Managing a Successful Business Project

MANAGING A
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
PROJECT

INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity is the broad term which aid in the success of every company. Such
that it is also define as the promoting equal opportunities within the workplace. The current
report is also assist to perceptive equality and diversity at workplace. The selected firm for this
study is Boots Plc which is the health and beauty retailer and pharmacy chain in UK. Study
describe project management plan in which it include all the key element that assist to complete
the entire task in finer mode. Further, using primary and secondary research methods, researcher
also conduct the investigation in amended mode and aid to achieve the specify purpose and
objectives. Also, investigation provide findings under data analysis section and then provide
recommendation on the basis of findings.
Aim: “To investigate the issues faced by the company due to high gender pay with regards to
maintenance of equality and diversity- A study on Boots plc”
Objectives:
 To analyse the thought of gender pay
 To analyse the importance of maintaining equality and diversity at workplaces
 To evaluate the negative effect of gender pay gap at Boots Plc.
 To examine different issues faced by Boots Plc in state to keep equality and diversity
 To recommend the best way through which company may overcome challenges.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN
It is the pattern of initiating, preparation, executing, dominant and concluding the work so
that it will achieve the define aim and objectives in better manner (Foster, 2019). Through this,
project manager also conduct the entire investigation in amended mode and absolute the definite
aim and objectives as well.
Cost: One of the most effective component of the research management plan which
describe the budget that researcher require in order to absolute the task in better mode. For this
study, investigator need £260 which includes transportation cost, internet cost, raw material
etc.
Scope: For the current study, the scope of the project is such that, companies will
determine the importance of having equality and diversity at workplace. Also, it will assist
researcher to find out best ways through which the value of equality and diversity at workplace is

identified. Another scope of the research is such that it assist to generate alternative ways of
maintain diversity at workplace.
Time: Another important element and it is the work breakdown structure which shows all
the activities which researcher perform during the entire project. For the current project,
researcher require at least 168 days to accomplished the task in better style. Further, the schedule
of the project is describe under gantt chart and work breakdown structure (Klein, 2016).
Quality: This key component also ensure that quality of products which are used by
researcher should be perfect and accurate. Such that for this current study, researcher require
skill labour workforce and advance technologies that make sure that research is conducted in
better manner.
Communication: Another component which maintain transparency within the
stakeholders. Such that for the current study, researcher maintain or build communication plan so
that all the information must be passed to all members so that it will assist to meet the defined
aim and objectives in better manner. It is so because there are many stakeholders and that it is
why having an effective communication plan will assist to deliver best outcomes and meet the
deadlines as well
Risk: It is one of the most important element which should be managed, because every
project have risk and it is the duty of project manager to make sure that risk are minimized
(Morden, 2017). Therefore, to overcome risk, project manager also maintain risk register and
communicate every type of risk within a stakeholders so that entire team become aware and
manage work accordingly. This will assist to meet the defined aim and objectives in better
manner.
Resources: It is the key element who support project manager to complete the project on
time. Therefore, for this project, researcher require human resources, technological resource and
financial resources through which investigator may easily achieve the specify purpose and
objectives in better manner. For human resource, make sure that it require skilled labour
workforce who assist to absolute the task in defined deadline. Or else, investigator also use
technological resource for that advance technology is used to meet the defined aim and
objectives.
WORK BREAKDOWN AND GANTT CHART
WBS

Gantt chart

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY RESEARCH
Literature review
According to Abankina and et.al., (2016) equality and diversity is to promote equal
opportunities within the workplace in order to maintain positive working environment at
workplace. Moreover, most of the company faces issue with regards to gender pay gap and this
in turn affect the overall working productivity of an individuals. Keisu and Ahlström (2020)
stated that gender pay gap is the normal sameness between wage for men and women who are
employed in company. Such that most of the women are less paid and this is because of old
thinking. Moreover, it is also analysed that as per the statistical analyses, 2019 it is also observe
that company are working less as compared to women and this in turn affect creates negative
environment.

