Managing a Successful Business Project

This document discusses the importance of equality and diversity in the workplace and explores strategies for implementing them. It also includes a project management plan, work breakdown structure, and Gantt chart. The document covers the topics of equality and diversity, advantages for businesses, strategies for implementation, and more.

Managing a Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................7
LO 3...............................................................................................................................................13
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................24
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................25
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................26

INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity at workplace simply means that providing value to diversity,
human rights and equality within the society as well as workplace. It also promotes equivalent
job opportunities to all employees at workplace that is helpful for them working freely in the
company without any discrimination (Boekhorst, 2015). For implementing equality and diversity
practices business managers also adopts different strategies that also contributes in attainment of
their business objectives in quicker manner. For completing current project, M&S is taken as
the base organisation. The company is UK based international retailer which was incorporated in
the year 1884. The report initially develops research aim, objectives and questions associated
with diversity and equality at workplace. Later, it will explain about PMP, work breakdown
structure and Gantt Chart. It also includes information on various elements of methodology
which supports in accomplishing research objectives in appropriate manner. In the last section, a
detailed description presented to express recommendation for company and reflection made on
overall research experience.
LO 1
Equality and Diversity can be considered as a term, which comprehends equal
opportunities for individuals without focusing upon any sort of element that can create
discrimination. Over the years, it is said to be one of the crucial legal obligation to protect
against discrimination. Basically, discrimination is something, which can be against anything
like gender, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, race, age, belief or race (Cottrill, Denise
Lopez and Hoffman, 2014). Over the years, it has been analysed that the subject i.e. equality and
diversity at workplace is playing an important role for business organisations. On the other hand,
if it is talked about equal opportunity then it is being considered as something, which can be
treated as a factor where individuals without making any sort of judgements made on them based
on stereotypes. Including this, many business organisations are dealing with this issue where
discrimination is one of the vital most factor, which impacted negatively upon different range of
strategies that has been developed by businesses to bring diversity and equality at the same time.
Basically, it is essential for a business firm like M&S to focus on this factor, because it is
related to both productivity and profitability of the company. It has been analysed that different
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range of skill sets within the workforce along with, the organisation has the opportunity to be an
employer of choice (Drews and Van den Bergh, 2016). Including this, if it is talked about United
Kingdom's legislations then these are built with equal job opportunities for both men and women
or without any sort of elements that can create discrimination among staff at a workplace.
Research aim:
“To investigate role of different strategies that supports in implementing equality and
diversity at workplace” A study on M&S.
Research Objectives:
 To determine information on equality and diversity at workplace
 To evaluate advantages of equality and diversity for M&S
 To find out various strategies which contributes in the execution of equality and diversity
practices at workplace.
Research Questions:
 What is equality and diversity at workplace?
 What are various advantages of equality and diversity for M&S ?
 What are the various strategies which contributes in the execution of equality and
diversity practices M&S?
Literature review
According to Durlak, (2015), equality along with the diversity at workplace is said to be
something which plays an essential role and helps in developing equivalent opportunities at
workplace. Giving every single individual with the chance to perform at workplace considering
their potential, along with free from prejudice or discrimination, can be considered as something,
which will bring high range of equal job opportunities for individuals. Including this, it is said
that for every single business organisation, it is vital to deliver equal opportunities for all the new
and existing workers. On the other hand, if it is talked about diversity then it is basically
something, which is celebrating or valuing an individual is different from the other. It can be said
that, diversity at workplace is majorly linked with advancing human rights and opportunities.
As mentioned by Galpin, (2014), equality and diversity majorly carries ample number of
benefits for a business organisation like M&S . Basically, it is said that equality and diversity are
relevant for workplaces for employing more people. The main objective of equivalence and
diversity to assure that everyone is having access to same opportunities (Kirton and Greene,
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2015). M&S ensures that all employees are treated equally and given fair treatment. Every
employee working in the company will be happy and satisfied if he or she is treated well and
good by employers. It is ensured by managers of the company that all employees are treated
equally and no biasses is there on the basis of disability, age, gender, civil partnership, etc.
As per the thoughts of Glatthor, (2018), there are different strategies which helps in
promoting inclusiveness and diversity within the organisation. Some of these are committing to
boost own cultural competency, educating own self, seeking out new ideas and perspectives and
promoting diversity a workplace. Cross cultural communication is an important skill required by
managers at workplace. If management knows all people's culture and backgrounds, then they
will have more understanding about their way of dealing business operations (Israel, 2017).
Workplace must be positive and employees must be encouraged for getting involved in business
activities.
Project management plan is considered as the confidential document which works as the
blueprint for researcher and other research oriented people. This also informs them about all
activities which will going to take place in whole time duration of research. The plan is consist of
different strategies and plans which are supportive in execution of overall project. With reference
to present research, investigator have develop PMP for better execution of this research. In this
regard, all elements of this plan are described below:
 Cost: It refers to the amount of money used for developing any product or service or
any activity. With reference to research, it can be said that for conducting every
investigation researcher requires some specific sort of money so that they can easily
conduct investigation in appropriate manner (Konrad, Yang and Maurer, 2016). In
relation to present investigation, researcher will require £50 for executing all activities
of this research. The chosen amount will sufficient for incorporating all activities which
will be supportive in accomplishing research outcome. In this, researcher will finalise
budget for each and every activity at the starting level only so that they can plan their
work accordingly.
 Scope: It is an important component in every investigation as it provides information
