease in shopping anytime, anywhere.
 To solve customer queries effectively and efficiently.
 To ensure that customers are satisfied and retained.
Desired outcome- Project will give a new shopping experience to customers. This will enable in
providing brief details about products online. This initiative will help the firm in gaining loyal
and trust worthy buyers across the international boundaries. Moreover, it will help in increasing
sales and profits of Tesco.
Project scope and exclusion- This project will help in giving a simple and better way for
customers to do shopping. It will help Tesco in increasing their satisfaction and retaining them.
Constraints and assumptions- Implementation of this project will encourage Tesco to provide
delivery of goods within 24 hours. So, it will be difficult for company to handle supply chain if a
lot of orders are received in day.
The users – They are people who will use app. Users will be customers, employees and
managers that is key stakeholders of Tesco. Apart from this, any other person who want to use
the app can install and operate it.
Interfaces- here, there will be many activities planned and developed. It will start from inititial
to completion of project.
Project approach – in this agile project approach will be followed. This is used so that changes
and flexibility can be done in project as per requirements.
Business case-
o Problem- The app is developed to expand Tesco in E commerce and providing ease in
shopping to customers
o Solution- goods and services can be provided by applying new concept.
o Approach- for this an app is developed that will give new experience of shopping to
customers.
o Risk assessment- The customers may feel comfortable to go to store and shop.
o Value analysis- It will benefit company in attracting more customers and generating
sales and profits.
Project management team structure – there will be a team hired for this project. it will include
number of people who will perform different roles.
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Role
IT manager- this person will be head of overall project. he or she will develop and execute
strategies and assigns roles and responsibilities of others.
Software developers- this person will develop algorithms through programming language. They
will run algorithms to develop app. Candidates will develop user interface of app.
Testing team- this team will test software and applications before installation.
Installation team – they will be responsible for creating a network. they will install software and
hardware by connecting systems with each other.
Marketing team – the will promote and advertise app on different website.
SECTION 2
a) Current IT staffing skills
The responsibility of IT department is to ensure that tools and equipment’s in
infrastructure is properly updated so that project can be executed. Also, the employees must
possess effective and innovative skills and knowledge to handle IT functions and alterations.
Therefore, it is necessary to identify what additional resources in project is required. This
information can be gained by conducting IT audit. Through this, applications and software that
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are required are determined (Tseng and Liao, 2015). Moreover, it enables in analysing the
current skills and knowledge that employees possess and how it can be improved by providing
training to them. The IT department of Tesco can gather and data and information by using the
procedure that is described below: -
o A meeting can be conducted for management. In this information can be given about new
project which is going to be implemented. Then, HR departments should analyse all
current employees’ skills and abilities.
o IT expert and HR will do evaluate the skills and qualities of existing employees working
in Tesco by collecting information from database. Another step that can be taken is
employees’ interview are taken to identify their qualification.
o The, project manager should note down what qualities are required in order to perform
task and activities in project. this will enable in giving an idea about staffing
requirements.
o Project manager and HR should discuss about those staffing policies. Here, HR is
responsible to develop a plan on how to hire employees.
o Developing a questionnaire and collecting information through it is done. Through this,
systems and software installed in different areas can be identified. With the help of this,
IT audit will be done which supports in generating a temporary plan of project. This will
assist in deriving needs of changes and requirement of organising training to boost skills
of IT staff.
Thus, it can be concluded that IT audit will provide an overview of requirements that is
needed in project. In addition to this, employee’s skills and abilities will be determined and
project manager will be able to hire efficient people. Along with this, IT tools, configuration, etc.
will be accessed (Schaltegger, Burritt and Petersen, 2017). Alongside this, it will support in
creating an estimate of budget which is required in project.
b) Staffing policy plan for the IT department
It is very important for organisation to develop a proper staffing policy plan to hire right
employees and to plan development of IT staffing. So, this plan given a thorough overview of
HR planning which will be implemented by organisation. with the help of this goals and
objectives are achieved. Moreover, a systematic process is followed and organisational culture is
maintained. Besides this, it becomes easy to develop policies and rules that will be included in
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plan. Furthermore, staffing plan also helps in implementation of project in given time frame. The
managers and employees are bound to follow these policies.
