Managing a Successful Business Project

This report focuses on the skills required for managing and administering a project and the issues faced in terms of equality and diversity in an organization. It includes a case study on M&S, discussing project management plan, small scale research, and more.

Managing a successful
business project

Table of Contents
TOPIC..............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1) Aims and objectives.........................................................................................................1
P2) Project management plan.................................................................................................4
P3) Gantt chart and WBS.......................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4) Small scale research.........................................................................................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5) Present findings and data using appropriate tools and techniques...................................9
P6) Communicate appropriate recommendations................................................................13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................13
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the project..............................................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14

TOPIC
“To present skills which are required to manage and administer the project and to
recognise issues which are faced within concept of equality and diversity in an organisation.” A
case study on M&S.
INTRODUCTION
A successful business is associated with accumulation of efforts which are executed
within varied department and existed inside the organisation and assisting in attaining high
competitive edge in dynamic market (Polonsky and Waller, 2018). The businesses are required
to attain success and opportunities for development by adopting various strategies and
completing assigned task on timely manner. This is highly required that by inducing constructive
strategy abilities and capacities of the business get motivated. For attainment of goals this is
imperative by the organisation that skilled and talented workforce are inherited in which flow of
work can be managed by them in proper manner. It can be said that equality is an aspect which is
helping a business in enhancing their working operations and provide additional opportunities for
employment to them. Equality is related with adoption of practices in which employees are taken
care and provided with opportunities irrespective of their religion, culture, race, background and
many other constraints. In this context some challenges are faced which are propounds in respect
and acceptances, due to generation gap, language and communication barrier and many more.
This report is based on M&S which is a company dealing in fashionable clothing, accessories,
home décor and food items. M&S is having huge customer base in which they are providing high
quality products to customers. The following report is related with project execution plan, small
scale research.
TASK 1
P1) Aims and objectives
The equality within employees and organisation is helpful in improving working
performance of employees and their abilities as well. In the context of equality there are some
issues which are faced by employees such as language barrier, communication problem and
many more. These barriers are creating problem for employees in establishing proper
communication and effective interaction as well. Besides this there are various skills which are
managed by the project in order to have effective implementation. With the help of equality and
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diversity in the workplace abilities of the business can be enhanced through which equivalent
opportunities are provided to each and every working employees and improvement in career can
be seen in respect of various constraints. Similarly equality and diversity at workplace is helping
the business in working prospectus and business abilities in order to provide equal opportunities
to working employees in such a way that overall development can be seen to the business.
Diversity is having capacity to attract various candidates from different region and area and this
is helpful for the business in attaining positive value (Ćirić, Lalić and Gračanin, 2016). The
equality and diversity is accumulated in the business and assist in promotion of job culture and
reducing discrimination form workplace as well.
Aim: “To present skills which are required to manage and administer the project and to
recognise issues which are faced within concept of equality and diversity in an organisation.” A
case study on M&S.
Objectives:
 To enhance high knowledge regarding equality and diversity.
 To stipulate effect of equality and diversity in organisation.
 To recognise significance of equality within organisation.
 To understand various issues which are faced in context of equality and diversity.
 To establish measurement of equality and diversity in organisation.
Research questions:
 What is understood by equality and diversity?
 What is the major impact equality and diversity within organisation?
 What is significance of equality within organisation?
 To understand various issues which are obtained through equality and diversity?
 To perform analysis for issues faced within equality and diversity?
Literature Review
What is understood by equality and diversity?
As per perception of viewpoint of Nallusamy, 2016, equality is associated with providing
equal opportunities to all the employees and give them equal value to be treated fairly
(Nallusamy, 2016). The businesses are creating such environment by which discrimination can
be avoided. Within this all the employees are using organisational facilities in such a manner that
needs of the business can be fulfilled. This is exceptional from age, gender, race and many other
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dimensions. Business development is having high implications from equality in which
employees are are provided with prominent training so that to get success in their professional
life. On the other hand diversity is related with creating effective values in the organisation by
which appropriate workforce can be built and differential beliefs. The Equality Act 2010 is a