over actual scope of research in business zone and real life. In context of current
investigation, it has been analysed that scope of this research is vast for M&S as well as
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multinational business entities belonging to same sector. Completion of this research will
bring numerous of business opportunities for M&S. It will also provide new direction to
this industry that will increase its market share as well.
 Time: Time is considered as particular amount of time used up for the completion of
specific work. Time for every investigation is selected on the basis of work and
availability of time provided by superiors for its accomplishment (Rees and Smith,
2017). For present research investigator will require around 5 months to work
effectively on each and every area so that feasible solution can be obtained towards
the same.
 Quality: Investigator will maintain quality of research by taking all information from
authenticated sites. This will also be done by investigator by using all gathered
information from respondents as well as other secondary sources for this
investigation only. So that it can be used in rightful manner only.
 Communication: Execution of research work also requires effective communication
among all associated people. With the reference to present investigation on equality
and diversity at workplace, investigator will use medium of email, mobile phones,
regular based meeting etc. in order to develop certain strategies for making research
better and more reliable (Barnham, 2015).
 Risk: Main risk associated with the current investigation is misuse of respondents
information that may place impact over their confidentiality. This may also affect
reliability of the same research in future too because respondent may ask for claim in
future. That could also develop negative image of researcher as well as company at
marketplace.
 Resources: The present research conducted for M&S on the topic of equality and
diversity requires range of resources. This includes capital, labour, land, etc. so that each
and every organisational work could get completed within the provided time frame .
From the above mentioned project management plan, it has been analysed that all
these elements of this plan required to be evaluated by project manager so that they can
work accordingly. This is also helpful in developing appropriate strategies for the same so
that execute overall research work in rightful manner.
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Work Break down structure
It is the method of dividing the large projects into smaller components so the things can
be done faster in an effective way. It breaks down the work into a more manageable way.
Breaking down the project into team members leads to better productivity and cost effective for
the organization (Cacchione, 2016).
Gantt chart
Gantt chart is termed as representation work activities or task in the form of graph. It is
basically breaking down the activities of the project which can be done by a fixed period of time.
It keeps the organization updated about when the project will get completed and what are the
additional resources required to complete the project on time.
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The developed project management plan is helpful for researcher in developing their
knowledge about investigation and its associated term. The project management have also
supported in monitoring all activities associated with this investigation and helped them out in
developing effective schedule for the same. PMP includes various elements that includes scope,
size, cost, risk, resource, communication, time and quality. Usage of these elements have also
contributed in attainment of aims and objectives in quicker manner. Along with this, usage of
this plan have helped investigator in developing coordination among them. This was mainly
developed by increasing participation of individuals in investigation. This have also supported in
attainment of aim and objectives in rightful manner.
Project management process is consist of various elements which guides investigator in
availing all resources and use them effectively according to organisational work in appropriate
manner. Here, usage of Gantt chart and WBS is helpful in dividing all research work. This is
helpful in arranging all task in systematic manner. Usage of this will help investigator in
performing well with the clear followance of all responsibilities. Usage of both the primary and
secondary method have supported researcher in accomplishment of its specific aims and
objectives.
LO 2
At the time of conducting investigation, investigator prefers to adopt several methods for
making their work more relevant and effective manner (Flick, 2015). Usage of these methods
allows investigator in analysing gathered information in effective way that is helpful in obtaining
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true outcome for the same. Some of the main methods used by investigator in current
investigation are explained as below:
Primary research
Primary research is an in depth study of facts by the researcher to collect the original and
first hand data. It can be conducted through surveys, questionnaire, observations,interviews and
so on. Primary research is the long term process which requires a lot of money for the research. It
is an excellent skill to learn of collecting the data and can be used in variety of business,
academic and personal.
Secondary research
In this method required information is gathered from past data or already existing data.
This data can be collected by internet, public libraries, Educational institutions, magazines,
newspapers etc. it is less time consuming and expensive as compare it to the primary research.
secondary data is the analysis and interpretation of primary research done on the basis of
relevant information of the project (Harland, 2014).
In the primary method of data collection, investigator have given major preference to
questionnaire in which information will going to be collected from 50 respondents. In secondary
method of data collection Journals, online articles and books will be taken for consideration. The
preliminary motive of choosing both method is the by gathering secondary information it
become easier to determine the nature of study which supports in conducting proper
investigation that is performed through primary sources by considering secondary information as
evidence.
Qualitative research
It is a market research method of gathering the non numerical data that is used to increase
an understanding of reasons and opinions. The information gathered by respective method
involves human perception towards specific topic. The methods include group discussions,
observation, so on.
Quantitative research
It is a systematic way of collecting the numerical data and performing mathematical and
statistical information. Quantitative research is used when population is large or sample size is
large. The methods include sampling methods, correlation research, cross sectional
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surveys ,online surveys, online polls and so on. (Kumar, 2019). Quantitative research consist of
close ended question and it is highly structured way of collecting the data.
For analysing overall gathered information and data investigator will choose qualitative
research method in order to draw research outcome as per human knowledge. The main reason
behind selecting the qualitative research is that it help the researcher in performing in-depth
analysis of information by using a theoretical framework so that proper findings can be
presented in effective manner.
Questionnaire: It is defined as the set of questions that are developed by
investigators in accordance to grab maximum information from chosen respondents. For
current investigation, 50 respondents are selected by researcher. Respondents are being
selected by investigator among the stakeholder of M&S .
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10

