Posted: March 11th, 2024

Assignment 2: Consultancy Report CRN

Assessment Information/Brief 2019: 2024 – Online Assignment Homework Writing Help Service By Expert Research Writers/20

Module title Information Systems and Digital Transformation
CRN 53181; 53174
Level 7
Assessment title Assignment 2: Consultancy Report
Weighting within module This assessment is worth 50% of the overall module mark.
Submission deadline date and time See OnlineCampus
Module Leader/Assessment set by
Dr Yun Chen
How to submit
You should submit electronic version of individual report (word/pdf document) via OnlineCampus.

I need help writing my essay – research paper make sure that you check your spelling and grammar carefully. Marks will be deducted for work which has a poor standard of written English.

You should always aim to submit your assessments on the published submission date. For details of policy on late submission please refer to student handbook.

Assessment task details and instructions

Case Study: Digital Transformation of Fast Food Sector in the UK

Peng started a Chinese takeaway in Newcastle 10 years ago. Like other traditional takeaways, he takes order face-to-face or by phone. Then his customers can collect the food themselves or ask the food to be delivered to their address if it is within 2 miles and the order is greater than £12.00.

The business expanded quickly in these 10 years and Peng opened another 7 takeaways in different regions of England, such as Northumberland, Devon and Durham. This ad hoc growth strategy has led to accelerating volume of required labour and sales. Accordingly, the traditional business model is difficult to manage and is not meeting enhanced customer expectations in this current digital age when completing against fast food giants Deliveroo and UberEats.

As a result, Peng plans to transfer his business digitally by embedding digital technologies within the business model. He is thinking about three potential transformation methods:

1. Join a 3rd party platform, such as Just-Eat ( https://www.just-eat.co.uk ) to approach to the new markets online. In order to be a member of Just-Eat, the shop needs to sign a contract and pay 10% commission of each order to Just-eat. In return, Just-eat will put the shop menu into their website database and make it searchable to customers by postcode. Just-Eat will also provide a device to the shop so that the take-away can be noticed of any order placed through the website. The shop can accept or deny any order. Just-eat will refund money to the shop (after 10% commission) monthly or bi-weekly.

2. Build up digital presence (e.g. website or mobile app) to take orders and promote the shop to the new markets. As long as the order is place on the website or through mobile app, the shop counter will receive a message containing all order details on the shop Point of Sale system so that orders can be dealt with in the traditional way. As a trial, Peng has recruited a developer to build websites for 4 of his shops as below:

 http://www.pekinggardenexpress.co.uk (in Stockton-on-Tees)
 https://www.pandaoriental.com (in Bedlington)
 https://www.chinafood.co.uk (in Newcastle Upon Tyne)
 http://www.chinesekitchen.net (in Exmouth)

The developer also developed a cross-platform mobile app for Peng’s business called ‘Panda Oriental Bedlington’, which can be downloaded from both iOS and Android app stores.

3. Implement ‘Virtual Counter’ system to reduce human resources required in each shop. According to Peng’s expectation, the Virtual Counter system should be designed to replace the physical counter in shops and serve as a ‘call centre’ to take orders by phone. The system includes database of each shop’s details and menu. Customers will place order by call a specific shop’s telephone number which will be dealt with Virtual Counter system. After receiving the order, the system will send the order to POS computer in the shop which will then print out the order in the kitchen automatically. The food is delivered and customers make the payment directly to the driver when they receive the food.

With all these ideas, Peng is struggled at choosing which method (or more than one methods) to go ahead. He also needs advice on how to transfer this traditional business routine steadily and how to cope with challenges in the digital transformation process. As a result, he is looking for a digital specialist to develop a digital strategy consistent with its business strategy.

Your Tasks

You are the SBS Consultant employed by Peng. You are required to write a 3000-word professional report which deals with the issues in its Digital Transformation process and presents your analysis and recommendations.