On the other side, Levin and Thoresson (2020) examine that equality and diversity must
be followed by company because it will assist to provide same opportunities at workplace. It is
quite essential for the firm to pay equal without discriminating men and women, such that it will
assist to improve the overall productivity of the firm as well as employees. Moreover, through
equality and diversity, company's brand image is also sustained and even employees also respect
to each other. While, Kronberg (2020) evaluated in their study that it also increase exposure at
different kinds of people and this in turn leads to improve its financial performance too. Further,
through diverse workforce, company's employees also share their own ideas and also bring
creativity at their workforce to achieve the purpose and objectives. Moreover, workplace equality
and diversity and at the work is also assist to increase employee production level and this in turn
leads a business at further level of success.
Eden (2020) stated that providing equal opportunities to all the employees will also leads
to generate the best outcomes and increase the employee morale. Further, when morale of
employees will increases then it raise the production level of the organization and as a result, it
leads to improve the financial performance. On the other hand, Grossman (2020) stated that if
company have varied workforce, then it will assist to maintain positive working environment
with fairness, dignity and tolerance. Therefore, it is clearly reflected that when company have
good and effective workforce then it will assist to creates positive impression upon staff and
employees.
Takenoshita (2020) provide their views with regards to equality and diversity that
company faces many issue such that it perception of people is consider one of the biggest issue.
Such that most of the company think that they cannot execute the same activity as men do and
this leads as a challenge within the company. Moreover, it is also analysed that due to many
cultural changes and different perception, also leads to creates negative impact upon employee
mind-set. For instance, during recruitment, most of the manager did not prefer to recruit women
because of their old thinking and wrong perception wit regards to women. That is why, these
challenges affect the general show of the organization in negative manner. On the other side,
Hercegovac, Kernot and Stanley (2020) stated another challenge i.e. barrier which stop women
advancing further in their profession and this in turn creates hindrance. That is why, it is clearly
analysed that wrong perception and negative mindset are consider top challenge for the
company.

Keisu and Ahlström (2020) examine that if company provide effective training session to
their employees and manager then this will assist to minimize the issue. Further, during these
training session, employees must be aware so that it will leads to provide positive working
situation at work. Therefore, these effective strategies also leads to creates affirmative impact
upon the business and also improve the overall performance of a company too.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
It is considered to be one of the effective procedures because it helps in selecting the best
possible information associated with the topic. This helps in properly investigating the reliability
and overall validity of the study.
Research methods: It is a strategic procedure which is very relevant for uncovering new
set of data associated with the topic. This is categorized into quantitative and qualitative research
methods. Quantitative data is an approach which helps in measuring data in numeric terms. This
method helps in emphasizing on objectively measuring data through numerical analysis of the
data (Robson and et.al., 2020). This can be done with the help of questionnaires, polls, pre-
existing statistical data, surveys, etc. Qualitative research approach is based on certain set of
observation which has been gathered through the collection of non- numerical data. The
researcher of the study has opted for qualitative methodology approach with the help of
interviews, open ended surveys, history, focus group, content analysis, observation, etc.
Research philosophy: It is considered to be as a belief and a specific phenomenon
according to which the data must be gathered and predicted. This is categorized into
interpretivism and positivism approach. Interpretivism approach is useful because it tends to
combine human involvement within the specific study. Positivism approach tends to emphasize
on gaining factual knowledge in order to gain insight on key material facts (Brown and Rhoades,
2019). The researcher of the study has opted for interpretivism approach in order to carry out
qualitative analysis.
Research approach: It is a planned structure based on certain assumptions in order to
solve various set of research problem. This is categorized into deductive and inductive approach.
Inductive method starts with the proper reasoning which in turn helps in reaching conclusions.
Deductive approach focuses on exploring the known phenomenon in order to test the valid
circumstance. The researcher of the study has opted for inductive approach in order to solve

