Managing Small Business Projects: A Comprehensive Guide

This comprehensive guide explores the essential principles and practices of managing small business projects. From defining clear aims and objectives to developing a robust project management plan, this resource provides practical insights and tools to ensure successful project execution. Learn how to create a work breakdown structure, utilize Gantt charts for effective time management, and conduct qualitative and quantitative research to inform decision-making. Discover the value of incorporating corporate social responsibility into your projects and gain valuable insights into the importance of communication, equality, and resource optimization. This guide equips you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of small business project management and achieve desired outcomes.

Managing small business project

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................1
Part 1............................................................................................................................................................2
P1: Devise clear aims and objectives for your project.............................................................................2
P2: Produce a project management plan..................................................................................................3
P3: Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes and stages for
completion...............................................................................................................................................4
M1. Produce a comprehensive project management plan.......................................................................6
Part 2..........................................................................................................................................................10
P4: Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods
appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives.............................................................................10
M2. Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the different research methods........................................11
Part 3..........................................................................................................................................................13
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques for the chosen project..............13
P6: Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data analysis to draw valid
and meaningful conclusions..................................................................................................................14
P7: Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own learning and
performance...........................................................................................................................................15
M3 evaluate your selection of appropriate tools and techniques for accuracy and authenticity to
support and justify recommendations....................................................................................................16
M4. Evaluate the value of the project management process and use of quality research to meet stated
objectives and support own learning and performance.........................................................................16
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................17
References..................................................................................................................................................18

LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Gantt chart.....................................................................................................................................5
Table 2: Milestone.......................................................................................................................................6
Table 3: Schedule.........................................................................................................................................7

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: work breakdown structure............................................................................................................5
Figure 2: Research data analysis................................................................................................................13

Introduction
Corporate social responsibilities are the practices from the organization to give back the services and
benefits to the global community and customers. The practices bring welfare in the environment, living
styles, personal satisfaction and growth of the organization. The report will discuss how Xerox
Corporation, a leading organization for the print resources and digital document services, can implement
corporate social responsibilities. The report will discuss project aims and objectives along with detailed
project management plan, schedule and milestones. Later the project will conduct the small scale
research on the project subject and analyse the outcomes. Also various tools and techniques for the data
analysis will be discussed in the report. In this manner, the report will focus on the organizational
context of the project management with desired goals and objectives.
1

Part 1
P1: Devise clear aims and objectives for your project
About the organization and project
Xerox Corporation is a global organization sells print and digital solutions for the documents and
provides document technology based products. The organization has head quarter in Norwalk and
services in 160 countries. Since the foundation in year 1906, the organization has active participation
and initiatives for the environmental and ethical values to promote the sustainability. The organization
believes that a portion of the revenue or benefits earned from the community should be return to it for
betterment as the community also provides employees, partners and customers to the organization
(Nasrullah and Rahim, 2014). The organization has project for the corporate social responsibilities in
which the organization is planning to empower the workers for the finance, health and family and also
adopts equality and acceptance among them.
Aims
The project has aim to empower the individual in the supply chain for the financial conditions, better
health services and well-being with family. The project has aim to achieve equality among the
employees and acceptance regardless discrimination.
Objectives
 To understand the worker’s demands from the organization and their work through survey and a
hierarchy of chain for the systematic discussion.
 To identify the potential local and non-profit organizations those also can contribute the workers
for better health and financial empowerment through awareness, training and development.
 Implement the corporate social responsibilities and analyse the business returns from the
practices.
2

