Managing a Successful Business Project

This document provides insights into managing a successful business project, focusing on the concept of equality and diversity. It includes project aims and objectives, a project management plan, work breakdown structure, Gantt chart, qualitative and quantitative research methods, data analysis, and recommendations. The subject is business project management, and the course code and college/university are not mentioned.

Managing a Successful
Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Devise project aims and objectives for the topic.............................................................1
P2. Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk, and resources.......................................................................................2
P3. Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide time frames and stages
for completion........................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P4. Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives..............................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques.................................8
P6. Appropriate recommendation as a result of research.....................................................16
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................17
P7. Reflection.......................................................................................................................17
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERANCES..............................................................................................................................18
Log Book..............................................................................................................................19
Performance Review............................................................................................................21

INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity is the concept which is related to providing right and equality
opportunities to each and every employees. This is very helpful in keeping as well as maintaining
positive organisational culture within organisation (Basu, Brady and Davies, 2014). Equity and
diversity is important for organisation as well as employees. This will lead to developing better
relationship with employees so that organisational desired goals could be timely achieved. It is
essential to company is provide equality to employees in order to conduct business operations in
better and effective manner. Chosen company for this organisation is Aston Martin. This is a
well known British manufacturing company which is providing different luxury sports care as
well as grand tourers. This company was established in London in 1913 and founder of this
organisation is Lionel Martain and Robert Bamford. Its headquarter is located at Gaydon,
England, United Kingdom and it is providing its products and services to different parts of the
world. This report includes project management plan that covers all important element for
conducting project activities. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart has been developed for
analysing proper time frame. Different research and data collection methods has been used in
order to collect as well as analyse data.
TASK 1
P1. Devise project aims and objectives for the topic
Background of the project:
Aston Martin Lagonda Global company is dealing in auto mobile manufacturing as well
as luxury good. This is one of the leading British manufacturing company which is developing
high quality products as per need and requirement of the customers (Cleden, 2017). This is a well
known company which is developing and designing luxury cars. It is very important for this
company resolve equality and diversity that is occurring in male dominating industry. This
company is providing its products and services to different part of the world so its is essential
for Aston Martin Lagonda company to deal with the issues of quality and diversity.
Research Aim:
To identify how have companies responded to current issues of equality and diversity in
the workplace.
Research Objective:
1

 To analyse the concept of equality and diversity at workplace.
 To identify issues which are arises due to lack of equality and diversity at workplace.' To analyse possible solution of resolving issues that may arise due to absence of equality
and diversity.
Research Questions:
 What is the concept of equality and diversity at workplace.
 What are the major issues which are arises due to lack of equality and diversity at
workplace. What are the possible solution of resolving issues that may arise due to absence of
equality and diversity.
P2. Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk, and resources.
Project management plan can be describe as a well written document which includes all
necessary details about the project (Dutta and Bose, 2015). It is essential for organisation to
develop a strong and effective project management plan that covers all important aspects which
are related to project as well as helpful in management of project. This will analyse the scope of
project and different risk that is associated with the project. Project management plan will leads
to determining the ways of communication and the exacted quality of the research report. All of
these element of project management plan is mention below in detail.
Cost: This refers to the total amount of money that is required by company for
performing project and research task. It is essential that the investigator has appropriate funds
and cost in order to successful conduct all task and activities. For the respective research cost
which is required is £250 and for the completion of the project £300 cost will be required.
Time: Time can be describe as the period of time that will be required by researcher to
complete the project research. Investigator needs to analyse as well as evaluate the time that is
required for successfully completing the project. Time period that is required to complete the
research is 2 months and for successful completing the project 4 moths time frame is required.
Quality: It is essential the research is performing all task and activities by considering the
required quality of the research (Hillson, 2017). It is very important for respective company to
collect high quality as well as appropriate data for analysing information. Investigator needs to
use correct method to collect and gather accurate information.
2

