Project Management Fundamentals

This assignment delves into the fundamental concepts of project management. It examines various aspects of project management, including its definition, key processes, tools, and techniques. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how projects are planned, executed, monitored, and controlled to achieve successful outcomes.

Managing a Successful Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART1.............................................................................................................................................3
PROJECT DEFINITION........................................................................................................3
PROBLEM STATEMENT....................................................................................................4
PROJECT STRATEGY.........................................................................................................4
PROJECT OBJECTIVES.......................................................................................................4
PROJECT SCOPE STATEMENT.........................................................................................5
SUCCESS CRITERIA...........................................................................................................6
PROJECT ASSUMPTIONS..................................................................................................6
PART 2............................................................................................................................................7
IMPLEMENTATIONS PLAN...............................................................................................7
WORK BREAK DOWN STRUCTURE................................................................................8
PROJECT SCHEDULES ....................................................................................................10
PART 3..........................................................................................................................................10
PROJECT PROCESSES......................................................................................................10
COMMUNICATION PLAN................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
When any project plan is made by the organization then they have to make decisions so
that objectives can be accomplished in an efficient manner. Top management is responsible to
make the plans and set the guidelines (Kerzner, 2013). The present report is based ASDA which
is going to make a plan on the basis of the CSR activities so that they will be able to attain their
sustainable objectives and their growth can be enhanced.
PART1
PROJECT DEFINITION
Project is an activity that has to be performed by the organisation so that they can achieve
their sustainable objectives. ASDA make a plan to perform the CSR activities at their workplace
in a specific time or within the specified cost. Through this plan, the retail industry will be able
to know that how they are going to meet the objectives through corporate social responsibility or
not. There are some aim and objectives of the practices that are performed by the organisation
and these are as follows:
Aim: To identify the extent to which CSR activities performance help business firm in
achieving sustainability in business.
Objectives: There are some objectives that are related to the CSR activities so that ASDA
will be able to accomplish their goals. These objectives are:
 To evaluate varied CSR activities that are performed by the firm to gain competitive
advantage.
 To evaluate extent to which CSR make business firm sustainable.
 To identify the relationship between the corporate social responsibility and the objectives
of ASDA.
 To identify the various challenges that are associated with the CSR activities and other
operations of ASDA.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
ASDA implement the plan so that they can resolve their issues that are faced by them at their
workplace. There are some of the issues such as due to CSR companies have to bear some

expenses that affect their profitability (Rosenau and Githens, 2011). Along with this, companies
have to follow CSR so that they can cope up with the policies that are made by the government.
The challenge that is faced by the retail industry is related to the society so that overall welfare
can be improved. So, ASDA have to implement a project of CSR so that they can find out the
solutions and their overall sustainable objectives can be accomplished.
PROJECT STRATEGY
ASDA can follow an effective strategy so that they will be able to implement the corporate social
responsibility in order to accomplish their sustainable objectives. For this, they can set their plan
by taking the effective decisions. For this, the manager of retail industry has to analyse the need
of the CSR for their business so that their overall performance can be improved. After this, they
have to design the strategy so that they can provide benefits to the society. At last the plan can be
implemented so that challenges can be overcome in an efficient manner.
This Project strategy is beneficial for the organisation as through this they will be able
attain their goals. Through this, the firm will be able to identify their current performance so that
they will be able to improve their growth in an efficient manner.
Performance, cost and time objectives
The term project objective refers to the outcome (between £700 and £850) that a project
has to give in a certain amount of time (twenty weeks) in accordance with the regulations of that
particular target group. A project's objective should be set which is within the scope of that
project and the objective should be able to clarify the effect of that project also.
A well-defined project objective is as follows:
 It should clearly describe the effect of the project at the level of outcome
 Stakeholders and other target groups should accept it.
 It should be brief and concise.
A project's objective is to improve the performance by managing time and cost of the execution
as time and cost are the major inputs for any project to achieve its desired goals.
PERFORMANCE can be:
 Function
 Effect
 IRR- cash flow in use