P2: Produce a project management plan
Project management plan is the set of the activities those can contribute in the project from the smooth
execution and desired outcomes. The organization can use the following major considerations on the
projects to achieve the benefits:
Costs: Xerox Corporation has planned the annual investment of the 1 million for the empowerment of
the workers and to enhance their presence and satisfaction at workplace. The organization has planned
to invest the 20% of the total amount of corporate social responsibilities which is further 10% of the
annual turnover.
Scope: The project has scope for the organization to enhance the social awareness for the diseases to
achieve better health. It has scope to improve the financial returns to the employees and increase their
satisfaction to the workplace through the non-discrimination policies, transparent communication and
desired code of conducts (Kerzner and Kerzner, 2017). It has scope to retain the employees and scale the
quality in the operations.
Time: The project is planned to come into existence within six months. However, the project is marked
to execute for next 20 years with minor changes according to time. Each activity in the project is
planned to execute on the define time and needs to be completed within the defined slot. However,
additional slot of 1 month is allocated to handle the risks in project those can delay the operations.
Quality: To achieve the desired quality in the project, the organization has planned to take the feedback
from the employees at the end of the project and provided the mechanism of reporting to management
for unethical conditions or dissatisfaction points at workplace. Quality of the project is planned to
manage through proper assignment of the role and responsibilities to the management staff (Burke,
2013). Quality is assured at the end of the activities or at the milestones of the project.
Communication: The project has duplex communication among the management and employees. It
empowers the employees to express their opinions and remarks on the empowerment activities through
the mail, weekly seminars and direct communication with leaders or management team. At other side,
management uses the forums, discussion and announcements during the project to complete it as a team
work.
3

Risk: Project has major risks from the employees for their participation. It is possible that employees
have lack of the communication to express their thoughts properly. Also they might be not interested to
participate in the betterment of the workplace conditions. The risks also associates with the management
to analyze the major worker’s expectations and issues. Besides it, time and cost are the major factors for
the organization those can impact the outcomes (Harrison and Lock, 2017).
Resources: The project has need of capital and skilled employees to initiate the project. Meanwhile, the
organization also needs legal advisor, quality manager and leaders to execute the project activities. The
organization also needs marketing staff and employees engagement tools and technologies including
communication tools and project execution and monitoring tools.
P3: Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes and stages for
completion
The organization has simple work break down structure which is based on the major activities in the
project. The activities are further divided into the sub-activities. The structure also represents the
organizational work distribution structure. Team leaders are working on the four major activities those
are further implemented through the workers (Devi and Reddy, 2012).
Gantt chart for the project shows the major activities along with their time of the starting and finishing.
It helps to bind the employees for the performance and quality in the work so that desired outcomes can
be achieved. Gantt chart also helps to understand the capabilities and scope to complete the project with
the present set of the skills and resources.
4

Figure 1: work breakdown structure
(Source: created with smart arts)
Table 1: Gantt chart
Activity Month 1 Month 2 Month 3 Month 4 Month 5
Planning
Requirement engineering
Stakeholder communication
Designing of CSR policies
5
Employee well-being project
Financial
empowerment
Plan for the
financial growth
Industry
competitive salary
Reward and
insentives
worker loan
More in-hand cash
Fund for child
education
Health
services
Health insurrance
Regular medical
checkup
Loss recovery
amount
Dedicated hospital
Social recognition
through health
camp
Better workplace
conditions
Non-discrimination
policyies
Standard code of
conduct
role distribution
work recognition
Intramural benefits
data protection and
privacy
Family well-
being
Vocational leaves
Low-cost tour
packages
Effective leaves in
maternity

Implementation
Testing 19 days 10% 10% 10% 10%
Post-implementation 14 days 20% 20% 20% 20%
M1. Produce a comprehensive project management plan
Comprehensive project management plan of the organization has consideration on the proper monitoring
of the activities. Business aims and objectives to focus on the well-being of the worker are at core of the
activities.
Milestone
It presents the critical stages of the project those determine the performance and productivity of the
project. Milestones are required to monitor because the information can be use to achieve the proper
execution within the constraints and meet the goals more effectively. The organization can use the
following milestone where major activities related to the implementation of the corporate social
responsibilities project have been considered (Slack, 2012).
Table 2: Milestone
Activity Milestone Progress
Planning 37 days Completed
Requirement engineering 28 days Completed
Stakeholder communication 11 days Completed
Designing of CSR policies 37 days 65%
Implementation 9 days 25%
Testing 19 days 10%
Post-implementation 14 days 20%
6