legislation law which protects employees from any unnatural aspect such as age, disability, belief
or gender resentment and many more .
What is the major impact equality and diversity within organisation?
As the standpoint of Sutrisna, Ramanayaka and Goulding, 2018, diversity and equality
which is included irrespective of employees number. So in the presence of thousand of employee
in office, factory, and many more. Equality and diversity is working in order to attain aims of
overall organisation by treating all employees to equal manner. By equality people are promoted
by avoiding unlawful practices such as harassment, discrimination, victimisation and many more.
Equality act is associated with 9 characteristics such as disability, age, race, sex, belief, religion
etc. diversity is helpful in order to face various challenges which are assisting business in
enhance their growth opportunities (Sutrisna, Ramanayaka and Goulding, 2018).
What is significance of equality within organisation?
According to Cha, Newman and Winch, 2018, diversity is taking out major assumption in
within mind those are related with age, gender, cultural background and many other constraints.
On the other hand diversity is defined as the dimension in which varied cultured people are
inculcated in the business along with varied capabilities. By inhaling perfect ratio of male and
female individuality of each worker can be developed and this is helpful in managing overall
capabilities as well. Numerous benefits are related with diversity and equality such as by
inculcating people with varied background development can be rendered in easy manner to the
business. This is helpful in making new innovations in business and earn high profits (Cha,
Newman and Winch, 2018).
To understand various issues which are obtained through equality and diversity?
As per concepts given by Sophia lee, 2020, diversity within organisation is helpful in
making high end priority and initiatives so as to take decision regarding better investment and
inhale success opportunities. This is helpful in enhancing benefits for the business which is
internal and external. Overall goals are promoted by equality and diversity due to this
organisational goals are aligned towards commitment and successful attribution.
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To perform analysis for issues faced within equality and diversity?
According to Young, 2016, in current time people are trying to understand experiences of
each other and prospect of the same. In this context in order to acknowledge differences
employees are working hard in order to eliminate those differences. With the major purpose to
maintain humanity equality is inculcated in the business and similarly language barrier are
removed. Diversity is having high issues such as emergence of miscommunication which leads
in delay of understanding. The generation gap is created when business is having varied aged
group employee this creates high complexities in the business (Young, 2016).
P2) Project management plan
This is a document in written form of basic factors in order to execute project on timely
manner and along with formative manner. This includes various dimensions such as monitoring,
execution, planning and implementation. With the help of these activities modification can be
rendered which are highly required in order to execute business strategies. Some of the
component of this are elaborated as under:
 Cost: This is a primary aspect within M&S in which proper budget is given to the
activities and researcher is required to complete their project in the given budget only.
This is helpful in attaining project objective on timely manner along with making the
project process easier so that to attain high accessibility. The budget within this project is
given as £68000.
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 Time: This is related with overall time which is given to the project in order to complete
the project within effective manner. This is wider aspect in which adequacy over funds so
that to avoid any delay. Within this project approximately 3 weeks are required. Scope: This is related to the output which is attained in order to accomplish target of the
project (Klarsfeld and et. al., 2016). This is significant that scope of the project is
required to be selected so that all the possibilities of a project can be seen in order to
achieve major objective of the project Quality: This is known as effectiveness of the proposed project in which project is
required to be completed. The impact of this aspect is high on running project and
probability of succession got increased. For researcher is trying to attain high quality
within project and achieve prominent place as well. Communication: This is a procedure in which researcher is trying to make effective
interaction along with all the other candidates those are associated with this project. This
is helpful in making project on timely manner as due to making prominent
communication with other parties purpose of research can be met in simpler manner. For
this purpose researcher tries to use various methods for communication such as phones,
computer, internet and many more. Risk: This is known as capabilities of research and to define prominent gain on which
project cam be completed. This is significant that risk is required to be removed so that to
eliminate any prominent complexities by which outcomes can be collected in prominent
manner. This is a factor which decides succession ratio of the project and by taking care
of risk chances of failure can be eliminated.
 Resources: This is associated with all the assets and other deliverable which are used
within a project and helps a project to get succeeded. In this project researcher needs
printer, proficiency human resource team, internet and many other resources so that to
finish their project on appropriate time frame along with high efficacy.
P3) Gantt chart and WBS
Gantt chart: This chart is utilised by researcher in order to manage the whole project in
such a manner that this could lead in attaining beneficiary results (Zecheru and Olaru, 2016).
This chart is helpful in order to attain high efficacy and Gantt chart is helping project to stay
within track and to attain pre decided task in full proof manner. This chart is assisting the
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researcher in tracking research and keeping an eye on the same so as to examine results in proper
manner.
6