 Business Case
 Perception
The 'Performance' factor defines that what the project is all about and what it has to achieve
through its execution. This factor is also responsible for checking out upto what extent the
characteristics of the project have fulfilled the requirements of the target group. For this the
project manager has to plan for the requirements to be met in long-term perspective as the project
should be ultimately profitable.
The 'Time' factor implies the period within which the project has to be completed.
The time factor is equally crucial for the success of any project, i.e., if the project has not been
completed in the predefined time then it is of no use (Stokes, Wilson and Wilson, 2010).
Therefore time management should be done with planning and proper time should be allotted
each activity of the project.
The 'Cost' factor includes the budget of the project.
The cost factor involves the planning about the estimation, budget and control of the cost so as to
complete the project within the estimated budget. It includes the compilation of the cost of the
resources that can be calculated in monetary terms. Then aggregating or determining the budget
and finally controlling the costs or monitoring the fluctuations in the cost due to unwanted
reasons.
PROJECT SCOPE STATEMENT
ASDA can prepare project scope statement in which they explain that what kind of
factors are included in the CSR activities that help them in improving their performance in the
market.
Included scope: There are some of the factors that are considered by the organisation so
that they can improve their overall performance. Some scopes are as follows:
 Stakeholders: There are some stakeholders that are included by the ASDA in their
corporate social activities. Some of these are customers, suppliers, competitors,
government, employees (Kerzner, 2011). The overall goals of CSR are based on the
people who are associated with the organisations so that their overall satisfaction level
can be increased. Customers are the one who help the organisation in increasing their
profits so the firm have to offer services to their consumers so that their overall
performance can be improved.

 Ethical values: In order to ensure the smooth functioning at the workplace, management
have to follow values and beliefs so that they can lead the company in right direction. For
this, ASDA can follow normative theories so that they can make their customers happy.
Through this, company can also enhance their growth.
Excluded scope: There are some works that are not included into the project plan of the
corporate social responsibility (Cook, Woodall and Frerk, 2011). There are some stakeholders
such as investors and competitors which are not included into the process of the corporate social
responsibilities. Along with this, for this kind of project there is no need of the marketing
strategies and other promotional activities. For these kinds of activities, an organisation will be
able to attract customers by using the word of mouth strategy. Further, there is no need of the
competitive strategies as through Corporate social responsibilities ASDA will be able to increase
the welfare of the society.
SUCCESS CRITERIA
The success of the organisation can be achieved in an efficient manner by following the
corporate social responsibilities at the workplace. The success can be measured on the basis of
some factors such as:
Public relationship: By following the activities of CSR, ASDA will be able to improve
their relations with the public. When these relations are get improved then firm can attract more
customers towards their services. So, by identifying the number of customers an enterprise will
be able to measure their success.
Stakeholder’s satisfaction: When stakeholders such as customers, employees, suppliers
are get satisfied with the services then through this, ASDA can be examine the success of their
activities. When these individuals are more satisfied then due to this their overall growth can be
improved and they will be able to improve their brand image at the workplace.
Social welfare: The main aim of corporate social responsibility is to increase the welfare
in the society (Stark, 2015). Through this, the overall growth of the country also gets improved
and that will lead towards the success. Along with this, the overall growth can be improved at the
workplace.

PROJECT ASSUMPTIONS
When ASDA develop a project plan than in order to accomplish the objectives, manager
make some assumptions so that their overall performance can be improved. These Assumptions
are made on the basis of the expected results so that success can be achieved in the market. The
following assumptions have been made regarding this project:
 Smooth run of the project
 Easy and reliable sources of information
 Sufficient budget
IMPLEMENTATIONS PLAN
Project implementation plan can be defined as the process in which the project is
represented in a structured format that is being provided by the team of financial mechanism.
ASDA can implement its project by considering its objectives and strategies that it has made for
the project. By determining several ways by which company will have their growth and by
analysing the needs of the CSR to increase their overall performance, they can implement their
project in several steps:
 Project implementation plan includes a specific schedule for the implementation of
project; Company will need to take care of the CSR activities that are needed for output
of the project.
 Proper sequence of the activities will be carried out and the time in which these activities
will get done.
 A responsible person will be appointed to carry out these activities and to make use of the
resources effectively and efficiently and also for the budgeting of finance that will be
needed for project.
 Company will choose a specific method to implement a project according to the
guidelines.
 Implementation process will be carried and all the outlines and responsibilities will be
monitored.
 The involvement of the beneficiaries in the implementation will be drawn out according
to the project plan.

