Project Management Literature Review

This assignment requires a comprehensive literature review on project management. Students need to analyze various journals, books, and online resources to understand the history, evolution, and current trends in project management practices. The review should encompass key concepts, theories, models, and influential researchers within the field. It also involves evaluating different perspectives on project management success and challenges.

Managing Successful Business

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P1 Project aims............................................................................................................................4
P2 Producing a project management plan that covers cost, scope, time and quality etc.............5
P3 Producing a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide time-frame and stages
for completing reference to selected project................................................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................9
P4 Carrying out small scale research by applying quality and quantitative research methods to
meet aim and objectives of the project........................................................................................9
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................12
P5 Analysing the research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.............................12
P6 Communicating appropriate recommendation as a result of research and data analysis to
draw valid and meaning conclusion...........................................................................................18
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................19
P7 Reflecting on the value of the undertaking the research to meet the stated objectives and
own learning as well as performance.........................................................................................19
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21

INTRODUCTION
Management of business activities plays important role through which all related
activities are integrated in order to produce the valid outcome. It enables firm to support other
operation aspects and ensure the meet the expectations of customers in an effectual manner. The
present report is based on Sainsbury; a largest chain of supermarket based in United Kingdom. It
deals in varied kind products and services are offered to customers (J Sainsbury plc, 2017). The
report under investigation focuses on implementing CSR activities in a company so as to
integrate all related resources and produce valid outcome out of the same. In addition to this, aim
and objective of project as well as plan of the project has been explained clearly. Moreover,
collected data are analyzed by using the most suitable technique. Apart from this, appropriate
suggestions are also provided for the business to implement the CSR activities and assess its
potential impact on its growth.
TASK 1
P1 Project aims
To analyse the role of CSR activities in maintaining sustainability and attaining
competitive advantage within organisation: A study on Sainsbury.
Objectives
The objectives has been segregated in accordance with aim through which it becomes
easy to complete the project in accordance with stated methodologies.
 To understand the concept and importance of CSR activities
 To assess the link between CSR activities and competitive edge of Sainsbury
 To attain competitive advantage through CSR by the end of 2017. To recommend different ways for implementing CSR activities in Sainsbury and
achieving sustainability.
Research questions
 What is the concept and importance of CSR activities?
 What is the link between CSR activities and competitive edge of Sainsbury?
 What are different ways for implementing CSR activities in Sainsbury and achieving
sustainable objectives?

The current project is analysing the role of CSR activities in maintaining sustainability
and attaining competitive advantage within organisation under which Sainsbury make the team
of expert and skilled personnel who can effectively contribute towards success of the business in
the market. It is very important to implement the project on right time whereby all expectations
of related stakeholders can be met effectively and business can put efforts to deliver good quality
of services to large number of buyers (Turner, 2014). This proves to be effective for support
corporation in deriving the valid outcome in accordance with set aim and objectives. It proves to
be effective for increasing overall rate of return of the business.
P2 Producing a project management plan that covers cost, scope, time and quality etc.
The project management is considered as the important aspect for working on specific
project related to business (Kerzner, 2013). For this purpose, different approaches such as PERT
and CPM are used in order to complete all the activities as per the schedule. The below
mentioned table is reflecting activities which will be covered under the corporate social
responsibility project of Sainsbury.
Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Defining research
project 116 days Mon
10/12/09 Mon 3/22/10
Planning 29 days Mon
10/12/09 Thu 11/19/09
Conducting market
research 10 days Mon
10/12/09 Fri 10/23/09
Identifying problem 6 days Mon
10/26/09 Mon 11/2/09 3
Arranging for
resources 8 days Tue 11/3/09 Thu 11/12/09 3,4
Allocation of financial
resources 5 days Fri 11/13/09 Thu 11/19/09 5
Preparing outline of
project 10 days Tue 11/3/09 Mon
11/16/09 4
Implementation of the
plan 72 days Tue 11/17/09 Wed 2/24/10 5
Assigning the
resources 16 days Tue 11/17/09 Tue 12/8/09 7
Stating the research
methodology 18 days Wed 12/9/09 Fri 1/1/10 9
Cost assignment 7 days Mon 1/4/10 Tue 1/12/10 9,10