Risk: There are various risk factors associated while conducting a research project. It is
essential for researcher to analyse all risk as well as try to minimize risk for successful
completion of the research project. The major risk that is includes in this are related to collection
of data as well as analysis of data in order to gather correct information.
Communication: This is considered as very crucial part in order to conduct research task
in better and effective manner (Jeston, 2014). It is essential for investigator to use correct
methods to communicate with the other person. Researcher needs to communicate with many
people such as clients, staff member, customers and other so that more appropriate information
can be gathered.
Scope: The scope of the research project is to analyse as well as evaluate the impact of
equality and diversity at workplace. This will help is determining the significance of equality and
diversity for an organisation.
Resources: There are different types of resources are required by company in order to
conduct task in better and effective manner. It is essential for this company to use different tools
and methods to collect as well as evaluate the data. Availability of correct resources will help in
conducting research project in smoothly manner.
P3. Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide time frames and stages for
completion.
It is important for researcher to analyse as well as evaluate the correct time frame that is
required to conduct task and activities of research project (Kaiser, El Arbi, and Ahlemann, 2015).
By developing a time frame as per need and requirement of task. For this investigator needs to
products work breakdown structure and Gantt chart.
Work Breakdown structure
Work breakdown structure can be define as a method which will help in solving complex
and multiple steps project in effective manner. This is in the form of hierarchical tree structure
which is useful in providing outlines of the project as well as breaking task into smaller parts.
The motive of work break down structure is that it lead to make project management as well as
improve productivity. It is essential for investigator to divide large task into small parts as per the
time requires to complete activities in better and effective manner. This will be very helpful in
conducting research project in effective and efficient manner.
3

Gantt chart
Gantt chart can be describe as tool which will help in scheduling task over time. This is one of the commonly used methods that is
helpful in showing different task and activities in regards to time (Keil, Lee and Deng, 2013). Gantt chart is developed by Henry Gantt who was
and American engineer as well as consultant of project management. This is represented in the form of horizontal bar chart which will show the
time the project plan with respect to the time that should be taken. It is important for researcher to use and develop Gantt chart for completing all
events and task in effective and efficient manner.
4
Diversity and
Inclusion
Introduction LO1
Aim
Objectives
Project
Management Plan
Cost
Scope
Time
Quality
Communication
Risk
Resources
LO2
Conduct Small
Scale Research
Research
Methodology
Quantitative
Method
Qualitative Method
Data Collection
Method
Sampling Method
Data Analysis
Method
LO3
Findings and
Analysis
Conclusion
and
Recommenda
tions
LO4
Reflective
Statement
References
Books
Journal Articles
Professional and
Organisational
Report
Appendix
Questionnaire
Template

5

6

TASK 2
P4. Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods appropriate for meeting project aims and
objectives.
It is very important for research to apply qualitative and quantitative research methods. This will be very helpful in meeting with the aims
and objective of research project in better way (Larson and Chang, 2016). Different methods of collecting data is mention below in detail.
Quantitative research – This refers to the systematic way of gather data as well as analysing it in effective manner. Qualitative research method
is useful in collecting data that can be represented in the form of mathematical, statistical as well as conceptual techniques. There are different
methods for qualitative research such as online surveys, questionnaire and other methods.
Qualitative research – This type of research method is useful for collecting in depth detail and information about the topic ( Martinuzzi and
Krumay, 2013). Qualitative research is useful in analysing data which can not be represented in the form of numerical number. This includes
different ways to gather information such as personal interview, focus group, case study, careful observation and so on.
Data collection
There are different ways through which research can collect and gather data. Data collection can be define as a way in which company
can gather data as well as convert it into useful information. It is important for company to select most appropriate methods of collecting data as
it essential that data collect accurate data of investigation.
Primary data – This refers to the process of collecting data which is never used or collected before. Researcher who collected primary data is
known as the owner of data and primary data is considered as the first handed data. There are different ways to collect primary data such as
interview, questionnaire, focus group, observation and so. Primary data includes some advantages for collecting data as is help in collecting
more appropriate as well as accurate data of conducting research. There are some drawback of primary method as it include high knowledge
about the topic and its expansive method of collecting data.
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Secondary data – There are different types of method for collecting secondary data. Secondary data includes all those information that has been
used before as well as collected while primary research (Polonsky and Waller, 2018). There are many ways through which researcher can collect
secondary data such as online data, internet, books and journals, business document, government paper and many more. Secondary data is
beneficial for research is it is less expansive and less time consuming. There are drawbacks of secondary data as it does not provide accurate
information.
For this research project investigator is using both primary and secondary data. In primary data questionnaire survey is conducted by
researcher in order to collect first handed and accurate information. In order to collect secondary data online data as well as internet information
is gathered. Sample size selected for questionnaire is 30 and they are employees of respective company.
Questionnaire
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Do you have any knowledge or information about the concept of equality and diversity?
 Yes
 No
2. In your point of view what are the leading problems which are related to equality and
diversity at workplaces.
 Generation gap
 Culture differences
 Gender equality
 All of the above
3. Do you consider that equality and diversity will have huge impact over organisation as
well as its performance?
8