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According to the above provided justification of using different research methods in
current investigation, it can be said that it allows investigator in gathering all associated
information so that better outcome can be obtained from it within the provided time frame. In
this, investigation, better understanding of questionnaire and its application in real life research
have been developed. This have also contributed in improvement of overall organisational
performance in appropriate manner.
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LO 3
Theme 1: Concept of Diversity and equality within company
Q1) Do you have knowledge about the concept of Diversity and equality
within company ?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
Interpretation: As per above described graph, it is interpreted that 40 people are aware
about with the respective concept. This is because they have read about it in their academic life.
Whereas, leftover 10 respondent have denied for the same because have not seen its application
in their work life.
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40
10
a) Yes
b) No

Theme 2: Practices associated with equality and diversity provides benefits to business
enterprises
Q2) Do you believe, practices associated with equality and diversity provides
benefits to business enterprises?
Frequency
a) Agree 30
b) Disagree 20
Interpretation: On the basis of above described pie chart, it is seen that 30 respondents
have expressed that they agree that diversity and equality provides benefit to company. On the
other hand, other 20 have said that it also brings various challenges for company that affects their
growth in negative manner.
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30
20
a) Agree
b) Disagree

Theme 3: Diversity and equality allows M&S in attaining its business growth objectives
Q3) Does implementation of diversity and equality allows M&S in attaining
its business growth objectives?
Frequency
a) Yes 35
b) No 15
Interpretation: As per mentioned diagram, it is identified that 35 people thinks that
execution of diversity and equality supports entity in attaining its business objectives this is
because there are higher number of opportunities for all. Other 15 respondents denied for the
same as according to them it also creates several kind of conflicts at workplace too.
15
35
15
a) Yes
b) No

