Managing a Successful Business Project

This document explores the aim, objectives, project management plan, research methodologies, data analysis, and findings of a successful business project. It covers topics such as managing diverse culture, equality and diversity policies, and the impact on employee workforce.

MANAGING A
SUCCESSFUL BUINESS
PROJECT

Contents
LO 1.................................................................................................................................................1
P1Aim and objectives..................................................................................................................1
P2 Project Management Plan.......................................................................................................2
P3 WBS and Gantt Chart.............................................................................................................3
LO 2.................................................................................................................................................4
P4 Research methodologies.........................................................................................................5
LO 3.................................................................................................................................................8
P5 Data analysis and findings......................................................................................................8
P6 Recommendation as results of data analysis and findings...................................................17
LO 4...............................................................................................................................................19
P7 Reflection.............................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1
QUESTIONNAIRE.........................................................................................................................2

LO 1
P1Aim and objectives
Background-
Diversity can be described as culture; generational differences that are available in
business unit. Workforce diversity aids in getting more ideas and skills that may help business in
gaining competitive advantage. Equality is the important part of firm; HR of every firm ensures
that every person is getting equal opportunity in the organisation. Judgement, performance
appraisal must be done purely on the bases of performance of employee rather than their physical
appearances, gender, race etc. Gender discrimination is the major concern in modern
organisation. Companies are giving lack of development or career opportunities to female
candidates. As management believes that female workers cannot pay much attention on their
work and they have lack of efficiency. That is the reason that most of the firm promote their
male employees. Government of UK has made necessary changes in the employment law to
promote equality at workplace. Now every company has to ensure that every person get equal
rights and opportunity in the firm.
Aim-
“To evaluate strategies that are used by companies to build diverse and inclusive
workforce: A study on ASDA”
Objectives-
 To understand the conceptual framework of equality and diversity
 To describe the extent to which gender discrimination affect the company’s performance
 To analyses initiatives that must be taken by ASDA to reduce gender discrimination at
workplace and to build an inclusive workforce
Research Questions-
 What is the meaning and importance of equality and diversity?
 Explain to what extent gender discrimination affect the company’s performance?
 What measures and initiatives should be taken by ASDA to reduce gender discrimination
at workplace and to build an inclusive workforce?
1

P2 Project Management Plan
A project management plan helps in ascertaining and evaluating the different aspects
related to the project management and manage all the activities accordingly. Some of the major
points that will affect the research that the researcher will undertake involve:
Cost: The cost factor determines that what are the different costs that will be incurred in
conducting of the researcher and then the amount that will be necessary in implementing the
recommendation that have been identified in the company (Singh and Kishor, 2018). In the
current research there would be a total cost requirement of £ 100.
Scope: The scope of this research exceeds to the analysis of the different tools or mechanisms
that are used by the companies in order to incorporate equality and diversity in the company.
This will help in increasing the strategies that is adopted by the company while recruiting and
selecting their employees.
Time: The time required in order to conduct the research will be an approximate time
frame of 7 weeks. The researcher will conduct the research in an effective manner and the
practices undertaken will be effective where the data collected will be in an efficient manner.
Quality: The quality aspect of the research can be used to ascertain the collection of the
data and then conducting the research in a relevant manner. The quality aspect of the research
will also help in ascertaining that in the researcher, the data collected by the researcher is
realistic and helps in collection of relevant and resulting data.
Communication: The communication aspect is a major part in the research which ensures
that the research is completed in a relevant manner and the results are communicated effectively
(Pantiyasa and Michelle, 2017). The researcher will communicate the findings of the research by
identifying the different stakeholders interested in the company and the research and then
communicating the results effectively such as the customers, the owners, the managers etc.
Communication will be done in a written report or research thesis format.
Risk: The risk aspect of the research will illustrate that what are the different risk factors
that the researcher might encounter while undertaking the research. The information will be
collected from the accurate sources to minimize the risk of doing faulty interpretation. Time
related risk must also be minimized by the researcher.
Resources: There are variety of resources that the researcher will require for the
researcher that is being undertaken such as requirement of technological data, human resources
2