 Sustainability of the project will be checked the effect of product on customers and
feedbacks will also be welcomed by the company.
WORK BREAK DOWN STRUCTURE
Work breakdown structure is used by the organisation so that overall tasks can be divide
into certain groups (Söderlund, 2011). Through this, all staff members will be able to understand
their work so that their overall performance can be improved in an efficient manner. Through
this, overall objectives can be accomplished.
Activity Planning Resources required Results
Preparing initial plan Feedback from
supervisor
Laptop, books, research
reports other stationary.
Topic and initial plan
finalisation.
To conduct a meeting
with one of the
managers to have
access to some of
information and consent
for research.
The meeting will be
held before the
conducting survey.
Mobile phone, pen,
papers and so on.
The consent will take.
Survey question design Research, sample to
supervisor for approval
Laptop, books, research
reports other stationary
Final Survey questions
Survey will be
conducted through the
direct contact.
Talk to the customer
ahead of the survey to
establish relationship
and confidence.
Survey questionnaire The information can be
gathered from data
collection.

PROJECT SCHEDULES
Now, on the basis of the work division and other project development plan the schedule
is prepared by the manager so that overall activities (Alhawari and et. al., 2012). Through this
kind of plan, manager will be able to accomplish their tasks on time so that overall objectives can
be achieved.
Tasks/ Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Developing the
initial planning
Survey design
Data collection
Data analysis
Data
presentation
Submission
PROJECT PROCESSES
Project process is the combination of the different process so that goals can be achieved
in an efficient manner. Through the step by step process, an individual will be able to achieve
success in the market and along with this effectiveness can be achieved. Through this process,
manager of ASDA can implement CSR activities so that their overall performance can be
improved (Cook and et.al., 2011). For every project, an effective closing is must then only the
firm will be able to enhance their growth in the market. There are some steps are involved in the
process such as initiation, launching, performing and closing. Through this, companies will be
able to attain their goals and their overall performance can be improved.

COMMUNICATION PLAN
It is very important to communicate a project plan to stakeholders for the effective
implementation of project. A communication plan will direct the message to stakeholders that are
a part of project or will get affected by project (Caniëls and Bakens, 2012). They are a critical
part of any project. A high level of communication should be there for the essential requirement
of any project. For communicating about a project to the team member, to conduct a formal
meeting is necessary. Use of emails is also there to have communication with each other. Emails,
social media apps and instant messaging is also used to communicate with employees and boss.
A specific communication plan can be used as:
Type of
communicatio
n
Communication
objective
method Frequency Audience Owner
Kickoff
meeting
To introduce project
to the project team
and for the review
of approaches of
management and
project objectives in
an organisation
Direct face on
face
communicatio
n
Once . sponsor of
project
. Team of
project
.Stakeholder
Project
manager
Meetings of
project team
To review project
status with the team,
and to see its
development
according to the
project objectives
Direct face on
face or
through
conference
calling
As required Team of
project
Manager of
project
Monthly
meeting of
project status
To report the status
of the particular
project to the
management or
administration of
Direct face on
face
presentation
and
conference
Monthly Project
management
office
Manager of
the project

the organisation call
Status of the
project report
To report the status
of the particular
project that is being
carried in an
organisation in
inclusion of its cost,
activities, issues and
progress
Direct face to
face
communicatio
n or
presentation
or Email
Weekly To the sponsor
of the project,
team of the
project,
customers and
stakeholders
Manager of
the project
This type of communication plan can be used in ASDA to communicate status of the project to
various members, whether it is a team, sponsor, customer or stakeholder. To have a proper
communication plan is important in an organisation for the effective implementation of the
project and for the management of the project in effective and efficient manner (Artto and et. al.,
2011). It will also be helpful in reviewing the project and if there is any discrepancies or
problems than it can be solved at starting level.

Risk management Plan:
Risks Level Impact on project Action Date completed
Ineffective data
collection
high The project will
be highly
effective due to
the quality of the
data collected.
Communication
with the
customers and
other sample size
to ensure a
smooth
relationship to
conduct the
research.
A low analysing
of the data
medium Quality of the
research will be
affected.
Training will be
taken to learn the
skills required to
analyse the data.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report it can be concluded that for every project management
plan it is necessary to make the effective objectives so that plan can be implemented in an
efficient manner. Along with this, problems statements and project assumptions are necessary to
make an effective plan as through this they will be able to achieve effectiveness. Success can
also be measured on the basis of the satisfaction of stakeholders and other factors. The manager
of an enterprise can use work division strategy in order to maintain the performance level.
Further, a project schedule can be prepared on the basis of the number of weeks. Communication
plan can also be made by ASDA so that they can communicate with their staff members and
customers in an efficient manner.