Theme 4: Main benefits of equality and diversity which will be gained by M&S after its
implementations
Q4) As per your perception, what are the main benefits of diversity and equality
which will be gained by M&S after its implementations?
Frequency
a) Quick achievement of goals and objectives 15
b) Better workplace environment 15
c) Higher growth opportunities 20
Interpretation: The above represented diagram explains that as per 15 respondents quick
achievement of organisational objective is main benefit of diversity and equality. Other 15 have
said that it creates better workplace environment which works as its core benefit because
employees works in more devoted manner. As per Remaining 20 respondents, higher growth
opportunity can be seen as best benefit for M&S as it provides equivalent opportunities to all
employees at workplace.
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15
15
20 a) Quick achievement of goals
and objectives
b) Better workplace
environment
c) Higher growth opportunities

Theme 5: Best strategy for M&S through which they can easily execute diversity and
equality practices within organisational premises.
Q5) According to you, which one of the below stated is best strategy for M&S
through which they can easily execute diversity and equality practices within
organisational premises?
Frequency
a) Effective leadership 25
b) Top to down approach 10
c) Increasing employee participation at workplace 15
Interpretation: From above stated diagram, it can be said that 25 people thinks that
effective leadership is best strategy through which they can easily implement diversity and
equality practices at workplace. This is because, good leadership is helpful in influencing interest
of employees at work place. Whereas, 10 have said that top to bottom is approach for M&S .
And the remaining 15 respondents thinks that by increasing employee participation is best
strategy through which diversity and equality practices at workplace can be implemented in
effective manner.
17
25
10
15
a) Effective leadership
b) Top to down approach
c) Increasing employee
participation at workplace

Theme 6: Impact does equality and diversity places at workplace
Q6) As per your perception, which kind of impact does equality and diversity
places within the company?
Frequency
a) Positive 35
b) Negative 10
c) Neutral 5
Interpretation: On the basis of above mentioned graph, 35 respondents believes that its
impact is positive at workplace. Other 10 have expressed that its impact is negative on company.
Whereas, according to 5 respondents its impact is negative for businesses.
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35
10
5
a) Positive
b) Negative
c) Neutral

Theme 7: Execution of diversity and equality practices affects operational activities of
M&S.
Q 7) Do you believe, implementation of equality and diversity practices affects
operational activities of M&S ?
Frequency
a) Agree 45
b) Disagree 5
Interpretation: From above expressed graph, it is seen that 45 respondents thinks that
diversity and equality practices affects operational activities as it fluctuates working capabilities
of employees. Whereas, other 5 respondents have shown negative response as according to them
directly or indirectly these kind of practices are already enrolled in the company.
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45
5
a) Agree
b) Disagree

Theme 8: Major issues faced by employees of M&S at workplace
Q 8) As per you view point, what are the major issues faced by employees of
M&S at workplace?
Frequency
a) Anxiety at workplace 16
b) Demoralization 14
c) Inappropriate guidance by employees 20
Interpretation: According to above described diagram, it is seen that 16 people among
50 believes that anxiety is major issue at workplace because when clashes takes place anxiety
level among people automatically raises. Whereas, 14 respondents believes major error is
demoralizing of employees. The other 20 people have expressed that mainly employees faces
problems due to superiors as they are not providing appropriate guidance to them.
20
16
14
20
a) Anxiety at workplace
b) Demoralization
c) Inappropriate guidance by
employees

Theme 9: Diversity and equality supports in improvement of productivity of employees
Q 9) Do you believe, diversity and equality supports in improvement of
productivity of employees?
Frequency
a) Yes 32
b) No 18
Interpretation: Considering the above mentioned graph, it is being interpreted that
around 32 out of 50 respondents were in favour of diversity and equality, that it supports the
overall improvement of productivity of staff members. Including this, rest of 18 respondents
from total of 50 were not in their favour.
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32
18
a) Yes
b) No