etc. in the current research, the researcher will use a variety tools and techniques that will help in
collecting the data form primary and secondary sources in a relevant manner.
P3 WBS and Gantt Chart
WBS is the work breakdown structure that will help in classifying all the activities that need to
be performance while undertaking the research in an systematic manner (Owens and Patel,
2019). Different activities are classified under different headings and then each activity is
allotted a specific timeline.
Gantt Chart is the representation of the time taken for each activity and then identifying the total
time that will be taken. It also helps in deciding what is the critical patch that should be adopted
in order t complete the research.
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LO 2
4

P4 Research methodologies
Research methodologies is set of effective methods used by researcher in order to
complete their research. It is considered as procedure used to gather information for purpose of
making decisions. It makes research able to organize and keep efforts into one cohesive idea
generation task. In research project, methodologies permit individuals to critically examine study
reliability and validity as well.
Research philosophy-
Research philosophy deals with development and nature as well as other things of
knowledge. Positivism, pragmatism and interpretivism are the categories of research philosophy.
In this study, researcher uses interpretivism philosophy for conducting study to evaluate
strategies and initiatives taken by ASDA to build diverse and inclusive workforce. By choosing
this approach researcher is able to understand elements of entire study efficiently, interpretivism
research philosophy is beneficial in context of this report as it helps to study chosen topic in
more depth. Interpretivism is associated with Philosophical degree of idealism, used to individual
together diverse methods (Cuthbertson, Robb and Blair, 2019)
Research type-
Research is systematic investigation to explain, describe and control observed
phenomenon. It is categories two perceptions that is qualitative and quantitative research. QR
means correct investigation of phenomena by gathering data which is quantitative in nature.
While qualitative research is scientific approach of observation use by investigator to gather non
numerical information about chosen topic. Researcher uses qualitative & quantitative method in
this research to draw suitable conclusion with the help well and relevant findings (Woods and
et.al., 2016). They select both approaches because it contributes to offer in detail examination for
gaining aim of study, qualitative & quantitative research procedure help research to boost
respondents to provide their responses in effective way. Qualitative data cater detailed and rich
information to build up about why research act in certain way. It provides more independence to
investigator of this research because it only centring on subtleties on assemblage data and less on
their metrics.
Research approach-
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It defined process & plan that consists of precious steps of large assumptions to complete
technique of data collection, data analysis as well as interpretation. Research approach is totally
depended features of problems related to research. It is divided into of three categories,
inductive, deductive and abductive. In this study, researcher uses inductive research method
because it helps to discover determined and phenomena themes. This method support
investigator to develop new conventions and concept from data collected. Methods is defined as
various procedure which taken by investigator in accomplishing research aim and objectives.
Inductive research method helps researcher in generating certain meaning from raw data and to
draw final conclusion from that essential information to solve investigation issue.
Data collection-
Data collection is considered as systematic methods used to measure and gather
information from different sources available to obtain accurate as well as complete data related
to chosen topic. It is the term of gathering data about selected subject by using reliable sources
that provide response in effective way, to measure results and to test assumptions. It is
distinguished into two kinds that is primary & secondary approaches. Investigator of this
research uses both data collection methods. Primary data process in study is use for gathering
data from varied participants. In respect of secondary data, data is composed through journals,
books and other sources. Primary data collection approach help researcher to obtain exact
information, as it considered as good basis of up to date or latest information as it helps to collect
info directly from organization in building diverse and inclusive workforce. Secondary data
gathering method is beneficial for researcher just like primary as it helps to reduce risk of
expenditure. Secondary method of data collection is the one which had already being used or
published.
Sampling-
It refers to principles or values that researcher in this research uses to select people from
large number of populations in order to collect in depth info related to chosen topic or subject of
work. Investigator have to select some size of sample, among broad applicant in market.
Sampling method is divided into two categories, probability and non-probability, researcher goes
with random sampling method covers under probability sampling. Researcher chose 10 people of
ASDA on basis of simple random sampling approach because it supports to understand different
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point of view obtain by researcher from participants who are seeking to take participation in
research procedure. The opinions is received in context to objectives and aim of entire
investigation, this method also support to form representative people from large population.
Before conducing survey, the quick filed visit to chosen study areas give idea in context of
focusing aim, It also help to identify way for approaching ultimate study samples,
Ethical consideration-
It includes accumulation of principles and values that address questions of what is good
or not in human concern. It is one of the most essential part of research, that has to addressed by
researcher, Ethical consideration is set of values. In order to make effective report, researcher has
to take care of all the aspects in effective manner. To keep data secure, researcher do not share
collected data with anyone. They have to maintain the highest degree of objectivity in analyses
and discussions throughout investigation. Researcher give importance to anonymity and privacy
of respondents. Without permission, they do not obtain information related to research topic
from any source. It is very important for researcher while conducting this research to take into
consideration of all legal requirements of accomplishing investigation. They have to consider all
regulations and requirements of whole research completion, without making any mistakes.
LO 3
P5 Data analysis and findings
Theme 1- How many people in ASDA workplace are aware about concept of equality and
diversity?
70% 3
100% 7
Total 10
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Interpretation – Equality and diversity is one of the most emerging concepts, which
drives attention of companies towards taking decision without any differentiation (Daya and
April, 2017). Everyone is well known about this concept and conduct practices accordingly,
which is quite beneficial for better growth and high success of businesses. In context of above
statement, out of 10 3 respondents are in favour of first option. They think that out of 100, 70%
of workers are aware about above concept, which is quite beneficial for them in term of
understanding human rights. Rest of the participants, are in favour of second options, they thinks
that all the employees at workplace of TESCO are aware about equality and diversity concept.
Theme 2. company manage diverse culture within the organisation?
Q:2. Is company able to manage diverse culture within the
organisation?
Frequency
Strongly agree 4
Agree 2
Neutral 2
Disagree 1
Strongly disagree 1
Total 10
8