Data Analysis 20 days Wed 1/13/10 Tue 2/9/10 11
Evaluating results and
finding 11 days Wed 2/10/10 Wed 2/24/10 12
Project closer 18 days Thu 2/25/10 Mon 3/22/10 12,13
Writing the
conclusion and
recommendation
9 days Thu 2/25/10 Tue 3/9/10 13
Drafting the result 7 days Wed 3/10/10 Thu 3/18/10 15
Submitting the final
report. 2 days Fri 3/19/10 Mon 3/22/10 16

This would be more effective in completing all project related activities and supporting
corporation to segregate all related activities in an effectual manner. Scope of the project-The current project has huge scope as it would be effective for
corporation to implement the corporate social responsibility and enable them to ensure
success of the business in the marketplace. This proves to be effective to for
accomplishing the long as well as short Cost and time of the project-According to the table it has been found that total 118 days
will be needed to plan and implement the proposed project effectively. Furthermore, total
cost incurred for the project will be 427 GBP. Quality required-The project will be completed with the association of highly skilled
personnel and increasing their attention towards the aim and objectives of the firm.
However, quality standards are taken into account so as to determine the success of the
project and implement the same effectively (Burke, 2013). Communication-The importance of communication is greater in implementing the
current project under Sainsbury. This would be effective to communicate the goals and
objectives of the project effectively and ensure that team members understand the same
effectively and implement it for accomplish the respective objectives.
 Resources-The project management in the current business will be completed with the
help of association of physical, human and financial resources. This aids to implement all
project related activities and support corporation to determine its success.

P3 Producing a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart to provide time-frame and stages for
completing reference to selected project
The work breakdown structure of the current project has been mentioned as follows. This
would be effective for corporation in the successful completion of the project and ensure
optimum utilization of limited resources in a most effective manner (Christenson and Walker,
2004). This would be effective for Sainsbury to follow the structured procedure in order to
achieve the specific aim and objectives of the project.

The critical path of the proposed project reflects to covers the activities such as
1+3+4+7+9+10+11+12+13+15+16+17. This aids to complete all the mentioned activities at the
same time so as to reduce overall time taken for the completion of the corporate social
responsibility project.

TASK 2
P4 Carrying out small scale research by applying quality and quantitative research methods to
meet aim and objectives of the project
Research methodology is very important for the completion of the investigation due to
association of several kind of method applied for the collection of information and analysis of
the same in an effectual manner (White and Fortune, 2002). The below mentioned
methodologies are applied in the selected sustainability project- Type of investigation-There are are two types of investigation such as qualitative and
quantitative. The study under consideration will be based on qualitative type of
investigation so as to conduct the in-depth analysis. It aids scholar to present the findings
with the help of detail analysis in the direction of aim and objectives. Research philosophy-The philosophy used under the research reflects views, perception
and assumption as well as values of scholar related to topic (Kothari, 2004). There are
basic two types of research philosophy such as positivism and interpretivism. The use of
positivism philosophy enable researcher to draw the analysis on the basis of available
figures or facts. Furthermore, interpretivism research philosophy is based on existing
information to scholar and application of the same in the field of research. Owing to this,
CSR implementation project is based on interpretivism research philosophy. Research design-There are three types of research design such as descriptive, exploratory
and explanatory. The application of the research design is decided in accordance with the
basis purpose of the research. The current project is based on descriptive research design
due to involvement of human participation in the study (Vaioleti, 2016). Research approach-The approach of research reflects that pattern of data collection that
which one is most suitable for the collection of data and application of the same for
producing valid outcome. Inductive and deductive are two types of research approach
where the previous one aims to start from the specific issue and the next reflects that
initiation from general theory. This would be effective in meeting the research aim and
objectives effectively and draw valid outcome accordingly.