Schedule
The organization has to follow the specific schedule for the project as it helps to organize the human
resources and generate more effective and planned outcomes. The organization can schedule the
activities to achieve the timely outcomes those can reduce the interdependency among the modules or
major activities of the projects and empowers the faster execution. Schedule helps to utilize the time
effectively and provide the parallel execution of the activities to boost the performance.
Table 3: Schedule
Activities Timeframe
Planning 30 days
Understand the working conditions and competitive industry
standards
15 days
Analysis worker satisfaction level and retention at workplace 10 days
Documentation of the worker requirements. 3 days
Identifying the factors to promote motivation 2 days
Requirement engineering 30 days
Communicate to workers 5 days
Identify the potential benefits the organization can deliver 5 days
Identify source of the services 10 days
List possible solutions 7 days
Analyse the requirements and standardize the practices 3 days
7

Pre-design communication 12 days
Communicate policies or solution to workers 3 days
Determine ways to engage workers 2 days
Plan the campaign 3 days
Redefine time and cost resources 2 days
Make the process legally valid 2 days
Designing of policies 40 days
Organize skilled legal resources 20 days
Document the policies and rules 7 days
Prototype the project and communicate 13 days
Implementation 10 days
Prepare documents for the awareness among employees 5 days
Analysis the techniques to establish the wide community 2 days
Communicate the program 3 days
Testing 20 days
Analysis the returns, benefits and work opinions 5 days
Test the suitability in other countries 7 days
Quality analysis 3 days
Change management 5 days
8

Post-implementation 15 days
Recommendation areas 5 days
User training 3 days
Resource handover 3 days
Project closure 4 days
Total working days 157 days
Margin for risk recovery 13 days
Total project days 170 days
9

Part 2
P4: Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research methods appropriate
for meeting project aims and objectives
Qualitative research
According to Schwartz (2017), corporate social responsibilities are essential to generate the customers
and meet the competitive benefits. It is also required to become the socially responsible for the
community hosting or serving the organization. CSR can help the business to promote the wellness and
generate the more awareness for the brand and the products. The organizations can focus on the internal
and external factors where the organization can help the community to meet the better health,
environmental awareness and growth. Within CSR, the organizations can understand the opinions of the
people to make the business model more sustainable and effective. The organizational aims and
objectives can be communicated to the people more easily and they can be encouraged to become
awareness for the social issues.
Also, CSR can bring the social community engaged in the business to lead toward the sustainable
business. It helps to achieve the internal satisfaction of the customers whereas it also boosted the factors
on which business exist. According to Tai and Chuang (2014), the organizations can initiate the CSR
activities to empower the individual and environment for the better values in the nearby future.
Quantitative research
The research method has more focus on the collection and analysis of the data. The organizations can
collect data from the customers, employees and stakeholders and analyze the more reliable data. The
organizations can use interview, survey, group discussion and questionnaire as the primary sources to
collect the information (Aguinis and Glavas, 2012). On the implementation of the CSR activities within
the organization through the project, following sample questions can be asked to the employees to
understand their requirements and opinions:
1. Is present workplace conditions free from discriminations?
 Yes  No
10

2. Is there need of changes in welfare programs?
 Yes _______________________  No
3. Is health services can be outsourced with the help of non-profit organizations?
 Yes  No
4. Is there a need of support from the organization for non-organizational campaigns for community?
 Yes _______________________  No
5. Is intramural benefits are according to industry standards?
 Yes  No
M2. Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the different research methods
From the analysis of the qualitative and quantitative methods for the research, it can be said that
qualitative research method is effective to provide the data for the research on the basis of the
researchers. The information collected from the secondary sources like books, journals and magazine is
somehow authenticated and valid to meet the goals. Such sources deliver more accurate and reliable
information on a particular topic but extracted from the books and researchers. At other side, internet
and newspaper information is less reliable and accurate to the organization to understand the employees
and corporate social responsibilities (Taylor et al, 2015). However, such sources can provide generic
information on the use and applicability of research for the community.
Quantitative research method is effective to collect the information from the employees and customers
as it can provide more accurate and reliable information to the organization. In comparison of the
secondary sources, it helps to collect the stable, newest and context oriented information. Also such
information is easy to analyze and manage. Electronic software can be used to monitor the information
collection and analyze the data for the decision making. For example, interview can help to understand
the opinion of the people on the particular topic (Anderson et al, 2012). However, it requires the proper
planning and engagement of the people to support the research. At other side, the organization has
benefit of questionnaire to collect the information on the specific parameters so that data analysis can be
made effective and easy. From the both, primary research methods are easy and more accurate but to
11

achieve the performance and reliability, it is essential to use the secondary research methods also in
research.
12