 Yes
 No
4. According to your views what are the positive impacts of maintaining equality and
diversity at Astom Martin company?
 Improve performance of employees
 grow and develop talent workforce
 Enhance productivity of organisation
 All of the above
5. Do you think your organisation is promoting diversity and quality at workplace?
 Yes
 No
6. Do you believe that Astom Martin Lagonda company is following all legislations and
policies that is set by government for equality and diversity at workplace.
 Yes
 No
7. As per your view point what will be the major challenges that could be faced by
organisation due to lack of equality and diversity?
 Impact over sales and profits
 Decrease performance of employees
 Increase turnover rates of employee
9

 All of the above
8. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for responding to current issues
faced by company regarding equality and diversity?
9. State some strategies that could be used by Astom Martin Lagonda company to
resolving organisational issues and promoting equality and diversity.
TASK 3
P5. Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Theme 1: The concept of equality and diversity
1. Do you have any knowledge or
information about the concept of equality
and diversity?
Frequency
 Yes 25
 No 5
10

Interpretation – From the above graphical representation it can be identifyed that most of the employees of respective company are well
informed about the concept of equality and diversity. As per the survey out of 30 respondents 25 agree that they have knowledge where as only
other 5 respondents disagree.
Theme 2: Leading problems which are related to equality and diversity at workplaces.
2. In your point of view what are the leading
problems which are related to equality and
diversity at workplaces.
Frequency
11
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
25
5
Column B

 Generation gap 5
 Culture differences 6
 Gender equality 4
 All of the above 15
Interpretation – As per the data collected from the survey it can be determinate that there are various problems which are related to
equality and diversity. It is essential for organisation to identify and analyse the impact of this on organisation in order to perform business
activities in effective manner. As per survey 5 and 6 respondents believe that generation gap and culture different will have major impact
12
5
6
4
15 Generation gap
Culture differences
Gender equality
All of the above

respectively. Where are other 4 respondents states that gender equality is the major issues. Out of 30 respondents 15 believes that all of the
above mention are the important issues.
Theme 3: Equality and diversity will have huge impact over organisation as well as its performance.
3. Do you consider that equality and
diversity will have huge impact over
organisation as well as its performance?
Frequency
 Yes 26
 No 4
13
26
4
Yes
No

Interpretation – From the above collected data it can be evaluated that most of the employee believe that equality and diversity will have
influence over organisational performance and its activities. Out of 30 respondents 26 has responded positively where as only 4 employees has
responded negatively.
Theme 4: Positive impacts of maintaining equality and diversity at Astom Martin company.
4. According to your views what are the
positive impacts of maintaining equality and
diversity at Astom Martin company?
Frequency
 Improve performance of employees 6
 Grow and develop talent workforce 5
 Enhance productivity of organisation 5
 All of the above 14
14

Interpretation – Though the information collected it has be analysed that equality and diversity will lead to have various positive impact
over organisation. Out of 30 respondent 5, 5 and 6 believes that it will enhance productivity, develop talented workforce and improve
performance of employees. Where as other 14 respondent state that all of the above mentioned are the positive impact of equality and diversity at
organisation.
Theme 5: Promoting diversity and quality at workplace.
5. Do you think your organisation is Frequency
15
Improve performance of employees
Grow and develop talent workforce
Enhance productivity of organisation
All of the above
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
6
5
5
14
Column B

promoting diversity and quality at
workplace?
 Yes 24
 No 6
16
24
6
Yes
No

Interpretation – According to the data shown in graph it can be easily determine that most of the employees of respective company feels
that organisation is promoting equality and diversity at workplace. Through analysing collected data it has been identified that out of 30
employees 24 has responded positively where as only 6 employee disagree with the statement.
Theme 6: Following all legislations and policies that is set by government for equality and diversity at workplace.
6. Do you believe that Astom Martin
Lagonda company is following all
legislations and policies that is set by
government for equality and diversity at
workplace.
Frequency
 Yes 27
 No 3
17