 Data collection methods-There are two types of data collection methods such as primary
and secondary sources. The study under consideration is based on both primary and
secondary both in order to gather valid information and apply the same for the purpose of
producing appropriate outcome. For this purpose, primary data are collected with the help
of questionnaire method whereas available data such as journals, books and online
articles are referred for the collection of secondary data. This aid to meet the objectives of
research in an effectual manner (Panneerselvam, 2014). Sampling-Sampling refers to individual unit of population which aids to gather primary
data effectively and supporting in deriving the valid results. The sampling technique
applied for the current investigation is simple random through which respondents are
selected to reach the valid outcome (Reynolds and et. al., 2014). The sample size selected
for collection of the data are 20. It represents the entire population for the project in a
right manner.
 Data analysis-The procedure of data analysis plays important role whereby collected data
are analysed in the direction of aim and objectives. The method used for data analysis is
qualitative. Here, thematic analysis has been applied which is supported through it
becomes easy to derive valid outcome. However, the data collection portion is presented
with the help of frequency table and graphical representation. The chapter of data
analysis is done with in-depth analysis by focusing upon primary and secondary data.
Questionnaire
Name___________________________
Age
 18-30 Years
 31-40 Years
 41-50 Years
 51 and above
Gender
 Male
 Female
Q1. Do you know that Corporate Social Responsibility is essential for the business?

 Yes
 No
 Can't say
Q2. Do you think that implementing the CSR leads to decrease the profitability initially?
 Yes
 No
 Can't say
Q3. Do you agree that corporate social responsibility facilitate to achieve sustainable
objectives?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Q4. What aspect you must focus to implement CSR activities in Sainsbury?
 Ethical and legal practices
 Stakeholder’s interest
 Environmental protection
 All the above
Q5. Which of the below mentioned points will be considered to implement CSR activities
successfully?
 Environmental support
 Proper engagement of stakeholders
 Employment opportunities
 All the above
Q6. Do you think that CSR activities help in determining long run growth of the business?
 Yes
 No
 Can't say

TASK 3
P5 Analysing the research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
This is the most important section of the report under which collected data are analysed
in the light of stated aim and objectives. It would be effective to get the findings effectively in
the direction of aim and objectives so as to propose valid suggestions effectively.
Theme 1: Corporate Social Responsibility is essential for the business
Yes 85.00%
No 10.00%
Can't say 5.00%
The aforementioned graph reflects that 85% participants are in favour that corporation
social responsibility is helpful for the purpose of achieving the long as well as short term
objectives of the business. It is because with the help of such kind of activities business can
effectively contribute towards the well being of society and integrate all related activities in an
effectual manner. On the other hand, 10% respondents do not agree with the same stated with
corporate social responsibility is just the reason behind higher cost of the production. In addition
to this, 5% participants did not say anything about the same. This shows that firm need to focus
on corporation social responsibility so as to assess its positive impact on the overall performance
(Crawford, 2005).
Theme 2: Implementing the CSR leads to decrease the profitability initially
85.00%
10.00%
5.00%
Yes
No
Can't say

Yes 90%
No 10%
Can't say 0%
The data collected from primary research reflects that 90% respondents stated that
corporation social responsibility reduce the profitability of the business to a great extent. This
assists corporation to implement the activities in a cost effective manner and focus on the well
being of business in an effectual manner. On the other hand, 10% respondents are not in the
favour of associating of higher cost in the implementation of corporation social responsibility.
This is because it can be related to non-monetary activities also. This would be effective for
determining the well being of business. Therefore, it is important to shed light on effective
(Labuschagne and Brent, 2005).
Theme3: Agree that corporate social responsibility facilitate to achieve sustainable
objectives
Strongly agree 55%
Agree 25%
Neutral 10%
Disagree 5%
Strongly disagree 5%
The above mentioned table reflects that 55% participants do strongly agree with role of
corporation social responsibility. On the other hand, 25% respondents do agree with the same
90%
10%
Yes
No
Can't say

that corporate social responsibility play important role in achieving the sustainable objectives
and determining the long run success of the business in the marketplace. Furthermore, 10%
participants neither agree nor disagree with the contribution of corporate social responsibility in
achieving the sustainable objectives of the business. In addition to this, 5% participants disagree
whereas 5% respondents strongly disagree that corporate social responsibility contribute towards
achieving the sustainable objectives. This would be effective in cratering requirement of all
related parties and ascertain the success of the business (Söderlund, 2004).
Theme 4: Must focus to implement CSR activities in Sainsbury
Ethical and legal practices 15%
Stakeholder’s interest 25%
Environmental protection 25%
All the above 35%
55%
25%
10%
5%
5%
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree

