Project Management and Research Methodology

The assignment provided is a detailed report on a project management case study. The student has conducted research and created a project management plan, including a work breakdown structure, Gantt chart, and network diagram. The report also discusses the importance of research methodology in project management and provides references to relevant journals and books.

MANAGING SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS

ILLUSTRATION INDEX
Illustration 1: Work breakdown structure .......................................................................................4
Illustration 2: Gantt Chart................................................................................................................4
Illustration 3: Network Diagram......................................................................................................5

PROJECT TOPIC
“Implementing CSR activities within organisations to meet sustainable objectives”
INTRODUCTION
Each and every organisation considers various kinds of the methods and techniques in
order to boost up profitability and achieve objectives. Corporate social responsibility is one of
the highly important tools which is used by most of the firms in corporate world. The present
study is based on LSI Architects company which is one of the small enterprises within
construction industry of UK. The project provides information about ways in which CSR
activities have created an impact on the business operations. Moreover, from the study reader
will be able to assess that from CSR initiatives LSI Architects meet sustainable objectives up to
which extent properly. Apart from this, it elaborates various project management tools like Gantt
chart and network diagram. The critical path is also determined in the study which is supportive
to reduce total project duration and achieve objectives within the time frame. At the end of the
study, suggestions or recommendations are provided to LSI Architects to use other effective CSR
initiatives within the working environment.
TASK 1
P1 Aim as well as objectives of the study
Aim:
To analyse influences of Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) on a company for
gaining competitive benefits and achieving sustainable objectives.
On the basis of above stated aim, objectives gained which are mentioned as below:
Objectives:
 To identify existing CSR activities implemented by LSI Architects within the workplace.
 To recognise the impact of CSR initiatives on the buying behaviour of the customers
within LSI Architects.
 To assess influences of CSR activities on competitive benefits of the selected retail store.
 To recommend LSI Architects for considering additional CSR initiatives to meet the
objectives.
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P2 Preparation of project management plan based on activities, time and cost
A formal outline in which activities showed that how the project will be started, executed
and monitored in an appropriate manner is known as project management plan (Ramazani and
Jergeas, 2015). It is one of the highly important concepts of each and every study by which team
is able to meet its agreed objectives properly. Through this plan individual of the project and
overall group can know that which activities are mandatory to consider and which can be avoid
(Garel, 2013). For the present research of LSI Architects company, project management plan is
prepared as shown below:
Activity Name of task or activity Preceding
activity
Time resources
(in days)
Financial
resources (in GBP)
Planning phase of project 21 days 1390 GBP
A Select topic of the project - 5 300
B Determine issues or problem
statement
A 2 150
C Devise aims and objectives A, B 3 200
D Preparing budget C 4 90
E Allocate needed resources D 7 650
Implementation phase of
project
49 days 4170 GBP
F Reviews of different kinds of
literatures
E 11 980
G Select specific tools for
research
E 5 350
H Collect valid and reliable F, G 13 1120
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information (Walker, 2015)
I Structuring collected data in
proper way
H 3 260
J Assessing facts which are
gathered
I 17 1460
Closing phase of project 17 days 1990 GBP
K Draw an appropriate
conclusion
J 9 750
L Give suitable advice to LSI
Architects
K 4 590
M Project documentation K, L 3 450
N Final submission of the project M 1 200
Total duration and budget of the research 87 days 7550 GBP
P3 Stating work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Project management is a wide topic which includes several kinds of the tools and aspects.
After taking help of these techniques, project plan become highly effective and can be managed
appropriately. Basic tools of this particular subject include WBS, network diagram, critical path
as well as the Gantt chart (Martinsuo, 2013). These all the charts and structure are prepared with
the help of above project management plan and this is stated below:
WBS
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Illustration 1: Work breakdown structure
Gantt Chart
4

Illustration 2: Gantt Chart
Network Diagram
Illustration 3: Network Diagram
Critical Path
1+3+4+5+6+8+9+10+11+13+14
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Project duration
5+3+4+7+11+13+3+17+9+3+1 = 76 days
From the above critical path, it has been derived that project can be completed within 76
days instead of total 87 days. Moreover, the project will accomplish before 11 days from the
deadline predetermined.
TASK 2
P4 Conducting small-scale research by considering base of qualitative method
In order to make an analysis of a particular problem statement, different kinds of research
methods are taken into consideration by the scholar. After taking help of these tools effective
study can be done and valid conclusion can be drawn. There are basically two methods included
for conducting research like qualitative and quantitative. In the project when the solution has to
be determined using facts and figures then the second method of research is considered i.e.
quantitative approach. On the other hand, if a study is based on the theoretical concept then not
required considering numerical part and that time qualitative tool is undertaken (Mackey and
Gass, 2015). The present project uses questionnaire and avoid to the numerical facts and
secondary information. Due to this reason, the qualitative technique of investigation seems
highly suitable in the present study where in which survey source used by the analyst. Moreover,
questionnaire and analysis of the study both are stated below:
Research Questionnaire
Demographic Information
Name _________________
Age ___________________
Gender ________________
Que. 1: Do you know about CSR initiative concept properly used by an organisation?
 Yes
 No
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Que. 2: Which among these CSR activities currently adopted by LSI Architects company?
 Women empowerment
 Financial support to charitable trusts
 Developing rural areas
 Environment protection
Que. 3: Do you agree that CSR initiatives help toboost up buying behaviour of consumers?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Moderate
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Que. 4: Do you think that CSR activities are supportive to improve sales and profitability of LSI
Architects in the industry?
 Yes
 No
Que. 5: From the following which of the department is responsible for framing and
implementing CSR initiatives within an enterprise?
 Human resource
 Corporate governance
 Administration department
Que. 6: Do you agree that LSI Architects can sustain in market for long-term after performing
CSR activities?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
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 Moderate
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Que. 7: Do you want to recommend LSI Architects for adopting additional CSR activities
within workplace?
 Yes
 No
Thematic analysis:
Theme 1: Managers know about CSR initiative concept properly used by an organisation.
Responses Respondents
Yes 8
No 4
Total 12
Yes
No
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
8
4
8

