Please see attached the selected management project and the guidance criteria for the management project.
Project:- SME product development
Project Brief
Company X is a SME providing food products to the catering trade. In order to help ensure a competitive level of service the company is considering the suitability of creating an app for their customers to use. However, the development of an app is outside the company’s specialism and will require an investment of scarce resources. Therefore, the company is looking for a consultant to undertake a scoping study to help determine the requirements of the project.
Background
In the current business environment mobile devices have become the focal point in a range of sectors such as Hotels & Restaurants, Travel & Holiday Providers, Ticketing Sites, Banks & Financial Institutions, etc. These companies have found mobile apps to be a great way to increase both sales and visibility for their respective businesses.
Key Facts:
· People are spending more time online today in comparison to any other media
· Time spent per day on mobile phones has increased about 575% in just 3 years
· About 62% of the world population can change their mind about the brand, if the brand provides opportunities for mobile access, mobile apps or purchase goods and services via smartphone.
· About 80% of the time spent on mobile phones is spent using apps
· Mobile Apps provide a user experience which ‘Responsive Websites’ are unable to offer.
· ‘Internet of Things’ devices are mobile apps centric (business2community.com, 2015)
“Therefore, mobile apps are becoming the dominating form of digital interaction, and customers / consumers in today’s world are on the move and using mobile application platforms to get there. Also, whether they use mobile phones, tablets, Smartphone, they have all the information they require and that’s why mobile apps are extremely essential in today’s business environment”.
“Mobile apps are not just for the B2C Market. Apple’s iOS is becoming the most popular platform for enterprise app development – with 53.2% of developers picking iOS for corporate app development compared to 37.4% of developers standing behind Android. RIM’s BlackBerry, the old guard of enterprise mobility, came in a distant fourth behind Windows Phone with only 2% of developers supporting it”. (Acromobile.com, 2013)
“Thanks to the consumerization of information technology and the app store phenomenon Enterprise Mobile Applications are moving away from clunky form driven screens. Business-to-Enterprise (B2E) apps are now expected to provide polished and guided business process with zero learning curve. This of course is a mixed blessing. On one hand there is more up front work in mobile projects to “get it right”. On the other hand when successful there are many benefits to change management, training, process conformity, and increased throughput”. (Acromobile.com, 2013)
Many small businesses have developed their own dedicated mobile app as a way of harnessing the potential of modern digital communications. Seven core advantages can be realised if companies utilise mobile apps effectively:
1. Be Visible to Customers at All Times
2. Create a Direct Marketing Channel
3. Provide Value to Your Customers
4. Build Brand and Recognition
5. Improve Customer Engagement
6. Stand Out From the Competition
7. Cultivate Customer Loyalty (Forbes,com, 2014)
Client Requirement
The client is looking for consultants to provide a report bid outlining how they would produce a study that outlines the following:
A scoping study to determine the necessary requirements of developing a business app for the Company X.
Project Timescale
The duration of the project is 6 Months.
Deliverable
Consultants need to produce a 6,000 word report outlining the main objectives of the study and the methods that would be employed – following the structure provided. In addition, an ‘A3 Report’ summarising the approach to this project needs to be provided.
You are required submit for Grading the TWO parts of the Module Assessment.
PART A: Management Project. The completed management project report must include ALL the chapters. Prior of submitting make sure that the document includes the following:
1) Cover Page and List of Contents.
2) Chapter 1: Introduction – Background and Objectives.
3) Chapter 2: Supportive Evidence.
4) Chapter 3: Study of Gantt chart.
5) Chapter 4: Contribution.
6) Chapter 5: Concluding Remarks.
7) References.
8) Appendices (if there are any)
Please acknowledge and cite all the relevant sources. The formatting of your citation and references must align with the Harvard referencing system. Part A Word limit is 8,400 (+/- 10%)
PART B: Reflective Portfolio. The completed Reflective Portfolio must include ALL the sections. Prior of submitting make sure that the document includes the following:
1) Cover Page and List of Contents.
2) Assumptions.
3) Ethics and Values.
4) Time Management.
5) Learning from Experience and Moving Forward
6) References (if you are using text-citations and theoretical viewpoints)
Part B Word limit is 3,600 (+/- 10%)
Dissertation Project/ Final Report. The module explores the concept, theories and practice of project management and consultancy skills. This module builds on the research methodology skills and requirements of critical debate established throughout the program and shows how these key skills are vital within a business context to ensure rigorous decision making. It examines combining the traditional research skills with project management and consultancy skills to enable an evidenced based approach to problem solving within an organisation. This module will improve student employability, enhance students’ ability to manage complex projects across a range of dynamic business environments in the contexts of entrepreneurship and leadership and management of change.
It is important in your submissions to use high quality sources of information.
To identify high quality sources of information you can check the impact factor score of the journals that you use in your submissions. For instance, Harvard business review, journal of management, journal of management studies, British journal of management, academy of management journal, are some interesting and high quality sources that can help in developing the submissions.
Students are required to submit:
1) A typed 8.400 words (+/-10%) Management project report.
2) A typed 3.600 words (+/-10%) Reflective Portfolio
Remember, you need to have 2 separate submissions (1. the Management Project report, 2 the Reflective Portfolio)
Grading Criteria:
Essay marking criteria For Management Project Report (70%):
1) Client Aims & Objectives 10%
· Clear identification of the Client’s requirements setting out the objectives of the study.
2) Supporting Evidence 45%
· Critical Identification and Evaluation of suitable industry studies and frameworks applicable to the project
· A critical exploration of the relevant academic theory to support the subjects covered in the project.
· This is NOT a literature review; it should identify and explain the RELEVANT methods that would be used to conduct the study
3) Gantt Chart & Methods 25%
· Identification, explanation and critical evaluation of the range of activities needed to complete the Client’s project.
· Understanding and critical reflection in scheduling the activities e.g. timelines, dependent activities, etc.
4 Contribution 20%
· A critical evaluation of the deliverable outcomes of the project.
· Clear meeting of the Client objectives set for the project.
· Remember, you are showing the Client WHY your approach is the most suitable to meet their aims and thus win the bid
Essay marking criteria For Reflective Portfolio (30%):
1) Assumptions 25%
2) Ethics and Values 25%
3) Time Management 25%
4) Learning from Experience and Moving Forward 25%
Prior to submitting PLEASE make sure of the following:
1) Your submission falls within the required word limit
2) It is typed carefully
3) It includes ALL the revised chapters
4) All the sections are included and titled consistently
5) To acknowledge all sources by citing and referencing them.
6) That the formatting of your citations and references is always in the line with the requirements of the Harvard Referencing System.
