Impact of COVID on Workplace Transformation in Digital Age: A Study on Barclays

The report analyses the impact of COVID 19 on workplace transformation in current digital age. It includes aims and objectives of current organisation along with WBS and Gantt chart that is used to produce project management plan so that proper research methodology is to be done. The report is based on Barclays plc that is British multinational universal bank. It also includes small scale research by implementation qualitative and quantitative research, evaluation of research and data using appropriate tools and techniques, recommendations results to data and research analysis, and reflection on the value of undertaking the project to meet stated objectives and own learning and objectives.

UNIT 6
MANAGING A SMALL
BUSINESS PROJECT
(How has a major external event transformed the workplace?)

Table of Contents
TITLE..............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Devise aims and objectives of chosen organisation...............................................................1
P2 Produce project management plan including several aspects................................................2
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart...........................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Small scale research by implementation qualitative and quantitative research.....................6
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
P5 Evaluate research and data using appropriate tools and techniques....................................10
P6 Recommendations results to data and research analysis......................................................14
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................15
P7 Reflect value of undertaking the project to meet stated objectives and own learning and
objectives...................................................................................................................................15
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

TITLE
“To identity the impact of COVID in workplace transformation within current digital
age.” A study on Barclays.
INTRODUCTION
The main aim of conducting this project report is to analyse the impact of COVID 19 on
workplace transformation in current digital age. Work transformation is a kind of change
management strategy that is mainly used to shift, realignment or fundamental changes within a
business organisation. The main aim is to make changes in processes, people, system to attain the
company objectives and visions in definite period of time. Workplace transformation define as a
method of improving workforce skills, ability to maintain constant changes within organisation
business strategy (Nagel, 2020). It is mainly present due to COVID 19 impact that driven the
rapid shift to work from home. This report is based on Barclays plc that is British multinational
universal bank that was operated as two divisions such as Barclays UK and Barclays
international. There are around 83,500 employees are working in all over the world on revenue
of 2176.6 crores. This report includes aims and objectives of current organisation along with
WBS and Gantt chart that is used to produce project management plan so that proper research
methodology is to be done. Further finding are reflected in which researcher use primary and
secondary sources so that proper data would be collected. At last recommendations are framed to
overcome the impact of COVID 19 on workplace transformation so that high profitable results
are enjoyed by organisation.
TASK 1
P1 Present aims and objectives of Barclays
Overview of research
This particular investigation is based on workplace transformation in digital age on which
organisation need to emphasis on to maintain culture and productivity in appropriate manner. In
terms of Barclays, management highly emphasis on examine impact of COVID 19 on workplace
transformation in digital age (Selimović, Pilav-Velić and Krndžija, 2021). In this compiling
experience of management team helps to positively bring workplace transformation in
appropriate manner. It also demonstrate challenges faced by Barclays at workplace
transformation. The main purpose is to identify the impact of external events like COVID on
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transformation of workplace at digital age so that firm emphasis on removing it to maintain
productivity. Hence it is highly useful to enhance skills and knowledge based on workplace
transformation to maximise career growth.
Project management refers to a continuous process which express proper structure to
complete repetitive activities so that overall purpose is to be attained. Project management have
various level like initiation, planning, performance control, execution and wind up of project. It
shows systematic work so that goals are attained on time. It is high time consuming process due
to which investigator execute every step in precise manner so that project should be complete in
appropriate manner.
Aims
To identity the impact of COVID in workplace transformation within current digital age.
A study on Barclays.
Objectives
 To understand the basic conceptual framework of workplace transformation in digital
age.
 To examine the impact of external events such as COVID in workplace transformation
under current digital age.
 To determine challenges faced by Barclays during workplace transformation in digital
age.
Research questions
 What are the basic conceptual framework of workplace transformation in digital age?
 Explain the impact of external events such as COVID in workplace transformation under
current digital age?
 What are the challenges faced by Barclays during workplace transformation in digital
age?