Interpretation - An investigation was carried out in strategies and initiatives in building
diversified work force in Asda. . The primary data was gathered and 10 managers were selected
through random sampling. So, by interpreting data, it is identified that 2 strongly agreed, 2 agree
that company manage diversified culture. 1 disagreed and 1 remain neutral. Thus, it can be
evaluated several policies are followed by company. In addition to it, workshops and seminars
are organized to promote diversity. Furthermore, equal opportunities for promotion and growth
are provided. Alongside, management treats employees fairly and equally.
Theme 3: main purpose of company’s equality and diversity policy is
To raise skills and resources 3
To motivate workers 5
To minimise gender discrimination 1
All of them 1
9

Interpretation: Above data reflects that 5 out of 10 respondents have viewed that promoting
equality is essential to motivate the workforce. The main purpose of this policy is to encourage
workers so that they feel valued and perform their duties well. 3 out of 10 answers have replied
that it helps in getting more skilled staff members and resources, by this way enterprise can
manage its operations in significant manner. On other hand 1 out of 10 participants have said that
it is beneficial in order to minimise the gender discrimination at workplace which create healthy
workplace culture. Hence it can be interpreted that equality policies are made to motivate
workers and to get the talented staff in business.
Theme 4: What things make impact on employee workforce?
Organizational policies 6
Human resource management practices 4
10