Work Breakdown structure: This chart is related with breaking down whole activity within
smaller parts so as to develop output in such a manner that overall efficacy can be attained
(Sutrisna, Ramanayaka and Goulding, 2018) . This chart is helping the researcher in controlling
and measuring performance of the project and to attain the task by completing all of them in
sufficient manner.
TASK 2
P4) Small scale research
Research is known as a systematic investigation in which related information is provided
on some specific topic in order to frame high understanding on that particular topic.
Quantitative method: This is associated with relative information which is in form of
statistics, diagrams, graphs and tables. In this variant information is gathered in form of
mathematical interpretation and statistical formulations. The researcher is trying to manipulate
data by using various computational techniques (Sharma, 2016).
Qualitative method: This is the method in which unstructured data in which researcher
is conducting open ended questionnaire by collecting huge feedbacks. This is helpful in
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maintaining constructive knowledge on a particular topic in order to enhance relatability over the
project. Primary source: Under this source of data collection by conducting various surveys and
questionnaire and collecting feedbacks. Similarly this is a time taking process in which
proper outcomes can be examined (Hatipoglu and Inelmen, 2018).
 Secondary sources: Under this information are collected by taking help of magazines,
journals, articles, newspaper. This is helpful in order to create reliability within project
and attaining appropriate direction.
Sampling: This is known as a systematic procedure under which population is being
selected by the researcher on which they are willing to perform research. Under this project
sample size is 30.
Questionnaire
Quantitative questions
Q1) Do you understand regarding equality within business?
 Yes
 No
Q2) Do you accept that M&S is maintaining gender and cultural balance within their
workforce?
 Yes
 No
Q3) Is M&S putting efforts for promotion of equality and diversity in employees?
 Yes
 No
Q4) How M&S is promoting diversity within organisation?
(a) Fair placement methods
(b) By giving assortment in tasks
Q5) How M&S is trying to minimise adverse impact of equality and diversity within
workforce?
(a) By increasing employee engagement
(b) By accumulating feedbacks
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(c) By valuing functions of employees
Q6) What is the significance of equality within an organisation?
(a) Collecting creativity
(b) Enhancing brand image in marketplace
(c) By enhancing competitive advantage
Q7) How M&S is trying to introduce effectiveness in diversity.
a) Strong performance
b) Increased job satisfaction
Qualitative questions
Q8) What are the various strategies which are used by M&S in order to promote equality and
diversity within employees?
(a) Training and development
(b) Democratic leadership
Q9) How M&s is executing numerous initiatives in order to implement business
surroundings?
(a) Modifying leadership style
(b) Performance appraisals
(c) By providing symmetrical facilities to all
TASK 3
P5) Present findings and data using appropriate tools and techniques.
Q1)Do you understand regarding equality
within business?
Frequency
Yes 15
No 15
9

Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15 15
Interpretation: This can be understood out of 30 respondents, 15 respondents are aware
regarding equality in M&S whereas other 15 are not aware of this concept. Diversity and
assortment is highly beneficial in order to promote diverse culture and workplace efficiency.
Q2) Do you accept that M&S is maintaining
gender and cultural balance within their
workforce?
Frequency
Yes 18
No 12
10

Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
18
12
Frequency
Interpretation: From the above graph this can be interpreted that out of 30 employees 18
are keeping perception that M&S is maintaining gender and cultural balance within the
organisation and rest 12 are not recognising efforts of M&S towards gender and cultural balance.
Q3) Is M&S putting efforts for promotion of
equality and diversity in employees?
Frequency
Yes 20
No 10
11

Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
10
Interpretation: From the above graph this can be concluded that out of 30 employees 20
are having opinion that M&S is proactive in promoting equality and diversity within organisation
and rest 10 are having perception that this aspect is not exited in M&S. Diversified culture is
highly essential in order to attain positive benefits within organisation.
Q4) How M&S is promoting diversity within
organisation?
Frequency
a) Fair placement methods 20
b) By giving assortment in tasks 10
a) Fair placement methods b) By giving assortment in tasks
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
10
12