P2 Produce project management plan including several aspects
A project refers to a report that includes a peculiar topic on which subjects are framed to
properly complete the report. By getting the support of project management plan researcher start
or finish the activities in effective way (Chatterjee and Crawford, 2021). In this several phases
are included such as initiation, planning, implementation, closing and monitoring. Within this
several components are essential to conduct research that are presented below:
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 Time- It refers to a crucial aspect that is essential to complete aim and objectives in
appropriate manner. Time is needed to complete activities in authentic manner so that
proper analysis could be accomplished. Therefore for this report, researcher need 12
week in which they do systematic analysis so that overall objectives are reached.
 Cost- It refers to that amount which is needed to carry out activities and task in proper
manner. The total cost for completing this research project is £200. This involves
company analysis along with execution of project plan so that aims and objectives are
attained on time.
 Quality- It is another activity that is necessary within the report about the gathering data
which is of outstanding quality. However several types of practices are included to
gather proper outcomes (Fischer, Lundin and Lindberg, 2020). The quality of project is
maintained with assistance of primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are great
in quality when researcher approach right representative in effective manner whereas
secondary sources are facilitates the publication of data from journals. Articles, books,
commercial enterprise etc. as they assist in collect appropriate data of great quality due to
which objectives are attained effectively.
 Resources- Resources are very important for complete the study on time. The resources
include human resource, technical resources, equipment, financial resources. Therefore
involvement of these resources help to attain the targets in appropriate manner. As these
resources are helpful to complete the outcomes in short period of time. MS-Excel is
mainly used by researcher to make graphs, tables to accomplish the objectives on set time
frame.
 Communication- This process is crucial because it assist to share reliable information on
right time to exact respondents (Vahdat, 2021). There are various channels to convey
information to right representative on correct time so that proper results are attained on
time. In this research use e-mail to convey information and get reliable data in
appropriate manner.
 Risk- This determine the risk that could be faced by researcher while gather information
from chosen participants of after the process of collecting information. In this Theft is
being one of the major threat and also real challenge. In this gathered information could
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be stolen and inappropriate collection of incomplete information reflect improper
findings. To overcome this researcher need to form strategy to complete projects on time.
 Scope- the scope of conducting the project report is identify the impact of external events
on workplace transformation in explained manner. The main reason of drawing this study
is to examine the impact of COVID on transformation at workplace along with
challenges present while transformation in digital age at Barclays. Hence this study
would be developed to meet aims and objectives in appropriate manner.
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Gantt chart
It described as an understanding where planning of project is done so that objectives and
related questions within research project are attained in easy manner. It is a task planner that split
activities in an impressive manner so that every task could be completed on time where proper
timings could be given (Matli, 2020). Hence it helps to attain aim and objectives in appropriate
manner.
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Work breakdown structure
The work breakdown structure demonstrated a systematic composition that is used to
divide the sizeable activities into smaller one so that overall objectives are to be attained on time.
The structure considered each and every activity in such a manner so that it could be completed
on set time duration. Work break down structure believe that smaller task are easily achieved as
compared to large activities (Hite and McDonald, 2020).
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TASK 2
P4 Small scale research by implementation qualitative and quantitative research
Research outlined as a organized activity that includes collection of data, analysis,
documentation, interpretation to collect and gather the information to present viable conclusion.
It is used to attain the business objectives in appropriate manner. As research need in-depth
analysis based on specific topic so that objectives are attained on time. Effective research helps
to reach the objectives for this researcher need two methods that are presented below:
Qualitative research refer to the non-numerical kind of research where and investigator
collect opinion, mental object of respective person in words. Therefore investigator centered on
collect the ideas so that it could be analyses effectively. Mainly it includes open ended questions
where observations are used.
Quantitative research refers to that research which is reflected in numerical manner.
These were expressed in numbers where statistical and questionable techniques are adopted
(İlkkaracan and Memiş, 2021). Within this close ended questions are to be adopted that involves
questionnaire, interview etc.
To conduct this particular research, investigator adopts quantitative research where
questionnaire method is adopted. Questionnaire is highly effective methods that make connection
with respondents so that reliable information is presented for research.
Data collection defined as an activity of collecting data so that reliable information are collected
on specific topic. This involves two types of data collection primary and secondary data
collection.