Part 3
P5 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques for the chosen project
The qualitative data in the research is already synthesized because it is extracted from the books and
journals those are on corporate social responsibilities within the organizations. According to the
qualitative information, it can be said that the corporate social responsibilities in the organizations are
essentials to enhance the employee welfare, satisfaction and retention. CSR is also information to
promote the brand values and enhance the availability of the employees (Rao, 2012). Some benefits and
take care of the workers at workplace can help the organization to grow with high quality and
performance. The research can use the framework and models along with their theoretical approaches to
analyze the potential of the activities for the organization and the employees.
To analyze the primary data from the research, the organization can make use of the Microsoft Excel or
other tools those can be used to present the information in the graphical and more analytical manner.
Such tools can be used to analyze the information with high accuracy and reliability. Here is the overall
data from the research to meet the organizational goals and objectives for the project.
Is CSR effective?
Yes
No
Somehow effective
Figure 2: Research data analysis
From the above analysis report, it can be said that the CSR project is effective for the workers to meet
the organizational goals and objectives. The research project has inclusion of the non-discrimination
policies and standards, implementation of the health and financial services and support to the employees
for the family welfare. The research has achieved that the most of the workers are satisfied with the
13

organizational practices for the community to support better workplace conditions and balance of the
personal and professional life.
P6: Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data analysis to draw valid
and meaningful conclusions
Recommendations
The research has generated the valid and accurate information on the implementation of the corporate
social responsibilities in the organization. Xerox Corporation has executed the project effectively with
the proper engagement of the workers in the social activities and awareness programs. For the research,
following recommendations can be provided to the organization to enhance the results and improve the
utilization of the time and potential scope with the research:
Communication
Members in the CSR activities can be recommended to communicate to each other with direct method
so that overall time, cost and complexities in the communication can be reduced. The organization can
focus on the more transparent and reliable communication to boost the performance (Öberseder et al,
2013). It can help the organization to handle the discrimination and erroneous practices toward the more
sustainable business operations.
Equality
It is recommended to understand and analyze the equality at workplace. The organization can proper
recognize the role and responsibilities of the employees and monitor their works and performance for
the equal distribution of the benefits. Work recognition is essential in the CSR activities to ensure that
additional benefits are competitive for the employees. Promotion of the equality and acceptance can
help to bring the diversity at workplace and incorporate for the team building.
Resource optimization
CSR practices are not effective if it fails to achieve the customer attention, employee engagement and
community support. The organization has to focus on the utilization of the resources to meet the goals
and objectives (Fernando and Lawrence, 2014). For example, the communication, data sharing and
14

analysis tools, skills of the employees and assets for the awareness and marketing are required to
prepare the campaign and generate the desired information.
Conclusion
From the research, it can be concluded that the organization has strong foundation in the CSR activities
and the practices can be kept continue in nearby future to meet the community expectations and
employee opinions. The organization can use the research data to analyze the expectations for the
benefits and supports and contribute to better tomorrow.
P7: Reflect on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own learning and
performance
Values to undertake the research
The research has help to explore the methods and approaches to collect and process the data for the valid
and accurate results. Before it, the research also supported to prepare the project aims and objectives and
then determine the work distribution or Gantt chart to manage the work. The research has helped to
understand the need of the qualitative and quantitative data for the organizational goals and objectives.
The research has scope for others to understand the use and importance of the CSR practices for the
community, workers and the organization. The research also helps to understand the potential risks and
barriers those can impact the outcome (Burke, 2013). It presents various ways to analyze the data and
prepare the decision making information to support the strategic planning.
Own learning and performance
During the research project, I have got an opportunity to explore the knowledge and understanding for
the corporate social responsibilities. It has helped me to understand the ways in which the organization
can support the workers for the better outcome and living standard. It has helped to know how the
organization can empower the community to fight against the issues and problems and become the
support to drive them in the better conditions. It has generated the relationship between the organization,
community and the business operations. It has learned how various research methods can be used and
data collected from them can be analyzed. I have learned to distribute the work and meet the goals and
objectives. I have good performance at my views as I have contributed effectively to implement the CSR
practices.
15