Tesco requires to develop an effective staffing plan in order to implement project. The
plan provides a blueprint of how employees will be hired and trained. This will also help in
providing assistance to organise training and development programs. Through this, it is easy for
Tesco to fulfil their needs and attaining goals and objectives. In plan skills, qualifications, etc are
identified along with departments (Roztocki and Weistroffer, 2015). It is understood easily by
project manager that how policy will be applied. The areas are also identified where policy has to
be implement. the staffing policy plan is described below: -
Objective Action Who is
responsible
When action is
taken
Monitoring
To implement
and install new
IT tools and
equipment’s
By identifying
current tools and
resources
required
IT Before starting of
project
implementation
IT expert
To hire new
employees in IT
department
Developing a
recruitment plan
with the help of
IT expertise
HR With execution
of project
HR and IT
To ensure
equality and
ethics are
followed while
hiring and
working on new
plan
Developing
policies like,
confidentiality,
data protection,
etc.
HR After hiring of
employees
HR
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SECTION 3
a) Evaluate the different staffing approaches
There are various staffing approaches that is followed by different organisation according
to their requirements. It is necessary to select one particular approach so that right employees are
selected. Besides this, company gets an insight whether project should be implemented globally
or not. Staffing approach provides a base through which project is implemented.
Geocentric- As name suggests this approach allows management to hire qualified people as they
are best option available. The people are hired at global level and called as third party nations.
Regiocentric – This process is also known as polycentric approach. Here, people are hired for
specific region in different countries (Ptak and Schragenheim, 2016).
Ethnocentric – It is an approach parent company emphasis on practices from home country. In
this managers are called as (PCN). Generally, Japanese and Korean companies follows this type
of approach.
Polycentric – This approach is followed by European companies where top management of
parent company are appointed as HCN. Basically, retail organisation applies this as they operate
in different countries.
Hence, with the help of these approaches Tesco will be focusing on its staffing for IT
initiative. This helps managers in taking effective decisions. They are able to analyse what level
of skills is required in employees. It is the responsibility of IT manager and HR department to
monitor whether approach is followed or not.
b) Explain your preferred approach to staffing
In current project Tesco will use geocentric approach. This is because it will make it easy
for manager to analyse staffing requirements so that right people can be hired for project.
Moreover, it is a less costly process and enables manager to determine goals and objectives.
Also, Tesco operates in different countries so hiring local people in top management will enable
in execution of project. Approaching candidates from different nations will help Tesco in diverse
staffing in accordance with IT initiative. This approach also supports in organising training
programs and following of norms and practices. Moreover, it is beneficial in long term growth of
Tesco. The cost required is also low and requires less time to initiate it.
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c) Consider the ethical impact
Ethical impact means that what problems or issues organisation can face at the time of
selection with help of geocentric approach. Due to geocentric approach top management has
have to make changes in entire staffing policies and procedures in accordance with every country
(Alharbi and Drew, 2014). It will enforce them to create new policy and rules for local markets.
It will bound them to follow those policies while implementation of project. employees hired at
top management in different countries has to ensure that values and ethics are followed along
with Tesco staffing approach. The advantage of using will be that it will help in hiring of
qualified candidates in those local areas in top management. Through this, people hired can be
managed in multiple organisational culture. Also, there is no discrimination done while
recruiting with the help of this approach and also it assists in improving quality of hiring. .
Furthermore, using of this approach will lead to increase in efficiency. It will help HR in
maintaining culture in Tesco as well. Staffing approach will help in making changes in policies
as per ethics of local country.
SECTION 4
a) Create a detailed IT Implementation and installation plan
Every project includes a plan in which activities are described briefly. It assists manager
in completion of project in specified time. A plan is a blueprint of project which shows entire
details about what activities will be done, who will perform it, a what time and who will be
responsible for monitoring of those. It is essential for Tesco to develop a proper IT installation
plan so that project can be executed effectively. The project plan consists of steps and methods
through which tools and equipment’s are installed. This also makes it easy for project manager to
work in systematic manner. The plan also contains a schedule so that activities are started and
completed on fixed time. Moreover, manager gets a direction that what activities are processed
and run in what time.
Task name Status % of completion
System testing Underway 9%
Completion of SDT In process 11%
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set up
SAS system and
acceptance testing
Starting 67%
Set up of production
design
Completed 26%
Operability and
DMAS review
Completed 1%
Interface with
partners
Upcoming start 5%
Completion of
system testing
Completed 89%
Checking systems Underway 8%
Installation In process 25%
Monitoring of
systems
In process 52%
The plan described that how IT project will be implemented by Tesco and in how many
stages it will be completed. It enables project manager in getting the schedule of activities with
its starting and completion date. Moreover, it shows roles and responsibilities of employees in
those stages and monitoring of results. Also, manager will be able to make changes in plan
according to situations by developing strategies.