Interpretation- Employee workforce within company gets affected by varied factors, either
external or internal. Organizational processes and policies make staff able to understand values
and views of organizations on particular problems (Lyons and et.al., 2016). Majority of
respondents chosen by researcher are in favour of first option, they believe that organizational
policies is an internal factor that impact workforce in positive manner in term of increasing their
productivity and motivational level, when it does not developed by making differences based on
age, gender and race. But it can put negative impact on employee workforce, when any type of
judgement take by management is based on gender discrimination. Rest of respondents are in
favour of second option, 4 respondents think that human resource management activities and
practices always directly impact employees and their productivity level.
Theme 5 What are the benefits company can gain after treating female workers like male?
What are the benefits company can gain after treating female workers
like male.
Frequency
 Increase productivity level 8
 Building strong brand image 1
 Less turnover 1
Total 10
Interpretation- There are many companies in the world of business, who are treating
their workers equally, without making differences between female and male (Gargallo
Camarillas, 2019). By collecting data from selected respondents and gathering information by
them. Researcher analysed that, when company treat their female staffs like male, it lead to boost
productivity level of firm and workers even better. Only one respondent is in favour of second
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option, as they think that organization get benefit in term of building strong brand image in
market where enterprise operates their business, after treating female staff just like male without
inequality. When applicants in workplace are treated by manager and leaders, equally they like to
work with company for longer. It will reduce high employee turnover, which is quite beneficial
for business. It can be said that, management get all the benefits when candidates are treated
fairly at workplace.
Theme 6. What kind of adjustments, female staff and disable workers do within company,
due to gender discrimination.
What kind of adjustments, female staff and disable workers do
within company, due to gender discrimination.
Frequency
Not take part in decision making 6
Do not work in a team 4
Total 10
Interpretation- In most of companies in recent time, are making differences between
female and male workers, which drive each applicant to make adjustment at some points which
is not suitable for them. Out of 10 respondents, 6 participants think that disable and female
workers do adjustment in context of taking part in decision making. Many people at workplace
make differences in regard to these individual that decrease performance and productivity of
12

staff. Due to gender discrimination, female and disable applicants are less contribute in judgment
procedures. Out of 10, 4 participants consider second option they think that female and disable
people due to above factor make adjustment relate to team work, they do not take part in group
project or presentation. This kind of change demotivated candidates and increase high employee
turnover.
Theme 7- Improved company's workforce.
Q:7. Company's equality and diversity strategy improved
company's performance?
Frequency
SA 4
A 3
N 1
DA 2
SDA 0
Total 10
SA
A
N
DA
SDA
13

Interpretation: It can be interpreted from the table that 4 have replied that they strongly agree
that company's performance have increased due to diversity and equality strategy adopted by the
company. As they believe that diversity have resulted in high employee engagement as they can
effective get engaged with each other face challenges. 3 participants agree with the fact and 1
manager is neutral. 2 participants have disagreed with the fact. So, it can be interpreted that
company's strategy is really effective which has improved company's performance.
Theme 8- Which initiatives company could use to reduce gender discrimination at
workplace.
Which initiatives company could use to reduce gender
discrimination at workplace.
Frequency
Encourage female workers to share personal views 7
Teach staff about what is equality 3
Total 10
14

Interpretation- Gender inequality is a outcomes of persistent discrimination of one team
of member based upon gender and it manifests own self differently accordant to culture, colour,
race and economic situation. Due to this factor, workers especially female are facing many
issues, but with the help of effective approaches firms in business world reduce negative impact
of gender discrimination successfully. Majority of respondents are in favour of primary options,
they think that when people are motivated by leaders to share innovative ideas and point of view
in front of management, it lead to eliminate differences between female and male workers. It is
one of the best initiative firm can do in context of issue, which provide benefits to business in
term of increasing productivity rather than before. Furthermore, rest of respondents take favour
of second choice as they think that by teaching all applicants about equality and diversity and its
importance, leader reduce gender discrimination.
Theme 9- Equally satisfied as men.
Q: 9. Female employees are equally satisfies as men. Frequency
SA 4
A 3
N 1
DA 2
SDA 0
Total 10
15