Analysis: From the above stated theme, it can be found that 8 managers out of 12 of LSI
Architects enterprise have knowledge about CSR initiatives. In opposite to this, only 4
respondents were unaware of these kinds of strategies executed within the working environment.
The reason is that, the majority of the managers involved by the companies while framing as
well as introducing CSR activities. There are few managers who are not taking participation in
this CSR activities by which they do not know about this.
Theme 2: CSR activities which are currently adopted by LSI Architects company.
Responses Respondents
Women empowerment 3
Financial support to charitable trusts 4
Developing rural areas 3
Environment protection 2
Total 12
Women empowerment
Financial support to charitable trusts
Developing rural areas
Environment protection
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
3
4
3
2
Analysis: It has been depicted on the above prepared chart that, LSI Architects adopted
different types of the CSR activities currently. As per 4 managers of LSI, it supports charitable
institutes and trusts in monetary form which is one of the effectual CSR. Apart from this, it
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works for women empowerment in the country according to 3 respondents among 12. Further, in
the opinion of rest 3 and 2 managers, the LSI Architects develop villages or rural areas and
protect environment respectively. Henceforth, it usually adopts all the cited activities for meeting
objectives.
Theme 3: Managers strongly agree that CSR initiatives help to boost up buying behaviour of
consumers.
Responses Respondents
Strongly agree 5
Agree 4
Moderate 2
Disagree 1
Strongly disagree 0
Total 12
5
4
2
1
Strongly agree
Agree
Moderate
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Analysis: According to 5 respondents, the company can enhance purchasing power and
behaviour of the customers through CSR activities. Further, 4 managers agree to the above stated
statement which reflects that LSI Architects is beneficial from implementing this kind of
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strategies. When looking at the negative side, then very less number of managers giving response
which are like 3. These are those respondents who are not aware about the concept of CSR.
Accordingly, LSI Architects should continue with same and new CSR initiatives in the industry
of construction.
Theme 4: CSR activities are supportive to improve sales and profitability of LSI Architects in
industry.
Responses Respondents
Yes 7
No 5
Total 12
Yes
No
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
7
5
Analysis: It can be ascertained from the study that, activities done for social welfare are
supportive for the cited construction company in terms of generating more sales according to 7
respondents. Therefore, profitability and the overall business of LSI Architects can be enhanced
within the relevant market sector. When looking at the negative aspect then total 5 managers
giving response. Respondents who say that through CSR initiatives, level of revenue and profit
cannot be improved are those who were unknown from this concept. Further, due to lack of
proper and adequate knowledge about the social welfare strategy they gave negative response
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Theme 5: Corporate governance is a responsible department for framing and implementing CSR
initiatives within the enterprise.
Responses Respondents
Human resource 3
Corporate governance 7
Administration department 2
Total 12
Human resource
Corporate governance
Administration department
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
3
7
2
Analysis: When an organisation considers various techniques of CSR within workplace
then a particular department is made responsible for analysing this. As per the opinion of 7
managers among sample of 12, corporate governance is one of the major and vital department
which is responsible for CSR activities. In the views of 3 respondents, human resource
department takes care and frame initiatives of social welfare. Moreover, only 2 managers agree
on the option of admnistrative department and say that it is responsible for functions related to
CSR. Further, it can be concluded that responsible department for framing as well as executing
CSR initiatives within the company is corporate governance.
Theme 6: Managers strongly agree that LSI Architects can sustain in the market for long-term
after performing CSR activities.
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Responses Respondents
Strongly agree 5
Agree 3
Moderate 2
Disagree 1
Strongly disagree 1
Total 12
Strongly agree Agree Moderate Disagree Strongly disagree
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
5
3
2
1 1
Analysis: According to the present theme, a major number of respondents i.e.5 out of 12
strongly agree to the above asked statement. As per them, CSR activities are highly helpful for
LSI Architects in order to sustain within industry for long period. Further, 3 managers agree on
the questionnaire asked from them which is also in favour of the cited entity. Apart from this, 4
respondents are at the moderate level and has a negative opinion to the above statement. In
accordance to other respondents, after performing CSR initiatives, LSI Architects will not affect
in a positive direction for generating more profit. Therefore, objectives to meet sustainability
cannot be accomplished. Further, the management of LSI enterprise should adopt social welfare
activities which will be supportive for it to sustain within the market segment.
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Theme 7: Managers want to recommend LSI Architects for adopting additional CSR activities
within the workplace.
Responses Respondents
Yes 9
No 3
Total 12
Yes
No
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
9
3
Analysis: The present aforementioned data and chart shows recommendations which are
given by managers of the company. Among total 12 respondents, 9 want to give suggestion to