Interpretation: From the above graph this can be interpreted that out of 30 respondents,
20 respondents are having opinion that by adoption of practices of fair placements, on the other
hand rest 10 respondents are having opinion that by providing assortment in task M&S is
promoting diversity in their organisation. Diversity is associated with recruitment of varied
cultured workforce and this is resulting promotion of behavioural aspect.
Q5) How M&S is trying to minimise adverse
impact of equality and diversity within
workforce?
Frequency
a) By increasing employee engagement 10
b) By accumulating feedbacks 10
c) By valuing functions of employees 10
a) By increasing employee engagement
c) By valuing functions of employees
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10 10 10
Interpretation: From the above graph this can be interpreted that out of 30 candidates,
10 are coming out with an opinion that by enhancing employee engagement, M&S is trying to
minimise negative impact of equality and diversity. On the other hand 10 is having perception
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that by taking feedbacks efforts are put by M&S in order to minimise adverse impact of equality
and diversity. Whereas rest of 10 employees are having perception that by keeping high value for
employees negative impact of equality and diversity can be minimised.
Q6) What is the significance of equality within
an organisation?
Frequency
a) Collecting creativity 15
b) Enhancing brand image in marketplace 5
c) By enhancing competitive advantage 10
a) Collecting creativity
b) Enhancing brand image in marketplace
c) By enhancing competitive advantage
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
5
10
Interpretation: From the above graph this can be interpreted that out of 30 respondents,
15 employees are thinking that major significance of equality is collection of creativity. Other 5
respondents are understanding significance as enhancement of brand image and rest 10 are
having perception that significance of equality is enhancement of competitive edge.
Q7) How M&S is trying to introduce
effectiveness in diversity.
Frequency
a) Strong performance 20
b) Increased job satisfaction 10
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a) Strong performance b) Increased job satisfaction
0
5
10
15
20
25
20
10
Interpretation: From the above report this can be interpreted that out of 30 respondents
20 are having perception that M&S is trying to introduce effectiveness in diversity by taking out
strong performance. On the other hand 10 are having perception that M&S is introducing high
effectiveness in diversity by enhancing job satisfaction.
Q8) What are the various strategies
which are used by M&S in order to
promote equality and diversity
within employees?
Explanation
Training and development This is known as the most significant aspect
which is associated with development of various
aspects within M&S. Training is highly beneficial
for employees in order to make their path of
overall goal attainment. This leads in high
motivation in employees and enhancing their
performance as well.
Democratic leadership Under this leadership style working culture is
emphasised on including employees in decision
making. This is increasing involvement of
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employees by which overall motivation can be
rendered. This is promoting positivity in working
culture and provides guidance of employees. This
is making effective movement in employee
coordination by which high degree of leading can
be established (Syed and Ozbilgin, 2019)).
Q9) How M&s is executing
numerous initiatives in order to
implement business surroundings?
Explanation
Modifying leadership style Under this M&S is taking high initiatives for
guideline their employees in such a way that
impactful relationship can be build up and
coordination can be enhanced. On the other hand
by modification of leadership style high degree of
value can be inserted to the business.
Performance appraisals This is an initiative by which employees are
provided with incentives which is a factor of
motivation within business. This is helpful in
enhancing performance and motivating them as
well.
By providing symmetrical facilities
to all
This is required for the major purpose of
generating opportunities for equality. This is
enhancing working abilities for enhancement of
consistency within organisation. By rendering
equivalent facilities to everyone working
environment can be made better and improved
(Özbilgin and Slutskaya, 2017).
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P6) Communicate appropriate recommendations
The mentioned report is going to help organisation like M&S as it is related with over
strategy. The main focus of this particular strategy is to enhance the capabilities and skills of the
employee which is quite necessary. Some of the recommendations which are helpful has been
mentioned below:
 It is essential for business organisation to improve their working style for their employees
so that they can work effectively.
 In order to maintain effective communication among employees, communication can
play essential role.
 Each of the employee working in the organisation must show their participation in the
organisation for the purpose of improving their skills and ability (Dahanayake and et. al.,
2018)8.
TASK 4
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the project
The whole of this study has been helpful for me as it has guided that how any of the work
should be done while conducting any of the project. Secondly, the information which has been
collected is useful for the employees as it supports them to take effect decision at the time of
performing their task and responsibility. Talking about M&S, they should be able to focus
towards working norms because it will certainly uplift the safety of employees which is essential
within the premises of a company. There are other important information where I have enhanced
my knowledge and that has been effective as well such as Gantt Chart and WBS. Both of this has
been effective in obtaining the result. Even interpersonal skills must be used along with
communication skills at the time of having discussion within employees because it can certainly
allow to bring higher diversity in the business. Academic learning was the key source for me to
complete my task on given time period (Robson, 2017).
CONCLUSION
The finding that has been obtained from the above discussion states that any of the business