Primary data- It define to that type of data collection where data are collected originally
without use of already published data. This source offer reliable information that is used to draw
perfect conclusion at the end.
Secondary data is that type of data collection where data are gathered using already
published sources such as books, journals, magazines etc. as they are more time consuming
because find relevant content is quite difficult.
Hence for this particular research both primary and secondary source of data are used in
terms of Questionnaire and literature review manner. This give prominent results at the end of
the workplace transformation in digital age research.
Sampling
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It refers to that process which is used to select few respondents from huge population.
There are two type of sample collection i.e. random sampling and non-random sampling. For this
specific report research adopts random sampling where respondents are selected randomly. In
this 30 respondents are chosen who fill questionnaire to present reliable information.
Ethical considerations
It is most crucial aspect in research methodology that considered the project should be
completed by follow proper code of conducts (Georgiadou and et. al., 2020). In this researcher
need to emphasis on maintain transparency, honesty, protection of autonomy etc. that are useful
to collect information from respondents in authentic manner so that valid outcomes are presented
at marketplace.
Research limitations
By involving in this research, investigator face various kind of limitations that negatively
affect performance and its completion. In this they recognize that there is an issue of lack of
resources, time to select the best method and collect information etc. due to which particular
study cannot done in a systematic manner.
Hence, preceding mentioned practices are very important to complete the project report
in reliable and relevant manner due to which overall research aim and objectives are achieved
effectively.
Secondary research (Literature review)
What are the basic conceptual framework of workplace transformation in digital age?
As per the Red thread, (2021) workplace transformation refers to a rethinking of flexible
work space to accommodate several types of work, technology and workers. In recent time
working criteria of people has changed as the work we need to accomplish is highly unstructured
, complex and collaborative and due to this people need flexible work spaces that highly support
companies and employees to work without distracting and targets are done in collaborative
nature. As technology is one of the main reason of workplace transformation that evolves around
the BYOD strategy to offer employees choice and control.
To examine the impact of external events such as COVID in workplace transformation under
current digital age?
As per the “Baker, Mary. (2021)” The transformation just only impact businesses but
also it impacts its employees , stakeholders associated with the brand . Shor6tcoming in the
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business organisations culture are one of the biggest transformational challenge . It is the
misconceptions of the companies that digital transformation is only possible if the company
upgrades its tools and technologies . Also the capital plan for the digital transformation is one of
the biggest hurdle . It requires a lot of investments which company sometimes cannot afford and
lead to misconceptions.
To determine challenges faced by Barclays during workplace transformation in digital age?
As per the viewpoint of “Lomas. A., (2021)”The impact of external factors such as
COVID- 19 was positive in the transformation under current digital age because the companies
adopted the online facilities which before were not following the online work . But after COVID-
19 the people and the companies adopted digital workplace .employees were given work from
home which impacted the digital companies and more use of digital platforms took place .
Employees feel this workplace more secure and safe in such tough times and it also changed the
working environment .
Primary research (Questionnaire)
Q1) Are you aware about the basic concept of workplace transformation
in digital age?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 5
Q2) In your opinion, external events like COVID 19 impact the
workplace transformation within Barclays in the digital age?
Frequency
a) Yes 15
b) No 10
c) Prefer not to say 5
Q3) According to your viewpoint, what challenges faced by Barclays
during workplace transformation in digital age?
Frequency
a) Customer understanding 10
b) Digitally modified business 6
c) Performance management 8
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d) Customer touch points 6
Q4) As per your knowledge, How Barclays has overcome with the
challenges present due to workplace transformation in digital age?
Frequency
a) Make real time decisions 7
b) Validate, analyse and execute by proper planning 8
c) Make stakeholders to understand transformation at workplace 7
d) Flexible working hours 8
Q5) In your viewpoint what are the strategies that make Barclays to
adopts workplace transformation in digital age?
Frequency
a) To retain talent 10
b) Create a strict timeline 9
c) Recognise correct stakeholders 11
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TASK 3
P5 Evaluate research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Frequency distribution
Q1) Are to aware about the basic concept of workplace transformation in
digital age?