The diagram mentioned above is showing that 15% respondents perceive the ethical and
legal practices are applied for implementing the corporation social activities. It enables business
to focus on the goals and objectives in a right manner. On the other hand, 25% respondents fond
that stakeholders interest must be considered by Sainsbury so as to effective address their issues
and other related activities. Furthermore, 25% employees of the company shed light on the
environmental protection so as to implement the corporate social responsibility and effectively
determine the success of the business in the marketplace. However, 35% workforce stated that all
of the mentioned aspects are important for the sustainable development of the business (Pollack,
2007).
Theme 5: Environmental support, employment opportunities and proper engagement of
shareholders are considered in implementing CSR activities successfully
Environmental support 25%
Proper engagement of stakeholders 15%
Employment opportunities 25%
All the above 35%
15%
25%
25%
35%
Ethical and legal
practices
Stakeholder’s interest
Environmental protection
All the above

The aforementioned report reflects that 25% participants do agree with the environmental
support whereas 15% stated that proper engagement of the stakeholders is the effective method
to implement the corporate social responsibility. It assists Sainsbury to determine its long run
success and retain the customers or clients. Furthermore, 25% respondents stated that
employment opportunities is created by the business for implementation of CSR activities and in
the same direction determine the success of the business. In this manner, 35% respondents stated
that varied methods are applied for the purpose of accomplishing the CSR objectives and
effectively determine success of the business (Winter and et. al., 2006).
Theme 6: CSR activities help in determining long run growth of the business
Yes 85.00%
No 10.00%
Can't say 5.00%
25%
15%
25%
35% Environmental support
Proper engagement of
stakeholders
Employment
opportunities
All the above

The aforementioned diagram is showing that 85% respondents do agree that CSR
activities has direct link with accomplishment of long term objectives of the business.
Furthermore, 10% participants ensures stated that without implementing CSR activities it is not
possible to assess the growth of the business but CSR is not only way to ensure the growth or
development of corporation. On the other hand, remaining 5% participants cannot say anything
about role of corporate social responsibility in achieving achieving the long term growth. This
proves to be effective for creating competitive edge of the business in the marketplace.
P6 Communicating appropriate recommendation as a result of research and data analysis to draw
valid and meaning conclusion
As per the collected information it has found that management need to implement the
following suggestion so as to complete the different activities. This aids to cater requirement of
the business in an effectual manner. Here, majority of participants stated that they need to work
to implement the activities related to corporate social. This in turn corporation get to know about
the potential effect of varied kind of CSR activities and its relevance with the competitive edge
of the business. It proves to be effective for management to address several issues in an effectual
manner. It contributes towards catering requirement of all related parties. This in turn firm can
85.00%
10.00%
5.00%
Yes
No
Can't say

expand business at global level. Furthermore, appropriate resources must be allocated to
complete the activities related to corporate social responsibility. In addition to this, all workforce
must be qualified and competent for the purpose of meeting objectives of the business and
supporting the related activities of corporation in a right manner. Moreover, poor performance of
the business can be managed through implementation of right kind of social activities and
ensuring its contribution towards the success of the business. Moreover, corporation social
responsibility aids to sustainable objectives in an adequate manner. In this manner, Sainsbury
can meet the expectations of all stakeholders and create competitive edge of the business. It has
been found that, customers, general community and other shareholders would be very happy
with appropriate corporate social responsibilities activities and its direct contribution towards the
success of the organization.
Recommendations
Performance of the Sainsbury can be improved and plan can be implemented in the
following manner-
 Financial resources should be allocated properly in order to implement the corporate
social responsibility effectively.
 Sainsbury train workforce effectively so as to implement all the related task in the
direction of aim and objectives of the business
 Social development can be done through creating employment opportunities and
satisfying the need and expectations of workforce in the right manner.
 Clear communication should establish so as to understand the requirement of different
stakeholders and apply suitable strategies to meet their expectations effectively.
 Cost effective alternatives can be used to reduce the indirect cost of production of
Sainsbury and implement the corporate social responsibility cost to a great extent.
 The participation of employees should be there into the decision making process. It
would be effective to motivate them and shift their focus towards achieving the long as
well as short term objectives.
 Customers' feedback should be taken so as to consider their views and suggestions so that
accordingly they can implement the most suitable strategies.