can become successful only in that respective condition where they are able to use collective
approach. It allows to build effective market through which profit can be enhanced. Along with
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it, it is equally important for any of the organisation to use different types of skills and talent
with their workers which can allow them to attain their targets.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Cha, J., Newman, M. and Winch, G., 2018. Revisiting the project management knowledge
framework. International Journal of Managing Projects in Business.
Ćirić, D., Lalić, B. and Gračanin, D., 2016. Managing innovation: Are project management
methods enemies or allies. International Journal of Industrial Engineering and
Management. 7(1). pp.31-41.
Dahanayake and et. al., 2018. Justice and fairness in the workplace: a trajectory for managing
diversity. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal.
Hatipoglu, B. and Inelmen, K., 2018. Demographic diversity in the workplace and its impact on
employee voice: The role of trust in the employer. The International Journal of Human
Resource Management. 29(5). pp.970-994.
Klarsfeld and et. al., 2016. Comparative equality and diversity: main findings and research gaps.
Cross Cultural & Strategic Management.
Nallusamy, S., 2016. Overall Performance Improvement of an Small Scale Venture Using
Critical Key Performance Indicators. In International Journal of Engineering Research
in Africam (Vol. 27, pp. 158-166). Trans Tech Publications Ltd.
Özbilgin, M. and Slutskaya, N., 2017. Consequences of neo-liberal politics on equality and
diversity at work in Britain: Is resistance futile?. In Management and Diversity.
Emerald Publishing Limited.
Polonsky, M.J. and Waller, D.S., 2018. Designing and managing a research project: A business
student's guide. Sage publications.
Robson, C., 2017. Small-scale evaluation: Principles and practice. Sage.
Sharma, A., 2016. Managing diversity and equality in the workplace. Cogent Business &
Management. 3(1). p.1212682.
Sutrisna, M., Ramanayaka, C.D. and Goulding, J.S., 2018. Developing work breakdown structure
matrix for managing offsite construction projects. Architectural engineering and design
management. 14(5). pp.381-397.
Syed, J. and Ozbilgin, M., 2019. Managing diversity and inclusion: An international perspective.
SAGE Publications Limited.
Young, T.L., 2016. Successful project management. Kogan Page Publishers.
Zecheru, V. and Olaru, B.G., 2016. Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) in Project Management.
Review of International Comparative Management/Revista de Management Comparat
International. 17(1).
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Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: To present skills which are
required to manage and administer the project
and to recognise issues which are faced within
concept of equality and diversity in an
organisation.” A case study on M&S
Date:
Update of weekly research/ tasks achieved
(Account for a minimum of six weeks with
dates)
What have you completed?
Did you fulfil Task requirements?
Are you on track and within deadlines set?
Did you need to make any changes to your
project management plan?
I have ended the whole project which is
related to recognition of various issues being
faced in the concept of equality and
diversity.
Yes, my task requirement as been met.
Yes
No, there was no much more requirement.
Any risks and / or issues identified?
Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of
skills required for undertaking research
tasks?
Did you identify any additional risks/issues
that have an impact on the project
Yes, while collecting the data.
Yes, at the time of managing the entire team.
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management plan?
Problems encountered
What barriers did you face?
How did you overcome them?
Collecting of necessary information related
to the project.
With the help of available soft skills.
New Ideas and change of project direction
Young, T.L., 2016. Kogan Page Publishers.
What Have I learnt about myself this week?
How did I feel when I had to deal with
tasks/problems?
How well have I performed? What did I
contribute?
What can I improve on next week?
How might this learning apply in the future?
Must be able to focus more towards my
weaker side of the project.
The required efforts in the project has been
given by me.
By pre-planning of the project.
At the time of preparing any of the similar
research.
Tasks planned for next week
Which tasks are priority?
Have you set aside sufficient time for
completion?
Collecting information via primary source.
Gantt Chart can be effective in this particular
process.
Project plan status to date (on, ahead,
behind)
Supervisor comments to address
Signature of the Supervisor and date:
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What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
The project is connected with “To present skills which are required to manage and administer
the project and to recognise issues which are faced within concept of equality and diversity in
an organisation.” A case study on M&S”
Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please outline any
evaluation and assessment undertaken?
The required result has been obtained by taking the reference of questionnaire.
What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the project?
Interpretation and research skills were helpful for me in finding out the result.
What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was there timely
identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
At the conducting research, sources of collecting information were the major problem and in
order to deal with situation efforts towards the work has been shown so that proper result can be
obtained where additional sources were used.
What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I have understood about the concept of diversity and equality and what are main reason of
raising issue in it.
How would you rate your performance as a management consultant leading the project?
I rate myself 8.5/10.
What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
Strengths: Research skills, effectual content
Weaknesses: Time and team management
How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
It aids to develop the personal and professional notion.
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