Frequency
a) Yes 25
b) No 5
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
25
5
Frequency
Interpretation: From above data it is interpreted that 25 respondents out of 30 are being
aware about concept of workplace transformation in digital age and 5 are not aware about this
within the business industry.
Q2) In your opinion, external events like COVID 19 impact the
workplace transformation within Barclays in the digital age?
Frequency
a) Yes 15
b) No 10
c) Prefer not to say 5
10

a) Yes b) No c) Prefer not to say
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Frequency
Interpretation: By above graph it is interpreted that out of 30 respondents, 15 said
COVID 19 impact workplace transformation whereas 10 said that external event does not
impact on workplace transformation within Barclays in the digital age. In this rest 5 out of 30
respondents prefer not to say anything about the topic.
Q3) According to your viewpoint, what challenges faced by Barclays
during workplace transformation in digital age?
Frequency
a) Customer understanding 10
b) Digitally modified business 6
c) Performance management 8
d) Customer touch points 6
11

a) Customer understanding
b) Digitally modified business
c) Performance management
d) Customer touch points
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
10
6
8
6
Frequency
Interpretation: From above chart it is interpreted that according to 10 respondent
viewpoint out of 30 respondents customer understanding is a major challenge faced by Barclays
during workplace transformation in digital age whereas 6 said that digitally modified business is
the main challenge and 8 respondents think performance management is a challenge faced by
company while workplace transformation. In this rest 6 respondents believe that customer touch
point is biggest challenge during workplace transformation in digital age.
Q4) As per your knowledge, How Barclays has overcome with the
challenges present due to workplace transformation in digital age?
Frequency
a) Make real time decisions 7
b) Validate, analyse and execute by proper planning 8
c) Make stakeholders to understand transformation at workplace 7
d) Flexible working hours 8
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a) Make real time decisions
c) Make stakeholders to understand transformation at workplace
6.4
6.6
6.8
7
7.2
7.4
7.6
7.8
8
7
8
7
8
Frequency
Interpretation: From the above graph it is interpreted that 7 people out of 30
respondents said that by make real time decisions Barclays has overcome with the challenges
face due to workplace transformation in digital age whereas 8 people said that by validate,
analyse and execute the proper planning company overcome with challenges. In this 7 believe
that by make stakeholders to understand transformation at workplace Barclays overcome with
the challenge of workplace transformation.
Q5) In your viewpoint what are the strategies that make Barclays to
adopts workplace transformation in digital age?
Frequency
a) To retain talent 10
b) Create a strict timeline 9
c) Recognise correct stakeholders 11
13

a) To retain talent
b) Create a strict timeline
c) Recognise correct stakeholders
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Frequency
Interpretation: by above chart it is interpreted that 10 respondent out of 30 said that to
retain talent is best strategy that Barclays adopts to workplace transformation in digital age
whereas 9 representative said that create strict timeline is an effective strategy to effectively
adopts workplace transformation whereas 11 respondents out of 30 said recognise correct
stakeholders are best strategy to adopt workplace transformation in digital age.
P6 Recommendations results to data and research analysis
From above information several results are recommended to Barclays to effectively done
workplace transformation in digital age. Some recommendations are presented below:
 Firstly, offer training to employees regarding the proper use of digital devices and
networks so that employees accept workplace transformation properly and understand
targets effectively so that company brand image would be maintained (Bartsch and et. al.,
2020).
 Secondly it is recommended that due to COVID 19, Barclays need to emphasis on
maximize the number knowledgeable workers so that administration team effectively
complete their decision making process. This also helps to make routine jobs less
common that enhance the automation and digitization in operations and processes.
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TASK 4
P7 Reflect value of undertaking the project to meet stated objectives and own learning and
objectives
PERFORMANCE REVIEW REPORT:
Student Name:
Project Title: “To identity the impact of COVID in workplace transformation within
current digital age.” A study on Barclays.
What was the project supposed to accomplish?
This project is completing about the impact of external events on workplace
transformation in digital age.
Did the project succeed in its aims? How do you know? Specifically, please outline any
evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes I has succeed in aim of this project.
Proper data has been gathered using primary and secondary sources.
Data is to be analyses using frequency distribution for finding relaibility.