specific research problem i.e. high gender pay with regards to maintenance of equality and
diversity
Research design: It is a framework which helps in analysing various variable and
components of the study. This is categorized into exploratory and descriptive design methods.
Exploratory design helps in explaining and exploring on various aspects and patterns of the study
(Briggs and Coleman, 2019). Descriptive approach focuses on effectively observing the
behaviour without influencing the subject matter. The researcher of the study has opted for
descriptive research design through which researcher attain aim i.e. to determine the issue due to
high gender pay with regards to maintenance of equality and diversity at workplace.
Data collection- For doing the research the most important part is the data on which the
whole research is being based. The data can be collected from two different sources that is
primary and secondary data. The primary is a source from which first hand data is being
collected and is used for the first time. Whereas secondary data is already established data which
has already being used for some other purpose (Kumar, 2019). For the current project blend of
both primary and secondary source is being selected as this provide both fresh and beforehand
used data. Thus, this provides a more good set of data and also attain the define aim i.e. to
investigate the issues faced by the company due to high gender pay with regards to maintenance
of equality and diversity
Sampling- This is defined as the selection of some participant form the whole population
for the project to be carried on. This sample is being selected because the large population cannot
be studied and result will not be analysed properly. Thus, for this some sample is selected on
basis of random sampling and study is continued. For current study sample of 30 employees of
Boots plc is selected. Random sampling is being selected because of the fact that under this
method every participant has probability of getting selected (Bresler and Stake, 2017.).
Data analysis- This is the crucial step in completion of the project because the whole
project is based on the data which is being collected. Thus, for this the use of thematic analysis
of data is done. This is majorly because of the fact that this helps the researcher in interpreting
the data in proper manner. This also includes the use of tables charts and graphs and this makes
the research more presentable and attractive for viewer (Ledford and Gast, 2018). Moreover,
using thematic data analysis method researcher also assist to meet the define aim i.e. to

investigate the issues faced by the company due to high gender pay with regards to maintenance
of equality and diversity.
Ethical consideration- This is the most important part of the project because if the
working will not be done keeping in mind the ethical and moral issues then the research
outcomes are much better. The major ethical issue is that the research must get signed the ethical
approval and consent form from the participants. This is because for the research sometimes
personal data of participants is used so it is the duty of researcher to ensure that data is safe and
secure. Another ethical issue is that the data needs to be collected from all valid and authentic
sources only. This is majorly because of the reason that if data will not of good quality and
relevance then the research will be of no use.
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
Theme 1: Familiarity with Gender pay gape
Particular Number of respondent % of respondent
Yes 27 90
NO 3 10
Total 30 100
Yes NO
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
90
10
Column I

Interpretation
Data collected with the help of primary data collection tool has helped in interpreting
that there is good level of understanding about the topic of Gender pay gape in the Firm. This
will help Firm in being good amount of the decision in the organization very easily as all the
employee will understand the purpose of bringing the different change in the policy of the
organization. As the survey constructed as shown that out of 30 respondent 27 employee has said
yes that are familiar and 3 respondents has said that they are not that clear.
Theme 2 :Good to have Equality and Diversity in term of Productivity
Particular Number of respondent % of respondent
Yes 27 90
NO 3 10
Total 30 100
Interpretation
Data collected by conducting the survey has shown that equality and diversity in the Firm
used to has a good sort of linkage with the productivity of the business in long run of the
Yes NO
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
90
10
Column I

business. As collected data shows that out of the total pool of 30 respondent 27 respondent has
gone with the option of yes and only 3 respondent has gone against the same opinion. This is
well supported by the Literature review section of the study.
Theme 3 : Best way to bring equality and diversity in an organization
Particular
Number of
respondent % of respondent
Promoting equal opportunity between employee 5 16.6666666667
Bringing different prevention regarding
discriminations 3 10
Improving recruitment policy regarding different
culture 21 70
Improving recruitment policy regarding different
culture 1 3.3333333333
Total 30 100
16.6666666667
10
70
3.3333333333
Promoting equal opportunity
between employee
Bringing different prevention
regarding discriminations
Improving recruitment policy
regarding different culture
Improving recruitment policy
regarding different culture