 Identify key business and technical challenges of the Takeaway’s transition from traditional routine to digital process.
 Recommend and justify the digital strategy Peng can take forward.
 Consider barriers to implementation of digital strategy and how these might be overcome.
 Build an inclusive and persuasive argument that can be presented to Peng.

I need help writing my essay – research paper structure your assignment as a report, including:

• Title Page & Contents page (5%) – It is a professional report. A professional presentation is important to your client!
• Introduction (25%) – This section should provide an overview of traditional takeaway business strategy and Peng’s digital transformation goal. Analysis technique such as SWOT, PESTLE etc are recommended. Also, at least one Business Process Model should be included in this session to demonstrate your understanding of existing business processes of Peng’s takeaways. The model should follow the Business Process Modelling notation shown in the lecture slides. It is recommended that you use Microsoft Visio to create the models although you may if you prefer use Word, PowerPoint or appropriate alternatives.
• Analysis (40%) – Using chapters as needed, this section should include the market research for digital transformation of takeaway sector in the UK. You should conduct research on Emerging techs, Business Drivers and Competitors of Peng’s takeaway business and also provide a critical review on the 3 digital ideas Peng proposed to justify the best way to go ahead. You can also suggest new digital opportunities to Peng based on collected data. At least one Business Process Model should be included in this session to indicate the revised business process after digital transformation. A roadmap outlining how the proposed changes to the business can be achieved to the benefit of the business should also be included in this section. You should structure this section under your own headings/subheading according to contents.
• Conclusions and Recommendations (20%) – This session should provide summary of recommendations on digital transformation process to Peng, including consideration of the challenges ahead to ensure that the proposed strategy is effectively implemented. The arguments and statements in this session should be driven by your analysis and research in Main Section.
• References (10%) – You should use appropriate theories, frameworks and models that we have covered in the module to inform and justify your arguments and drive your decision-making process in the report. A minimum of 10 sources should be used. References should be from a wide range of resources (e.g. journal articles, books, Industry reports, white papers, company websites etc.) and should be properly quoted in the report – Here is the university guide to referencing:
https://www.salford.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/1474967/Referencing-Quick-Guide.pdf

Assessed intended learning outcomes

On successful completion of this assessment, you will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding
1. Critically appraise alternative IT/IS transformation solutions against business needs to bridge potential gaps in business and IT strategic alignment
2. Reflect on paradigms of philosophical enquiry, the application of systems and systems thinking, acknowledging the value of critical thinking in IS and in Digital Transformation
3. Evaluate critically the legal and ethical implications arising from new technologies in a business setting

Practical, Professional or Subject Specific Skills
1. Conduct a critical evaluation of the effectiveness of various business requirements, design and integration techniques
2. Appraise critically alternative third party vendors/IT/IS solution providers
3. Identify and recognise the value in application of business analysis tools such as value stream mapping, gap analysis, business/IT audits and environmental scanning
4. Make a critical appraisal of contemporary models, evaluate methodologies and practices of historic IT Strategy and contemporary Digital Strategy, in the context of current research and emerging trends.
5. Conduct market place evaluation of IT solutions and understand how this is done on a practical level

Transferable Skills and other Attributes
1. Identify and utilise appropriate business process modelling techniques such as Use case diagrams, soft-systems methodology, user requirement analysis
2. Analyse the appropriateness of key legislation relating to technology and information such as Data Protection Act, Computer Misuse Act, and other relevant Acts and those relating to copyright and the digital economy
3. Students will be able to review and diagnose knowledge (tacit and explicit) sharing in organisations and build critical thinking skills
4. Demonstrate an ability to work effectively as an individual and group member in order to carry out tasks linking theory to practice so developing new skills to a high level
5. Manipulate available learning resources in order to solve problems related to IS planning, re-engineering and integration.
6. Communicate the solutions arrived at, and the theory underlying them, in verbal and written form to specialists and non-specialist audiences
7. Appraise key issues in relevant literature and digital resources.