 Internal process should be updated in the Eco-friendly manner through which it becomes
easy to ensure optimum utilization of limited resources.
 The feedback of general community can also be taken just after implementing the most
suitable strategies of corporate social responsibilities. This proves to be effective in
delivering good quality of services.
 Sainsbury should also shed light on integrating the internal process and resources in the
line of aim and objectives so as to ensure its upward direction.
TASK 4
P7 Reflecting on the value of the undertaking the research to meet the stated objectives and own
learning as well as performance
The corporate social responsibilities is the important task in order to determine long run
success of the business. This proves to be effective to complete the activities related to society
and determine the strong goodwill of the business in the marketplace. While completing this
project, I came to know about vaird kind of methodologies applied for the data collection and
analysis of the same in the line of research aim and objectives. This facilitates to cater the
requirement of all related parties and stakeholders effectively. This enables me to apply my
existing knowledge in the field of research and derive valid outcome. For example, first of all I
collected data and analysed them to conduct the in-depth analysis so as to make it possible for
deriving the valid outcome. This contribute towards the successful completion of the project. Not
only this but I applied the project management tools in order to under the critical path of the
project. This enabled me to understand the longest path for completion of the activities and
accordingly acquire suitable resources so as to determine the success of the business.
Furthermore, I came to know about the use of financial resources in a cost effective
manner so as to reduce the indirect cost and save the budget of the business in an appropriate
manner. This support corporation to cater the specific requirement of the firm. It leads integrate
all stakeholders and make it possible for Sainsbury to expand at global level. However, I
ineracted with the respondents at the time of collection of primary data. This helped me to
effective understand the importance of corporate social responsibilities and level of
understanding related to the same among participants. On a critical note, I found myself poor in
the management of time. Owing to this, I applied appropriate strategies to complete all the

activities in an effectual manner. In this regard, I prioritize the task related to management of
project and completed all of the them one by one. This aids to reduce the risk associated with the
project. It proves to be effective for me to focus on my personal development also. In this
manner, completion of the present project was an achievement for me. At the same time, I got to
know regarding the segregation of project activities and its importance in the completion of the
project in an effectual manner.
CONCLUSION
The aforementioned report concludes that project management is more important for
integrating all related activities and ensure its direct contribution towards determining the long
run success. It can also be said that critical path method is considered as the most effective for
reducing the time taken to complete the project. Furthermore, qualitative method is considered as
the most suitable for collecting primary and secondary data and applying the same for the
purpose of deriving the valid outcome. In addition to this, CSR activities proves to be effective
for achieving the sustainable objectives. Hence, application of suitable methods make it possible
to implement the CSR project effectively and accomplishing all related activities in an effectual
manner.

REFERENCES
Journals and books
Turner, J.R., 2014. The handbook of project-based management (Vol. 92). New York, NY:
McGraw-hill.
Kerzner, H., 2013. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Burke, R., 2013. Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
Christenson, D. and Walker, D.H., 2004. Understanding the role of" vision" in project success.
IEEE Engineering Management Review. 32(4). pp.57-73.
White, D. and Fortune, J., 2002. Current practice in project management—An empirical study.
International journal of project management. 20(1). pp.1-11.
Crawford, L., 2005. Senior management perceptions of project management
competence. International journal of project management. 23(1). pp.7-16.
Labuschagne, C. and Brent, A.C., 2005. Sustainable project life cycle management: the need to
integrate life cycles in the manufacturing sector. International Journal of Project
Management. 23(2). pp.159-168.
Söderlund, J., 2004. Building theories of project management: past research, questions for the
future. International journal of project management. 22(3). pp.183-191.
Pollack, J., 2007. The changing paradigms of project management. International journal of
project management. 25(3). pp.266-274.
Winter, M. and et. al., 2006. Directions for future research in project management: The main
findings of a UK government-funded research network. International journal of project
management. 24(8). pp.638-649.
Kothari, C.R., 2004. Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Age International.
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Vaioleti, T.M., 2016. Talanoa research methodology: A developing position on Pacific research.
Waikato Journal of Education. 12(1).
Panneerselvam, R., 2014. Research methodology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
Reynolds, D. and et. al., 2014. Advances in school effectiveness research and practice. Elsevier.

Online
J Sainsbury plc. 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.j-sainsbury.co.uk/about-us/business-strategy-and-objectives/great-products/>.
[Accessed on 14th April 2017].