Interpretation
Above data has helped in interpreting that majority of the respondent is having the
opinion that hiring the employee from diverse background used to help company I managing
equality and diversity in an organization as out of 30 respondent 21 has gone with the option of
the same. This is well supported by the literature review section of the study. Remaining 5,3 and
1 respondent has gone with the opinion of Promoting equal opportunity between employee ,
Bringing different prevention regarding discriminations and Improving recruitment policy
regarding different culture.
Theme 4 : Common factor on which equality and diversity take place
Particular Number of respondent % of respondent
Race & religion 5 16.6666666667
Gender 21 70
Different factor related to
social factor 3 10
Culture and Language 1 3.3333333333
Total 30 100

Interpretation
This data has helped in supporting the topic of the issue as with the help of the collected
data it has been interpreted that gender, age and sexual orientation are the biggest factor on the
basis of which discrimination used to take place in the organization. As the collected data shows
16.6666666667
70
10
3.3333333333
Race & religion
Gender
Different factor related to
social factor
Culture and Language

that 2 respondent out of the total 30 respondent has above opinion . Literature review section of
the report also explains that gendered pay gape is one of the biggest way through which
discrimination used to take place at the workplace. Remaining 5. 3,1 respondent has gone with
the opinion of Race and religion, Different factor related to social factor and Culture and
Language
Theme 5 : Reducing gender pay gap within workplace helps in creating good work force
Particular Number of respondent % of respondent
Yes 27 90
NO 3 10
Total 30 100
Interpretation
After going through data collected it has been interpreted that reducing gender pay gape
in the Firm can help Firm in building good human power in the organization. As majority of the
respondent has gone with the choice of yes. 27 respondent out of total pool of 30 has gone with
the opinion of the yes and remainder 3 respondent has gone with the opinion of no. This is well
supported by the LR section of the study.
Yes NO
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
90
10
Column I

Theme 6 : Main cause of gender pay gap in retail sector
Particular Number of respondent % of respondent
Women have different personal
responsibility 2 6.66
Wrong perception regarding
women 3 10
Business not allowing women
to advance 3 10
All of these 22 73.3333333333
Total 30 100
Women have different personal responsibility
Wrong perception regarding women
Business not allowing women to advance
All of these
0
20
40
60
80
6.66 10 10
73.3333333333
Column H

Interpretation
Collected data help the scholar in interpreting that there are more than one perception
which used to build the impact of the gender pay gape in the organization. As collected data
shows that out of the total pool of 30 respondent 22 respondents has gone with the opinion of all
of above which means that they think gender pay gape is caused in the organization due to
perception that Women have different personal responsibility, Wrong perception regarding
women, Business not allowing women to advance. Remaining 2, 3, 3 employee has gone with
the opinion of Women have different personal responsibility, Wrong perception regarding
women, Business not allowing women to advance.
Theme 7 : Biggest impact of Gender pay gap
Particular Number of respondent % of respondent
Employee Conflict 22 73.3333333333
Negative environment 5 16.6666666667
Communication down fall 1 3.3333333333
All of above 2 6.6666666667
Total 30 100

Interpretation
The above analysis shows that here has been a huge impact of equality and diversity in
the organisation and its environment. It is seen that the majority of the people believe that the
difference between the gender pay gap has major impact over the employee relations. This
causes employee conflicts, it is seen that the businesses where there is discrimination between
employees due to gender pay gap. It affects the business and working environment of the
organisation. 16 % of the the respondents believe that it creates a negative environment. People
working in the organisation tend to lose motivation when they are not paid on equal basis even
on working with equal efforts.
Theme 8 : effect which discrimination used to have on employee in an organization
The impact of discrimination between the employees is most of the times negative.
Organisations should have a culture where the workers are treated equally. When the employees
are not treated equally they tend to lose the motivation and confidence in themselves. These
workers do not remain productive and efficient. They do not work with full efficiency and
73.3333333333333
16.6666666666667
3.33333333333333
6.66666666666667
Employee Conflict
Negative environment
Communication down fall
All of above