Module Aims
1. to equip students with a theoretical, practical and systemic understanding of knowledge for the needs of organisations when strategically planning, re-engineering, and integrating Information Technology/ Systems (IT/S) in the context of Digital Transformation of Businesses
2. to provide a holistic knowledge of the critical role of current problems and /or new insights of IT/IS both at corporate and business level so students are ready to provide capability in, IT/IS, together with understanding of professional, ethical and legal issues for IT/IS implementation at functional and strategic levels of transforming businesses
3. to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable both in business and IS/IT alignment in the context of current research and emerging trends.

Word count/ duration (if applicable)

Your assignment should be equivalent of 3000 words (+/- 10%).
You are encouraged to develop your assignment using images, tables, diagrams and visualisations.
References and appendix are not included in the word count.

Feedback arrangements

You can expect to receive summative feedback and provisional mark for this assignment on the OnlineCampus within 2 weeks of the submission due date.

Support arrangements

askUS
The University offers a range of support services for students through askUS.
Good Academic Conduct and Academic Misconduct
Students are expected to learn and demonstrate skills associated with good academic conduct (academic integrity). Good academic conduct includes the use of clear and correct referencing of source materials. Here is a link to where you can find out more about the skills which students require http://www.salford.ac.uk/skills-for-learning.
Academic Misconduct is an action which may give you an unfair advantage in your academic work. This includes plagiarism, asking someone else to write your assessment for you or taking notes into an exam. The University takes all forms of academic misconduct seriously. You can find out how to avoid academic misconduct here https://www.salford.ac.uk/skills-for-learning.

Personal Mitigating Circumstances
If personal mitigating circumstances may have affected your ability to complete this assessment, you can find more information about personal mitigating circumstances procedure here.

Assessment Criteria
Your report would be marked in terms of task items described in this assignment brief. It is summarised as the table below, but please refer to detailed description in ‘Your Tasks’ on Page 2.
Section Content Marks
Title Page & Contents page (5%) Title page & Contents page to start the professional report. 5
Introduction (25%) An overview of current HH Reeds Printers business strategy and their digital transformation goal. 25
Main Section (40%) Research and analysis on Business Driver and Competitors of HH Reeds and a review on emerging tech/digital innovation in printing sector. How can the proposed changes to the business be achieved to the benefit of the business? 40
Conclusions and Recommendations (20%) Summarise the whole report with recommendations on digital transformation process to the HH Reeds, including consideration of the challenges ahead to ensure that the proposed strategy is effectively implemented. 20
References (10%) References should be come from a wide range of resources (e.g. website, books, Industry reports, white papers and journal articles etc.) and should be properly quoted in the report 10

Marks will be awarded for:
• Strong and logic interlink between sessions;
• Critical analysis and synthesis of relevant knowledge/theories, incorporating evidence of original thinking;
• Critical discussion related to the Case Study context;
• Comprehensive market research with evidence support;
• Appropriate reference from a wide range of sources (e.g. reputable digital business site/academic papers/new stories);

Marks may be deducted for:
 Work that is plagiarised from other sources without the use of academic referencing
 Uncompletion of assignment tasks
 Misunderstanding of the concepts
 Lack of discussion
 Descriptive writing rather than reflective and critical
 Evidence of little effort put into the assignment

Your attention is also drawn to the School policies on plagiarism and referencing. Assignments may not be submitted late. Marking penalties for late submission will follow the University regulations for PMC and late submission.

In Year Retrieval Scheme
Your assessment is not eligible for in year retrieval.

Reassessment

If you fail your assessment, and are eligible for reassessment, you will work on for the same tasks described above. The reassessment support will be provided in the format of 2 or 3 tutors’ drop-in sessions. Your submission date will be informed in the due course.

For students with accepted personal mitigating circumstances, this will be your replacement assessment attempt. Students should be aware that there is no late submission period at reassessment (this includes those students who have an accepted PMC request from a previous attempt).

The generic descriptor (Levels of Performance) for Level 7 module can be viewed here.

Order | Check Discount