Part 2:
P4: Definition of qualitative and quantitative research.
Qualitative research is primarily determines as exploratory research. It is used to gain
understanding reason, opinion and motivations. With the help of qualitative research, insight
knowledge can be provide that assists to develop ideas and hypotheses for further research
program. In addition to this, it is also used in uncover trends in thought and opinions which dive
deeper into the problem. Qualitative data collection methods vary to use unstructured techniques.
In order to implement qualitative research, there are several methods can be determines at
workplace such as focus group, individual interview, participation, observation, etc.
In addition to this, quantitative research also used to quantify the problem and issue in a
way that generate numerical data which can be transform into usable statistics. This is used in
quantify attitude, opinion, behaviours and other defined variables that generalized results from
larger sample population. It assists to find fact measurable data that formulate effective research
program within the enterprise. It can be done through online surveys, paper surveys, mobile
surveys, face to face interviews, telephone interviews, etc.
What methods used: In the present research study, quantitative research method has been used
that assists to find useful information within the enterprise. In this aspect, thematic analysis has
been used that assists to meet with goals and objectives in successful manner within the
enterprise. With the help of quantitative analysis, there are different themes can be made that
assists to make findings and conclusion in business enterprise.
Part 3:
Part 3: Data Analysis
1. Frequency of shopping:

According to the graph above more than half people shop at ASDA once a week whereas
only 17% said they shop every day. Out of 20 candidate 13% people said they shop once a year.
2. The satisfaction of products:
According
to the graph
above more
than half
people like
75% are
satisfy with
all the products of ASDA and they are happy to recommend to friends and family, but it is a
remaining part of 25% that it still unsatisfied but ASDA will try to make happy as well.
3. Quality satisfaction?

In this graph 60% of the customers they are fully satisfied with the quality of the product,
27% are not sure with all the products and that ASDA is trying to make more offer’s like get
2for 1.Unfurnately remain 13% of customers unsatisfied because they had issue with some of the
products.
4. Do you think ASDA is taking customer feedback responsively?
According to the graph above, half of the people surveyed said ASDA took care of the customer
in many areas, however, 40% people are unsure about whether customer’s feedback was taken
into consideration after by the company. There were 10% people who said ASDA was not taking
care of their customer’s feedback.

5. When you buy products do you think about long term future?
According to this paragraph it was quite surprising that 15% said sometimes they buy
products just for short term because they have more options, 25% said no because they never
chose products for long term and 60% said are satisfied with all the products and that’s why
thing in future.
6. Do you think ASDA is behaving ethically?
According to the graph above 75% of people think that behaves ethically towards society and
customers but 25% still think the company do not behave ethically.
7. Does helping society in future helps ASDA to grow?

According to the graph above 48%said yes because as a result of this research, ASDA
trying to help customers saving money in their own homes and increase the trust they have in
ASDA in terms of sustainability, but 40% are not sure and 12% don’t believe in the future.
8. How much do you care about being green?
According to the graph above 80% of the customers of Asda they believe in being green and
20% do not care about the green environment. Therefore ASDA should be able to participate
their customers more on any environmental CSR activities more so that they can contribute
collectively.
9. Do you think ASDA is Eco friendly company?

P6: recommendation
In respect to assess implementation of CSR activities on business performances,
following recommendation can be made within Asda:
 Provide them flexible working hours: In order to make effective CSR activities, Asda
need to determines flexible working hours' facility to their employees. In this way,
loyalty can be made towards them in effective way that assists to accomplish goals and
objectives within the organisation. Further, it creates facility to workers to manage their
own and company work in effective way. Therefore, profitable results can be made in
successful manner.
 Gives several benefits to make sustainability: In respect to ascertain more profits and
revenue, sustainability can also manage within the business unit. Therefore, Asda need to
manage functions and operations in successful way through share task and manage work
effectively.
 Provide opportunities to accomplish goals and objectives: Another recommendation
can be made at chosen business unit is determines opportunities that assists to meet with
goals and objectives. In respect to regulate CSR activities, Asda need to provide several
tasks to employees so that environment can be changed with retail work and
determination. Good job is high award that assists to treat everyone fairly and equally.