Theme 10: Equality and diversity practices will allow M&S in retaining employees longer
at workplace
Q10) Does equality and diversity practices will allow M&S in retaining
employees longer at workplace.
Frequency
a) Agree 42
b) Disagree 8
Interpretation: Focusing upon the graph, it is being interpreted that around 42
respondents considered to be in favour of equality and diversity practices. Apart from this, only 8
has not mentioned the same and did not agree on it.
In order to perform current investigation in rightful manner, it is important for researcher
to make use of right and reliable method that supports them in developing accurate information
towards the same topic. This also results in accomplishment of organisational and objectives in
quick manner. For conducting current research in more reliable and authentic manner,
investigator makes use of secondary and primary method for achieving valid outcome on
research. Questionnaire is selected by researcher as the core primary source but for secondary
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42
8
a) Agree
b) Disagree

method they have gone for books, journals, online articles and other published sources for
gathering maximum information on the same.
Apart from this, at the time of conducting effective investigation for M&S I have
determined that employees faces problems related to equality and diversity at workplace as they
feels managerial team is making discrimination at workplace. For reducing this problem at
workplace, some recommendation have been provided to company that are described as below:
 Manager of M&S should conduct regular based training and development session for
workforce as where they can develop their knowledge on equality and diversity. This
will also improve their organisational performance as problems of employees associated
with the same will decline in sooner manner.
 The managers of M&S must conduct some of interactive sessions with employees for
determining various issues that are faced by organizational staff. This directly provides
time to management staff to resolve these issues in the starting time only. As a result, it
would be easier for them to satisfy needs and requirement of employees in timely
manner.
By conducting this investigation, I have analysed that M&S operates its business
activities at global marketplace. This awareness has also developed my knowledge over equality
and diversity at workplace which will support me in career growth. Also, by conduction this
research I got to know about different areas of improvement which is required to be noticed by
me so that I can take right decision on them. This have supported me in improving me decision
making process that will further support in executing effective investigation in future with higher
knowledge.
As per the overall analysis made from data analysis section, investigator have provided
several recommendation to manager of M&S through which they can easily execute diversity
and equality practices within the organisational premises. Some of the core recommendation for
this company are explained as below:
 Initially it is suggested to manager of M&S to follow all aspects of business ethics which
should also include equality and diversity practices. This will support company
developing better workplace culture for all employees (Long, 2016).
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 Furthermore, it is advisable to management department of M&S to conduct regular based
meeting sessions for all employees so that issues related to demoralization and anxiety
can be overcome effectively.
 At last, it is suggested that for implementing equality and diversity practices the company
is required to conduct training sessions for employees for developing their knowledge
over the work as well as these practices in effective manner (Mukhopadhyay and Gupta,
2014).
LO 4
Throughout my overall experience developed from this investigation conducted on
equality and diversity at workplace, I have gone through range of experiences. Some of
these experiences were good on the other hand others have made be learnt many things. In
this research, I have used questionnaire but instead of this I will prefer to use interview
method in future as it is good for the research and will also allow me to obtain more relevant
outcome on the same.
Critical review: With the help of above mentioned reflection it has been said that I
have face both positive and negative impact. Positive factors of the research is that my skills
and knowledge is enhanced in a positive way. This as a result provide me various
opportunities at the competitive marketplace. On the other hand, negative factor is that while
gathering data from respondents, some of the individuals does not provide correct
information which affect the whole authenticity and reliability of the result.
While executing the respective investigation, I have learned that project management
process is considered as an important part of every research which is helpful in making their
project successful. By grabbing high information on the same concept I got to know that by
using this I can easily implement all activities at attain project associated goals in quicker
manner. By having effective knowledge on cost and resources it was easier for me to arrange all
activities in such a manner that utilises all activities in highest manner.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report, it is comprehended that diversity and equality practices
are helpful for every company working at international marketplace. The report has identified
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that there are different strategies which are required to be used by business managers so that they
can retain workforce within the entity for longer duration. It can also be said that business
associations are required to promote equality and diversity so that maximum number of
opportunities can be obtained by them at workplace. The report is comprised of various methods.
Among them all researcher have used qualitative research method as it supports them in
obtaining research outcome with the support of human perception. Along with this, questionnaire
have been developed by investigator for collecting information from primary method.
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