capacity with which they can work. All the employees work together for the growth and success
of organisations discriminations affects their emotions and they do not work with higher
efficiency.
Theme 9 : Solution for Gender pay gape
Organisation facing discrimination are not having the same productivity and healthy
environment as are seen in the organisations treating their employees equally. The things which
are affecting the achievement of goals and objectives of business are required to be stopped. For
reducing the discriminations company should implement the equality in its core values and the
seniors and executives are required to follow them strictly. Company should implement policies
are the employees are paid on the basis of their performance and working ability and not on the
basis of gender. Company should implement strict rules and regulations where the people are
been paid equally without any discrimination.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Conclusion
By summing up above, it has been ended that equality and diversity plays an effective
role in the success of business. Such that current study also concluded that by treating men and
women both at equal manner will help to creates positive impact upon business as well as
employee performance. Moreover, through literature review section it is concluded that having
diverse workforce leads to bring new ideas and share the experiences as well that will assist to
maintain positive working environment. Using qualitative research methodology, researcher also
concluded that number of the responder are wholly accept with the argument that if company
discriminate people on the basis of gender pay gap then it will affect the employee performance
in negative manner.
Moreover, it is also concluded from the data analysis section that change in perception,
women has to be care for their children are consider the top challenge that affect the overall the
business performance. Overall it is also concluded that managing equality and diversity at work
will assist to better the brand image of the company and also increases the overall performance
level of employees in order to achieve the meet the outlined purpose and objectives.

Recommendations
 From the above, it is recommended to the company to conduct effective training session
for their employees that will assist the employees to change their perception and also
respect each others. Even in training session, trainer must realize the importance of
equality at workplace so that it will assist to maintain positive working environment.
 Moreover, it is also recommended to company to provide incentives and reward to their
employees without any discrimination. This will further helps to increase the productivity
and they learn to work in a team. This in turn helps to maintain the positive impact upon
business and also improve the financial performance as well.
 Lastly, it is recommended to the investigator that they may use Quantitative research
methodology in which SPSS tool is utilised that helps to generate positive results. This
tool is completely rely upon the statistics and raw number that helps to provide accurate
outcomes in order so that it will assist to meet the define objectives at proper deadline.
REFLECTION
Conducting the Research for the Boot has helped me in gaining variety of the different
information regarding the topic which has helped me in building good sort of knowledge and
skill to be used by me in the future to carry other research in the future. Knowledge which was
gained by me was about the topic of the research. As in the past I was not having that sort of
knowledge about gender pay gape but this report has helped me in gaining the same. Also this
report has helped me in gaining the information about how to conduct the research in the
organization but by conducting this research now I am confident enough to conduct any research
in future.
Skill which was gained by me was the communication and sourcing skill. As this
research has drive me to source variety of the information to conduct the research . This has
helped me in building good sourcing skill. After that this research has helped me to communicate
with the different team mate in the system. This is has aid me in building good abstraction and
team work skill in me.
There were many limitation of the study as well, the biggest out of the all was to find out
the best source through which data should be collected to conduct the study but by taking help of
different tutor I was able to over come the same very easily. Also time allotted was not adequate
to absolute the study but by taking aid of the unit member I was able to overcome the same.

REFERENCES
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Appendix
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
1.Familiarity with Gender pay gape?
 Yes
 NO
2. In your though is equality and diversity can improve the productivity of the business?
 Yes
 NO
3 According to you, what is the most effective measure to promote equality and diversity?
 Promoting equal opportunity between employee
 Bringing different prevention regarding discriminations
 Improving recruitment policy regarding different culture
 Training employee in an organization
4. Common factor on which equality and diversity take place ?
 Race & religion
 Gender
 Different factor related to social factor
 Culture and Language
5.Is gender pay gape used to build good human resource in an organization
 YES
 NO
6 According to you reason which used to cause Gender pay gape?
 Women have different personal responsibility
 Wrong perception regarding women
 Business not allowing women to advance
 All of these

7. Biggest impact of Gender pay gape?
 Employee Conflict
 Negative environment
 Communication down fall
 All of above
8. According to you effect which discrimination used to have on employee in an organization?
9. Major solution for gender pay gape?