SA
A
N
DA
SDA
Interpretation: It can be interpreted that 4 participants have agreed that female are
equally satisfies as men. The reason behind this is that company's work environment has been
always supportive towards women. 3 have a replied that they agree with fact and 2 participants
have disagreed with the fact. On the basis of majority it can interpreted that females employees
are equally satisfied with their job same as men.
P6 Recommendation as results of data analysis and findings
From above analysis, it has been identified that ASDA company used different types of
strategies in order to build inclusive as well as diverse workforce at workplace because it helps to
strengthen brand image and boost up the morale of workers rather than before. From above data
analysis and outcome of findings, is has been analysed that company have range of diverse
employees in workplace who are able to achieved business objective by working together.
Organization is capable to include diversified work force, they effectively managed diverse
culture that increase the productivity and performance of firm within retail sector efficiently.
Company develop their policy related to diversity and equality that helps to provide many
benefits which is quite beneficial for business and their employees. ASDA management treated
their female staff members just like the make employees, they are able to provide same career
growth opportunities that build inclusive workforce and allow them to gain attention of other
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people who seek to work with organization. Firm develop the best strategies in context of
diversity and equality that help to improve its performance, it helps to foster workforce towards
achievement of common goals.
ASDA are recommended to adopt varied type of strategies in order to improve their
performance and productivity effectively in sector where they operate.
 Diversity and equality are developed when leader and manager of company is equally
contributing in this procedure. To develop both powerful elements at workplace, leaders
should be knowledgeable and create better understanding in regard of this. Manager and
leader at every level must undergo training, that occurs when people make decision about
workers based on race, gender and other factors without realizing what they doing. It
helps make individual aware of diversity and drives them to importance of creating
inclusive nature, such as encouraging different point of view, in conference, engaging in
active listening and other interactions.
 Employee engagement is one of the best ways that firm must used in order to promote
workplace diversity, it is beneficial for them (Yang and Matz-Costa, 2018). Diversity is
very important to develop thriving work area, especially when it comes to this method.
Diversity at workplace encourages innovation as well as creativity because every group
member, from management to frontline workers, bring variety of experiences,
perspective and backgrounds to table.
 ASDA are suggested for facilitating work area diversity may mean developing new
policies, from recruitment to promotions and performance evaluations. Organization
recommended to create diversity friendly work force policies or strategies. They have to
posting job openings and provide position description that must to tailored to gain target
people.
 Firm are highly recommended to hire skilled people from different culture and
background; it helps to promote diverse culture of company within marketplace. When
they recruit applicants from various languages and culture, they can be able to boost up
the experience of workers working with them for longer. It helps to increase creativity,
profits, market share, productivity, improved business reputation within marketplace,
wide range of abilities, improves cultural insights and also improved employee
engagement.
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LO 4
P7 Reflection
I have to say that while conducting this research I had learned how to make research
questions and achieved it within effective time period. It includes reading hard to understand
articles, books and journals as well as comprehension process themselves. For me I learned it as I
am doing work. I learned how to organize research and used different methods taken by another
researcher. Before start research study I was able to select topic of my investigation, I take time
to plan my research and write schedule. Research projects take days, weeks or even months to
accomplished it, I was able to create schedule in effective manner, it assures reader that I do not
complete work being overwhelmed by all work I have to do as deadline methods. During stage
of planning & scheduling, I was able to plan resources and company tools that use to keep my
