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Essential Content
LO1:Establish project aims, objectives and timeframes based on the chosen theme.
Project management:
- What is project management and what does it involve?
- The key stages of project management.
- The advantages of using project management and why it is important.
Initiation of the project and project planning phase:
- Scoping a project − defining objectives, scope, purpose and deliverables to be produced.
- Steps and documentation required in the initiation phase.
- Developing the project plan, including planning for timescales and time management, cost, quality, change, risk and issues.
- The work breakdown structure.
- Use of Bar and Gantt Charts for effective planning.
LO2: Conducting a Research Project.
Project execution phase:
- Selecting appropriate methods of information gathering, data collection and material resourcing.
- The distinct phases which support a coherent and logical argument.
- Use of secondary research to inform a primary empirical study.
- Qualitative and quantitative research methods.
Field work:
- Selecting a sample of the consumer market, businesses or individuals (those who meet certain characteristics relevant to the research theme) is used to gather data (qualitative or quantitative).
- Sampling approaches and techniques, including probability and nonprobability sampling.
Ethics, reliability and validity:
- All research should be conducted ethically − how is this achieved and reported?
- Research should also be reliable (similar results achieved from a similar sample) and valid (the research should measure what it aimed to measure).
Analysing information and data:
- Using data collection tools such as interviews and questionnaires.
- Using analytical techniques such as trend analysis, coding or typologies.
LO3Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/or analysis.
Communicating outcomes:
- Consider the method (e.g. written, verbal) and the medium (e.g. report, online, presentation).
- Both method and medium will be influenced by the project research and its intended audience.
Convincing arguments:
- All findings/outcomes should be convincing and presented logically where the assumption is that the audience has little or no knowledge of the project process.
- Developing evaluative conclusions.
Critical and objective analysis and evaluation:
- Secondary and primary data should be critiqued and considered with an objective mind-set.
- Objectivity results in more robust evaluations where an analysis justifies a judgement.
LO4Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable organisational performance.
Reflection for learning and practice:
The difference between reflecting on performance and evaluating a project − the former considers the research process, information gathering and data collection, the latter the quality of the research argument and use of evidence.
The cycle of reflection:
To include reflection in action and reflection on action.
How to use reflection to inform future behaviour, particularly directed towards sustainable performance.
Reflective writing:
Avoiding generalisation and focusing on personal development and the research journey in a critical and objective way.
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Digital technology has revolutionised the way we conduct business. Over the last decade it has dramatically changed traditional business models and transformed business activities. The use of digital mobile technology has provided businesses with a wealth of choice and opportunity. This has enabled existing products to become more profitable and innovative new products to be developed, leading to increasingly diverse product portfolios. Its impact is evident at the core of all key business systems:
● Administration - cloud technology enables effective filing, storage and sharing of information.
● Communication- social media and mobile technology allows businesses to connect, communicate, collaborate and build relationships on a global scale.
● Storage and Distribution - `The Internet of Things’ is connecting and integrating systems throughout business structures.
● Production - Artificial intelligence and big data analytics are driving Innovation and product growth
This assessment will enable students to examine the impact of digital technology on how we conduct business through the context of a given project. This will provide the opportunity for students to contextualise the implications of digital technology in the workplace and how it is shaping the future workforce. It will also enable them to explore both the challenges and opportunities that rapid technological advances represents for businesses.
The assignment scenario is:How digital technology has transformed business activities e.g. operations, marketing, accounting, HR.
Please note that students need to submit the log book along with assignment.
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Scenario:Submit an idea for your project plan (How digital technology has transformed business activities e.g. operations, marketing, accounting, HR).By outlining costs of all resources required for implementation, timescales and workable strategy.
P1Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen project within your chosen Business.
P2Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk and resources.
P3Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt Chart to provide timeframes and stages for completion.
Task Guidance:Your proposal should include the following points:
Scoping a project − defining objectives, scope, purpose and deliverables to be produced. Steps and documentation required in the initiation phase.
Developing the project plan, including planning for timescales and time management, cost, quality, change, risk and issues. The work breakdown structure and the use Bar and Gantt Charts for effective planning.
Examples of projects will be discussed during the tutorials.
Merits and Distinctions Criteria
To AchieveM1You need to produce a comprehensive project management plan, milestone schedule and project schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project.
To AchieveD1you need to critically evaluate the project management process and appropriate research methodologies applied.
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