P7: reflection:
From the above report, I have develops my understanding and competency to make
effective results within Asda. It assists to me to enhance learning in various activities that
promote knowledge and developing in effective way. This helpful me to prepare plan regarding
meeting and objectives of the organisation that assists to meet with targets and goals of the
organisation. Further, various theme provide fact knowledge and treating each person fairly to
develop effective results at workplace. In addition to this, it giving me effective results that
protect to business environment in effective manner for ascertain more profits and revenue at
workplace. I develop my research skills and knowledge to determines effective position in
market. With the help of quantitative analysis, I have developed my understanding in this area.
CSR activities that assists to make sustainability within the business environment. Relation
between Asda objectives and corporate social responsibilities. This activity develops through
designing questionnaire towards customers that perform effective functions within the business
environment. With the help of identifying employee motivation towards their work within the
organisation, assists to identify relationship with various factors. In respect to develop
performances, following are further researched study can be done:
 To assess factors that promote CSR activities within the retail sector business.
 To analysis motivation of employee performances in order to make their sustainability in
hospitality industry.
 To assess importance of CSR activities to implement it within the health care
organisation.
COMPETENCY HOW I HAVE
DEVELOPED IN THIS
AREA
WHAT I NEED TO DO TO
DEVELOP FURTHER IN
THIS AREA
I enhance my analytical skills Through taking guidelines
from mentor
I have to take knowledge-
based from various people
surrounding me.
Strategic thinking With the help of different
journals and books
I have to set small task and
objectives that are related with
research topic.
Project planning Through learning capabilities With taking guidance from

collogues and mentor.
Communication skills With the help of thematic
analysis
Through interaction many
people in research.
Report writing Through guidance from
mentor and collogues
Internet sources
Team building Through role play and
discussion
Through perform management
games
Research skills Through continuous analysis
of various people views
Through conducting more
research in different topics and
areas.
Negotiation Through sharing roles and
responsibilities
With the help of identifying
task and activities.
Delegation With the help of taking
responsibilities to accomplish
findings from various analysis
Through sharing roles and
responsibilities
Budget planning Through determining
arrangement of fund on each
task
With the help of assessment of
fund requirement in each
activity and task.
Risk assessment Through perform task and
activities
Identifying issue and solve
them quickly.
Progress monitoring Through taking feedbacks Taking feedback from mentor
and other people.

REFERENCES
Books and Journal
Kerzner, H., 2013. Project management: a systems approach to planning, scheduling, and
controlling. John Wiley & Sons.
Rosenau, M.D. and Githens, G.D., 2011. Successful project management: a step-by-step
approach with practical examples. John Wiley & Sons.
Gasik, S., 2011. A model of project knowledge management. Project Management Journal.
42(3). pp.23-44.
Kerzner, H., 2011. Using the project management maturity model: strategic planning for project
management. John Wiley & Sons.
Cook, T.M., Woodall, N. and Frerk, C., 2011. Major complications of airway management in the
UK: results of the Fourth National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists
and the Difficult Airway Society. Part 1: anaesthesia. British journal of anaesthesia.
106(5). pp.617-631.
Stark, J., 2015. Product lifecycle management. In Product Lifecycle Management (pp. 1-29).
Springer International Publishing.
Kapsali, M., 2011. Systems thinking in innovation project management: A match that works.
International Journal of Project Management. 29(4). pp.396-407.
Söderlund, J., 2011. Pluralism in project management: navigating the crossroads of
specialization and fragmentation. International Journal of Management Reviews. 13(2).
pp.153-176.
Alhawari, S. and et. al., 2012. Knowledge-based risk management framework for information
technology project. International Journal of Information Management. 32(1). pp.50-65.
Cook, T.M. and et.al., 2011. Major complications of airway management in the UK: results of
the Fourth National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the
Difficult Airway Society. Part 2: intensive care and emergency departments. British
journal of anaesthesia. 106(5). pp.632-642.
Caniëls, M.C. and Bakens, R.J., 2012. The effects of Project Management Information Systems
on decision making in a multi project environment. International Journal of Project
Management. 30(2). pp.162-175.
Artto, K. and et. al., 2011. The integrative role of the project management office in the front end
of innovation. International Journal of Project Management. 29(4). pp.408-421.
Pak, A. and Majd, F., 2011. Integrated coastal management plan in free trade zones, a case study.
Ocean & coastal management. 54(2). pp.129-136.
Ahern, T., Leavy, B. and Byrne, P.J., 2014. Complex project management as complex problem
solving: A distributed knowledge management perspective. International Journal of
Project Management. 32(8). pp.1371-1381.
Hall, N.G., 2012. Project management: Recent developments and research opportunities. Journal
of Systems Science and Systems Engineering. pp.1-15.
Petit, Y., 2012. Project portfolios in dynamic environments: Organizing for uncertainty.
International Journal of Project Management. 30(5). pp.539-553.
Online

Project management fundamentals. 2016. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.apm.org.uk/resources/what-is-project-management/>. [Accessed
on 4th April 2017].
What Is Project Management?. 2017. [Online]. Available
through:<https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_00.htm>. [Accessed on 4th
April 2017].