M3 evaluate your selection of appropriate tools and techniques for accuracy and authenticity to support
and justify recommendations
The research has used mainly Excel as the powerful tool for the data analysis. The data collected from
the workers are formatted in the files and then inbuilt functions are used to prepare the data. It has saved
time and cost to analyze the data and provided more reliability. The tools are effective to meet the goals
and objectives of the organization. It is recommended to use the tool with high precision because the
incorrect input and function can generate the unwanted or incorrect results those can lead further errors
in the practices and strategies (Nasrullah and Rahim, 2014). Also authenticated books and Journals are
used in the project to meet the goals as they are authenticated to provide the theoretical framework and
data on the subject in the easy and effective manner.
The tools used in the research are authenticated. For example, questionnaire is effective to collect the
information from the workers and other users. It provides them flexibility and the time to present their
opinions in the summative forms. Also surveys are effective to enable them for subjective answers on
the questions.
M4. Evaluate the value of the project management process and use of quality research to meet stated
objectives and support own learning and performance
The project management process has helped to segment the activities in the more manageable formats so
that cost and time like resources can be utilized more effectively. The project process has helped to
control the activities and deliver the desired outcomes. The process has optimized the scope and benefits
with the project as new requirements and changes are easily integrated in the project. The overall quality
of the project is managed through the use of the monitoring and analysis tools (Harrison and Lock,
2017). The quality of the project has helped to meet the business goals and objectives to support the
community and generate the potential outcome with the community practices. The practices are
effective to gain the benefits for the organization, customers and the community.
16

Conclusion
Presented report has been discussed the project and its aims and objectives on which basis the detailed
project plan has been created along with milestone and schedule for the activities. The report has been
discussed how various elementary research methods has been used to meet the organizational goals and
objectives. The report also has been concluded that the organization has to conduct the corporate social
responsibilities so that a proper relationship between the hosting community, customers, employees and
the organization can be applied.
17

References
Books and Journals
 Aguinis, H. and Glavas, A., 2012. What we know and don’t know about corporate social
responsibility: A review and research agenda. Journal of management, 38(4), pp.932-968.
 Anderson, D.R., Sweeney, D.J., Williams, T.A., Camm, J.D. and Cochran, J.J.,
2012. Quantitative methods for business. Cengage Learning.
 Burke, R., 2013. Project management: planning and control techniques. New Jersey, USA.
 Devi, T.R. and Reddy, V.S., 2012. Work breakdown structure of the project. Int J Eng Res
Appl, 2(2), pp.683-686.
 Fernando, S. and Lawrence, S., 2014. A theoretical framework for CSR practices: integrating
legitimacy theory, stakeholder theory and institutional theory. Journal of Theoretical Accounting
Research, 10(1), pp.149-178.
 Harrison, F. and Lock, D., 2017. Advanced project management: a structured approach.
Routledge.
 Kerzner, H. and Kerzner, H.R., 2017. Project management: a systems approach to planning,
scheduling, and controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
 Nasrullah, N.M. and Rahim, M.M., 2014. Trends in CSR practices in developed and developing
countries. In CSR in Private Enterprises in Developing Countries (pp. 41-74). Springer, Cham.
 Öberseder, M., Schlegelmilch, B.B. and Murphy, P.E., 2013. CSR practices and consumer
perceptions. Journal of Business Research, 66(10), pp.1839-1851.
 Rao, M., 2012. Knowledge management tools and techniques. Routledge.
 Schwartz, M.S., 2017. Corporate social responsibility. Routledge.
 Slack, K., 2012. Mission impossible?: Adopting a CSR-based business model for extractive
industries in developing countries. Resources Policy, 37(2), pp.179-184.
 Tai, F.M. and Chuang, S.H., 2014. Corporate social responsibility. Ibusiness, 6(03), p.117.
 Taylor, S.J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
18