work on track through out project. Time lines and work break down structure help me to stick to
my schedule. While conducting researcher, I learned how to develop strategies in relation to
diversity and equality, it makes me able to build strong as well as effective team.
CONCLUSION
From above, it has been concluded that researcher uses several methods such as
secondary method of data collection, qualitative and quantitative, interpretivism research
philosophy and other on the basis of research topic in order to obtain better findings.
Furthermore, it has been summarized that ASDA company contributing in developing diversity
& equality at workplace. Organization treat all workers equally and take strict action against
discrimination that drive towards empowering diverse culture. Including female and male
workers in decision making procedure is strategy of firm which is used to improve the level of
inclusive culture in workplace.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Ababneh, O.M., LeFevre, M. and Bentley, T., 2019. Employee engagement: development of a
new measure. International Journal of Human Resources Development and
Management. 19(2). pp.105-134.
Cuthbertson, L.M., Robb, Y.A. and Blair, S., 2019. Theory and application of research principles
and philosophical underpinning for a study utilising interpretative phenomenological
analysis. Radiography.
Daya, P. and April, K., 2017. Practical Considerations for the Management of Diversity and
Inclusion in an Emerging Market Context: A South African Case Study', Management
and Diversity (International Perspectives on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Volume
3).
Gargallo Camarillas, E., 2019. Towards gender equality in organizations: benefits of supporting
gender diversity in top management and proposals to break the glass ceiling.
Gupta, A., 2018. Influence Of Inclusion And Organizational Diversity On Employee
Engagement And Its Effect On Turnover Intention In It Industry.
Lyons, B.D and et.al., 2016. Off-duty deviance: Organizational policies and evidence for two
prevention strategies. Journal of Applied Psychology. 101(4). p.463.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S.M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Maguire, M. and Delahunt, B., 2017. Doing a thematic analysis: A practical, step-by-step guide
for learning and teaching scholars. AISHE-J: The All Ireland Journal of Teaching and
Learning in Higher Education. 9(3).
Owens, J.R. and Patel, P., 2019. Income as a Predictor of Employe Job Satisfaction and
Motivation.
Pantiyasa, I.W. and Michelle, M., 2017. ORGANIZATION CULTURE IMPACT TO
PERFORMENT HOTEL EMPLOYE (CASE STUDY: HOTEL LEGIAN RESORT–
BALI). Journal of Business on Hospitality and Tourism. 2(1). pp.330-346.
Singh, M.R. and Kishor, J., 2018. The Corporate Image As A Weapon In The Attraction Of
Prospective Employe(No. 2018-28-13).
Williams, T.A. and Shepherd, D.A., 2017. Mixed method social network analysis: Combining
inductive concept development, content analysis, and secondary data for quantitative
analysis. Organizational Research Methods. 20(2). pp.268-298.
Woods, M. and et.al., 2016. Advancing qualitative research using qualitative data analysis
software (QDAS)? Reviewing potential versus practice in published studies using
ATLAS. ti and NVivo, 1994–2013. Social Science Computer Review. 34(5). pp.597-617.
Yang, J. and Matz-Costa, C., 2018. Age Diversity in the Workplace: The Effect of Relational
Age Within Supervisor–Employee Dyads on Employees’ Work Engagement. The
International Journal of Aging and Human Development. 87(2). pp.156-183.

QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Post:
Q:1. How many people in ASDA workplace are aware about concept of equality and diversity?
 70%
 100%
Q:2. Is company able to manage diverse culture within the organisation?
 SA
 A
 N
 DA
 SDA
Q:3 The main purpose of company's equality and diversity policy is
 To raise skills and resources.
 To motivate workers.
 To minimise gender discrimination.
 All of them.
Q: 4. What things make impact on employee workforce
 Organizational policies
 Human resource management practices
Q: 5. What are the benefits company can gain after treating female workers like male.
 Increase productivity level
 Building strong brand image
 Less turnover
Q: 6. Disabled people and women have to make adjustments within the organisation?
 Yes.
 No.
 Not sure.
2

Q:7. Company's equality and diversity strategy improved company's performance?
 SA
 A
 N
 DA
 SDA
Q:8. Which initiatives company could use to reduce gender discrimination at workplace.
 Encourage female workers to share personal views
 Teach staff about what is equality
Q: 9. Female employees are equally satisfies as men.
 SA
 A
 N
 DA
 SDA
3