Interpretation - As per the above graphical representation it can be analysed that most of the respondent feel that organisation is
following all rules and regulations. As 24 employees has responded positively where as only 6 employees has responded negatively. It is very
important for company to follow rules and regulations in order to conduct business operation in effective manner.
Theme 8: Major challenges that could be faced by organisation due to lack of equality and diversity.
8. As per your view point what will be the
major challenges that could be faced by
organisation due to lack of equality and
Frequency
18
Yes
No
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Column B

diversity?
 Impact over sales and profits 4
 Decrease performance of employees 6
 Increase turnover rates of employee 4
 All of the above 16
19
Impact over sales and profits
Decrease performance of employees
Increase turnover rates of employee
All of the above
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
4
6
4
16
Column B

Interpretation - There are various issues and challenges that could be faced by company when it is not following equality and diversity at
workplace. Though the data represented above it can be determine that 4 and 6 respondents feel that major issues is that it will have negative
impact over sales and decrease in performance of employees respectively. Where as other 4 respondent believe that it will lead to increase in
employee turnover rates. And other 16 respondents feel that all of the above are major challenges.
Theme 9: Recommendations for responding to current issues faced by company regarding equality and diversity
9. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations for responding to current issues
faced by company regarding equality and diversity?
Interpretation – Yes, it is very important for this company to conducting business activities in
such a manner that it will lead to increase in employee engagement as well as employee
interaction with each other.
Theme 10: Strategies that could be used by Astom Martin Lagonda company to resolving organisational issues and promoting equality and
diversity
10. State some strategies that could be used by Astom Martin Lagonda company to
resolving organisational issues and promoting equality and diversity.
Interpretation – This company should provide timely training to its employees which will lead
in enhancing their knowledge about equality and diversity. This will help in promoting equality
and diversity at workplace.
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P6. Appropriate recommendation as a result of research
As per the above report there are some recommendation for manager of Astom Martin Lagonda company. These recommendation is
based to the information that is collected during research. It is essential for manage to consider these recommendation as it will help in
improving the overall organisational performance. Equality and diversity play a crucial role in growth and development of a company and this
will help in achievement of organisational goals. Recommendation for manager of Astom Martin Lagonda organisation is mention below in
detail.
There are different rules and regulation set by government which is helpful in promoting equality and diversity in organisations. It is essential for
respective company to follow all rules and legislations that is developed by government for smooth functioning of business.
Astom Martin Lagonda company needs to focus on employee engagement. This organisation should conduct different different business
activities as well as task that will help in engaging employees of different culture and background with each other.
It is recommanded that respective company should provide timely training to its employees. This will help in enhancing their knowledge and
information about the equality and diversity at organisation. Training are crucial part of organisation as it will lead to increase performance
of employees as well as organisational productivity.
This company needs to develop strict organisational policies for promoting as well as enhancing equality and diversity at organisation. By
creating organisation polices respective company will be able to set guidelines for employees.
TASK 4
P7. Reflection
While perform the tasks and activities of this research project I have analysed different ways that could be used by organisation. This
research has help me in enchaining my knowledge as well as skills regarding issues of equality and diversity as well as its importance. This will
be very helpful in my growth and development as by understand concept of equality and diversity in detail I will be able to perform task in better
manner. This research will have significant impact over my professional career. With the help of this research I am able to develop various skills
21

as well as capabilities. I have learned to manage research task in better manner as well as successful conduct activities in order to achieve desired
aims. There are several issues occur during this research project. The major issues were related to time management as well as lack of funds.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be can be concluded that it is important to have equality and diversity in organisation. This will help in
enchaining organisational culture as well as overall performance of company. There are different way that could be used by company in order to
promote diversity and equality at workplace. There are various tools and techniques that could be used by research to collect as well as gather
appropriate data and information.
22