What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the project (e.g.
initial inception, project activities and project outcomes) from a range of perspectives.
Information collection using primary data
Assessment of gathered data
Formation of project plan
What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was there timely
identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
Interact with representative and time management.
Problems are recognized on correct time.
For this I will take the help o Gantt chart to improve communication.
What did you learn from undertaking the project?
By this report I have to learnt that workplace transformation is essential according to
requirements of external events such as COVIS 19.
How would you rate your performance as Project Manager?
I would rate myself 7 out of 10.
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What strengths and weaknesses of your performance did you identify?
Strengths:
Effective problem solving skills
Honesty
Weaknesses:
I understood that I am not good at team management and interaction skill.
PROJECT LOG-BOOK
Student Name:
Project Title: “To identity the impact of COVID in workplace transformation within current
digital age.” A study on Barclays.
Weeks:
Update on weekly research/tasks achieved Points to consider:
What have you completed?
I have completed research on workplace transformation in digital age.
Did you fulfil task requirements?
Yes.
Are you on track and within deadlines set?
Yes.
Did you need to make any changes to your project management plan?
No.
Any risks and/or issues identified? Points to consider:
No.
Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of skills required for undertaking research/tasks?
Interactive skills.
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Did you identify any additional risks/issues that have an impact on the project management
plan?
No
Problems encountered
Connecting with respondents
Points to consider: What barriers did you face? How did you overcome them?
Interacting with representative and participants
For this I have to join communication classes.
New ideas and change of project direction
No changes are done in project direction.
CONCLUSION
From the above information it is concluded that workplace transformation is very
essential for each and every kind of organisation. It is important because it helps to maintain
workplace culture in organisation for longer time period so that overall objectives are fulfilled. In
this company emphasis on using digital technology to overcome with the impact of external
events so that defined objectives are accomplished effectively and efficiently.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bartsch, S. and et. al., 2020. Leadership matters in crisis-induced digital transformation: how to
lead service employees effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Service
Management.
Chatterjee, K. and Crawford, F., 2021. Changing Work and Work-Related Travel and the Impact
of Covid-19. Built Environment. 47(3). pp.336-354.
Fischer, G., Lundin, J. and Lindberg, J.O.J., 2020. Rethinking and reinventing learning,
education and collaboration in the digital age—from creating technologies to
transforming cultures. The International Journal of Information and Learning
Technology.
Georgiadou, A. and et. al., 2020. Special issue call for papers: inclusion/exclusion in the
digitalized workplace. Human Resource Management Journal. https://onlinelibrary.
wiley. com/pb-assets/assets/17488583/HRMJ, pp.202020-1586341080253.
Hite, L.M. and McDonald, K.S., 2020. Careers after COVID-19: challenges and
changes. Human Resource Development International. 23(4). pp.427-437.
İlkkaracan, İ. and Memiş, E., 2021. Transformations in the Gender Gaps in Paid and Unpaid
Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from Turkey. Feminist
Economics.27(1-2). pp.288-309.
Matli, W., 2020. The changing work landscape as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic: insights
from remote workers life situations in South Africa. International Journal of Sociology
and Social Policy.
Nagel, L., 2020. The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the digital transformation of
work. International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy.
Selimović, J., Pilav-Velić, A. and Krndžija, L., 2021. Digital workplace transformation in the
financial service sector: Investigating the relationship between employees' expectations
and intentions. Technology in Society. 66. p.101640.
Vahdat, S., 2021. The role of IT-based technologies on the management of human resources in
the COVID-19 era. Kybernetes.
Online
Baker. M., 2021. 9 Future of Work Trends Post-COVID-19. [Online]. Available through:
<https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/9-future-of-work-trends-post-covid-19>
Lomas. A., 2021. 5 Biggest Challenges to a Successful Digital Transformation. [Online].
Available through: <https://www.netsolutions.com/insights/challenges-to-a-successful-
digital-transformation-and-how-to-overcome-them/>
Red Thread, 2021. What is a workplace transformation and why is it important?. [Online].
Available through: <https://www.red-thread.com/blog/workplace-transformation/>
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