Business Project
Assignment Brief
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Qualification |
HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS |
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Unit Number and Title |
6. MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS PROJECT |
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Start Date |
09-10-17 |
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Hand In Deadline |
11-11-17 |
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Assessor Name |
dr. philip gubbay |
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Assignment No |
1. |
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Assignment Title |
PROJECT THEME 01SEP17 – 31AUG18 |
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Purpose of this assignment This is an assignment will offer students an opportunity to demonstrate the skills required for managing and implementing a project. Students will undertake independent research and investigation for carrying out and executing a business project which meets appropriate business aims and objectives. |
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Assignment Description This Assignment covers the Learning outcomes LO1, LO2, LO3 and LO4.
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Preparation guidelines · The report should be grammatically correct and word processed. · The written report must be presented in a professional manner, with FORM 1, front page, contents page, page numbering, bibliography and annexes. · Use the Font as Arial size 11 and 1.5 line spacing. · Identify any references and Use the Harvard referencing system. · Complete the Form 1 page and sign the statement of authenticity. · You will pass the assignment only if you achieve all Pass criteria. Student must provide evidence that learning outcomes of the subject have been met. · Assignment will be checked for Plagiarism. Appropriate Actions may be taken as per College / Edexcel Plagiarism Policy. |
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Good practice · Make backup of your work in different media (hard disk, memory stick etc) to avoid distress for loss or damage of your original copy. · Make an extra hardcopy of your work submitted for your own reference or later use. |
INTRODUCTION TO THEME
The impact of digital technology on business activity 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.
However, changes in the way we work are not without their challenges as businesses have to adopt and deal with change management, recruit and sustain creative talent, invest in new technologies and respond to an ever increasing competitive environment. This unit 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 contextualize 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.
ASSIGNMENT TOPIC
The topic of your Business project related to the theme is:
THE KEY CHALLENGES TO BUSINESSES THAT OPERATE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN UNDER UTILISED.
Resources and useful links (Use as per Professor’s recommendation)
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Type of Resource |
Resource Titles |
Links |
Useful resources for the impacts of digital technology in the workplace, on small businesses and the future of the workforce. |
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Published Report
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World Economic Forum - How technology will change the way we work |
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2015/08/how-technology-will-change-the-way-we-work/
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Published Report
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Deloitte - Digital workplace and culture: How digital technologies are changing the workforce and how enterprises can adapt and evolve |
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Published Report
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Fast and Furious: How Digital Technologies are changing the way we work. |
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Published Report
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Digital Capabilities in SMEs: Evidence Review and Re-survey of 2014 Small Business Survey respondents | |
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Published Report
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The Digital Imperative: Small Businesses technology and growth. |
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Online web report |
The Future of Work 2015
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https://www.technologyreview.com/business-report/the-future-of-work-2015/ |
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Published Report
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New Ways of Working: The Way we Work is changing forever |
http://bteam.org/plan-b/new-ways-working-report/
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ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
The research project has to outline the following:
1) Presentation to the decision makers of the corporation (investors, CEO, Managing Director etc…) of a broad outline of the project (concept, sales targets, means required, timeline etc…) in order to seek and meet with their approval, this short presentation must take into account the strengths and weaknesses of the corporation, and the general market conditions under which the corporation operates;
2) Define and refine the goals (short, medium, long-term, making sure they are specific, measurable, actionable or attainable, realistic and time-bound). This must translate into improved sales figures over a certain period of time. Set the numbers in order in order to later be able to define success or failure of the project.
3) Select your team work on a list of actions, foster engagement and ideas within the workforce and work at interacting with all departments concerned. The costing of the project over a strict period of time must be achieved. Key performance indicators must be introduced as well as a schedule of meetings (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly reviews etc…) to follow through on tasks achieved, not done or delayed.
4) The project now translates into a list of actions following a critical path and is implemented.
5) The project is now analyzed, constantly re-assessed as it unfolds, thanks to the key performance indicators introduced and continued or stopped as the short term, medium term or long term goals are being met or not. If the project is successful then the celebration is of the order.
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Points to remember:
I] Preparation guidelines and format: · Use standard Business writing format. · The report should be grammatically correct and word processed. You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs and subsections as appropriate. · The written report must be presented in a professional manner, with FORM 1, front page, contents page, page numbering, bibliography and annexes. · Use the Font as Arial size 11 and 1.5 line spacing. · Identify any references and Use the Harvard referencing system. · The recommended word limit is 3,500-4000 words, although you will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit. · Complete the Form 1 page and sign the statement of authenticity. · You will pass the assignment only if you achieve all Pass criteria. Student must provide evidence that learning outcomes of the subject have been met. · Assignment will be checked for Plagiarism. Appropriate Actions may be taken as per College / Edexcel Plagiarism Policy. · Assignment submitted after the due date will be treated as late submission. It will incur a late fee and assessment criteria might be affected. Late assignments will be allowed only with a valid reason and documents (as required).
II] Plagiarism/Collusion: Any act of plagiarism or collusion will be seriously dealt with according to the regulations. In this context the definition and scope of plagiarism are presented below: Plagiarism is presenting somebody else’s work as your own, It includes copying information directly from the Web or books without referencing the material; submitting joint coursework as an individual effort; copying another student’s coursework; stealing coursework from another student and submitting it as your own work. Collusion is working collaboratively with another learner to produce work that is submitted as the individual learners work .Suspected acts of plagiarism or collusion will be investigated and if found to have occurred will be dealt with according to the college procedure. Be aware of college’s and Edexcel policy for Plagiarism.
III] Submission :
Submission and last date: last date is: 11 November 2017 Each student has to submit / upload a soft copy (all parts together) on ‘Edmodo’ by due date. Hardcopies are not accepted.
IV] Good practice: · Make backup of your work in different media (hard disk, memory stick etc) to avoid distress for loss or damage of your original copy. · Make an extra hardcopy of your work submitted for your own reference or later use. V] Assessment and Grading This assessment is based on achievements in learning outcomes. In order to pass: All criteria identified in the assignment with reference to learning outcomes of the module must be met. Student may use Bloom’s taxonomy to deliver an answer evidencing attainment of higher level skills of analysis, application, evaluation, assessment, contrasting, innovation and synthesis. |
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Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria |
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Learning Outcome
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Pass
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Merit
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Distinction
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LO1 Establish project aims, objectives and timeframes based on the chosen theme.
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P1 Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario. P2 Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk and resources. P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes and stages for completion. |
M1 Produce a comprehensive project management plan, milestone schedule and project schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project
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D1 Critically evaluate the project management process and appropriate research methodologies applied.
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LO2 Conduct small-scale research, information gathering and data collection, generating knowledge to support the project. |
P4 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives |
M2 Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of different research methods applied |
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LO3 Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/or analysis
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P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques. P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data analysis to draw valid and meaningful conclusions. |
M3 Evaluate the selection of appropriate tools and techniques for accuracy and authenticity to support and justify recommendations |
D2 Critically evaluate and reflect on the project outcomes, the decision making process and changes or developments of the initial project management plan to support justification of recommendations and learning during the project |
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LO4 Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable organisational performance
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P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own learning and performance |
M4 Evaluate the value of the project management process and use of quality research to meet stated objectives and support own learning and performance |
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