b) Provide a scheduled plan using Gantt chart
Task Name Duration Start Finish
Planning 10 days Mon
9/24/18 Fri 10/5/18
Deigning plan 5 days Mon
9/24/18 Fri 9/28/18
Determining tools
and equipment’s 2 days Mon
10/1/18 Tue 10/2/18
Develop 4 days Mon
10/8/18
Thu
10/11/18
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Conducting meeting 2 days Mon
10/8/18 Tue 10/9/18
Evaluate 5 days Wed
10/10/18
Tue
10/16/18
Monitoring and
control of project 3 days Fri 10/12/18 Tue
10/16/18
Closure 3 days Wed
10/17/18 Fri 10/19/18
Evaluation of
project 1 day Wed
10/17/18
Wed
10/17/18
Figure 1 Gantt Chart
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c) Zero based budget plan
A budget is a core requirement and significant part of project. it provides the overview of
how much cost will be incurred in completion. Also, it gives estimates of expenses that will be
involved in activities of project. besides this, manager distributes resources according to the
budget that is made. Zero base budgeting will be used here. This will make it easy for manager to
estimate budget from initial point. The budget plan of present project is identified below: -
Resources Cost
Design of project plan £100
Software requirements
Adobe flash £200
Programming
language software
£350
Testing £450
Hardware
Server £1000
Systems £1500
Operational expense
Software developer £500
Employees £600
Project manager £800
The plan describes total cost of project along with its monitoring expenses. The resources
are also included in it that are needed in various activities. Furthermore, manager and employees
will be able to utilise resources in effective way. Also, if there is any additional cost required it
can be allotted in project for its completion. With help of plan, it becomes easy for company to
provide resources to for particular project.
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SECTION 5
a) Impact of new technology and how the investment aligns with Tesco goals
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Risk identification Risk assessment Risk mitigation
ID Key Risk Impact Chance
1-10
Impact
1-5
Score Actions Action
Owner
1 Design Loss of data Storing data
in server and
database by
installing
security
devices.
7 3 40 In case of data loss,
it can be retrieved
through servers and
database. Thus, it is
necessary to take
back up of data in
regular time periods
so that it can be
protected and stored
IT
expert
2 Design Ineffective
installation of
devices
The devices
might not be
installed in
proper way.
8 4 35 Employees must
be provided
training about
using of new
technological
tools. This will
give them
information
about how to
maintain data
privacy
Project
manager
3 System Cyber attacks The system
might be
affected from
various cyber
types of
cyber attacks.
9 5 40 IT heads will be
continuously
monitoring ID of
employees to reduce
the chances of mis
management or
IT
manager
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unethical working
practices
4 Team Communication There might
occurs
conflict
between
employees.
5 2 25 Proper meetings
should be conducted
and communication
structure must be
developed
HR
manager
5 Delivery Environment But on the
other hand,
negative
impact will
be that
installation
of new tools
generate
radiation.
This will lead
to effect on
physical and
mental health
of people.
4 2 15 Company
can increase
their CSR
involvement
so that it can
build a
positive
image in the
minds of
people.
Tesco can
also use
greener
approaches
in utilisation
of resources.
Through
this, they can
save engage
more in
sustainable
environment.
Manager
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6 design Performance The
performance
of
application
or system
may get
reduced due
to
technological
advancement.
5 2 18 Company
can update
their
technology
that will help
them to
reduce and
control
radiations.
Moreover, it
will lead to
sustain for
long term
and reducing
cost.
Project
manager
7 Design Communication Customers
and
employees
can face
interruptions
while solving
problems and
issues.
5 3 22 the consumers of
Tesco will be
able to
communicate
with the
organisation at
any instant of
time and they
will get quick
response from
the organisation
without waiting
for some
attendant from t
Project
manager
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TESCO can
also refer taking
feedbacks from
its consumers
as a way of
improving the
quality of its
products and
services. This
will not only
lead to enhance
the overall
performance of
its business but
will also allow
them to manage
huge
transactional
data related to
enormous
number of
clients and
users.
CONCLUSION
It can be summarised from report that Tesco has initiated a new IT project in which they
will be develop an App for consumer in providing them ease in buying of products. The
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main objective of developing this app is to attract large number of customers and gain
competitive advantage in industry. The role of project manager is very crucial. The company has
to select appropriate staffing approach such as Ethnocentric, Polycentric, Geocentric, etc. to hire
qualified people. There is great ethical impact on organisation due to staffing approach.
A proper and effective IT installation plan is developed which provides an insight of
activities that will be included in project. It also contains process which has to be undertaken. At
last it is concluded that for reducing and controlling risk, a risk assessment plan is developed.
Through this, risk is identified and minimised. the project will bring a technological
advancement in Tesco. They will be able to enhance satisfaction of customers and retain them.
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