REFERANCES
Books and Journals
Basu, R., 2014. Managing quality in projects: An empirical study. International journal of project management. 32(1). pp.178-187.
Brady, T. and Davies, A., 2014. Managing structural and dynamic complexity: A tale of two projects. Project Management Journal. 45(4).
pp.21-38.
Cleden, D., 2017. Managing project uncertainty. Routledge.
Dutta, D. and Bose, I., 2015. Managing a big data project: the case of ramco cements limited. International Journal of Production Economics.
165. pp.293-306.
Hillson, D., 2017. Managing risk in projects. Routledge.
Jeston, J., 2014. Business process management: practical guidelines to successful implementations. Routledge.
Kaiser, M.G., El Arbi, F. and Ahlemann, F., 2015. Successful project portfolio management beyond project selection techniques: Understanding
the role of structural alignment. International Journal of Project Management. 33(1). pp.126-139.
Keil, M., Lee, H.K. and Deng, T., 2013. Understanding the most critical skills for managing IT projects: A Delphi study of IT project managers.
Information & management. 50(7). pp.398-414.
Larson, D. and Chang, V., 2016. A review and future direction of agile, business intelligence, analytics and data science. International Journal
of Information Management. 36(5). pp.700-710.
Martinuzzi, A. and Krumay, B., 2013. The good, the bad, and the successful–how corporate social responsibility leads to competitive advantage
and organizational transformation. Journal of change management. 13(4). pp.424-443.
Polonsky, M.J. and Waller, D.S., 2018. Designing and managing a research project: A business student's guide. Sage publications.
Sikdar, A. and Payyazhi, J., 2014. A process model of managing organizational change during business process redesign. Business Process
Management Journal. 20(6). pp.971-998.
Storey, J., Basterretxea, I. and Salaman, G., 2014. Managing and resisting ‘degeneration’in employee-owned businesses: A comparative study of
two large retailers in Spain and the United Kingdom. Organization. 21(5). pp.626-644.
Thamhain, H., 2013. Managing risks in complex projects. Project management journal. 44(2). pp.20-35.
Young, T.L., 2016. Successful project management. Kogan Page Publishers.
APPENDIX I
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Log Book
Project Logbook for the chosen organisation:
Name of the learner: Name of the Supervisor:
Project Title: 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?
Comments
Completed resport is on “how have
companies responded to current issues of equality
and diversity in the workplace.”
Yes
Yes
No
Any risks and / or issues identified?
 Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of Yes, I had to deal with various issues such as
24

skills required for undertaking research
tasks?
 Did you identify any additional risks/issues
that have an impact on the project
management plan?
lack of time and funds while undertaking the
research.
No
Problems encountered
 What barriers did you face?
 How did you overcome them?
Barriers that I came across doing this report
were primarily related to lack of funds and
time.
I learned to overcome these barriers to
complete this report and for that I developed a
proper plan and divided big tasks into subtasks.
New Ideas and change of project direction There are various creative and innovative tools
as well as techniques that can be used to
conduct activities in a refined manner.
25

What Have I learnt about myself this week?
 How did I feel when I had to deal with
tasks/problems? Did I find it useful to complete the tasks? How well have I performed? What did I
contribute? What can I improve on next week? How might this learning apply in the future?
I felt very demotivated when I faces
problems/issues.
Yes
I believe that my performance was fair enough
and also that I used all my abilities in
completing this report.
In the coming week, I'll be more concentrating
more on improving and enhancing my time
management skills in order to carry out tasks in
an effective way.
This learning will be very helpful in my future
endeavours.
Tasks planned for next week
 Which tasks are priority?
 Have you set aside sufficient time for
completion?
Collecting more appropriate data will be my
priority in the coming week.
Yes
Project plan status to date (on, ahead, behind)
Supervisor comments to address
26

Signature of the Supervisor and date:
APPENDIX II
Performance Review
1. What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
The project was supposed to accomplish “how have companies responded to current issues
of equality and diversity in the workplace.”
2. Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please
outline any evaluation and assessment undertaken.
Yes, the project has successfully succeeded its aims. A weekly evaluation was
conducted by the researcher which helped in performing task in better manner.
33 What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the
project (e.g initial inception, project activities and project outcomes) from a range
of perspectives.
I think my time management skills has worked quite well while conducting
project activities. This was able to complete all activities at right time.
27

4. What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was
there timely identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
The major problem was related to effective communication to different people during
research task. I have taken help from my senior person to resolve this issue.
 What did you learn from undertaking the project?
I have learned important of equality and diversity for an organisation as well as
issues related to it.
6. How would you rate your performance as a management consultant leading the
project?
I would rate my performance as 9 out of 10.
7. What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
I consider time management is my strength where as communication is my
weakness.
8. How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
This will help and support me in my professional career development as I will be able
to resolve issues which are related to equality and diversity at workplace.
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