the cited firm and say that it needs to continue with existing CSR activities. Along with this, the
management requires adopting other additional initiatives as well. Moreover, 3 managers do not
want to provide any kind of suggestion to LSI Architects that what it should do regarding CSR
initiatives within the working environment.
TASK 3
P5 Assessing research tools and methods which are suitable for the present study
In the research project, different tools and methods are used by the scholar which support
in conducting research effectively. Along with this, to derive appropriate outcome of the analysis
also several research methods are required (Vaioleti, 2016). These techniques which are used for
conducting present study are explained as below:
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Research type: Generally, a study or research is of the two kinds which involve qualitative as
well as the quantitative analysis. Due to having theoretical nature of the research, qualitative
method is considered by the scholar. According to the selected tool, any type of numerical facts
are not used for drawing an effective conclusion.
Research approach: The tool which shows the general structure of the overall report in order to
analyse problem statement is known as research approach (Flick, 2015). It has mainly two parts
like inductive and deductive. Under the present study of assessing the impact of CSR activities
on LSI Architects inductive approach is taken into account by the researcher. As per this, study
starts with observation and completed with the theory part where outcomes are to be reflected.
Research design: After using this mentioned tool of research, the investigator makes outline that
how and in which ways overall analysis can be done. There are different kinds of the designs
included, among them descriptive approach is preferred by the analyst in the present study (Basic
Research Designs, 2012). As per descriptive design, a topic is taken which is the impact of CSR
activities in the present case and described in-depth using data and information.
Data collection: The tool which supports an investigator for gathering valid data in the proper
direction is considered as data collection. Primary and secondary, two types of information are
there which helps in conducting research and derive conclusion. In the present study, primary
data is collected from the managers of LSI Architects firm. In order to accomplish activity of
data collection, survey source is undertaken by the researcher (Riedl, Davis and Hevner, 2014).
Further, research questionnaire is prepared and distributed to selected managers of the firm for
collecting valid information.
Data sampling: When samples are selected from the targeted population in order to gather
information then sampling tools are used. In the present project, probabilistic technique of
sampling is taken into account where randomly samples are collected from the overall
population. In this, 12 managers of LSI Architects business are chosen to whom the
questionnaire will be given and data has been gathered.
Data analysis: One of the highly important and applicable parts in any research is data analysis.
Under this collected data set is arranged and then analysed after applying either thematic or
statistical methods (Lushey and Munro, 2015). The study is of the theoretical or qualitative
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nature; therefore, thematic method is undertaken by the investigator. In accordance to this
analysis method, themes are prepared using questionnaire.
P6 Conclusion and suggestions on the basis of analysing information
From the present study, it has been found that corporate social responsibility is one of the
significant strategy adopted by an enterprise. As an organisation implements number of CSR
activities within working environment then it can enhance its level and image within a
competitive market. This specific method creates positive impact on both aspects which involve
corporate world and society. It can be analysed that; LSI Architects firm uses various kinds of
the CSR activities which create positive impact on it. Further, those initiatives for social welfare
taken include empowering women, developing rural areas, protecting environment etc. Along
with this, it provides help to the charitable institutes in financial terms which is one of the
effective strategies. From the findings, it can be stated that when LSI Architects adopt CSR
activities in the working environment, then purchasing behaviour of customers can be influenced
in a proper manner. Therefore, revenue and profit both will be generated as well as boost up
performance in the overall construction sector.
Beside this, it can be concluded from the primary data and analysis that corporate
governance is an important function of the LSI Architects which handled CSR initiatives taken
by it. When talking about the sustainability in the market then a majority of the respondents
agree that it is possible for LSI Architects to sustain for long period of time through such
activities. Hence, it has been proven from the present study that CSR initiatives create a positive
impact on the firm. Moreover, it is able to gain competitive benefits and achieve the purpose of
sustainability in the industry in a proper way.
From the findings, majority of the managers want to suggest the cited firm to implement
additional CSR initiatives within the workplace. Hence, it can be suggested to LSI Architects
that it needs to do work for voluntary hazard elimination which is usually adopted in the
manufacturing companies. Under this, it should provide safety equipment to the employees who
are working on construction sites.. It is one of the best social responsibility which creates a
positive impact on the firm among the workforce.
In addition to this, it requires considering wide range of the philanthropy which includes
financial support for needy people. Along with this, in this strategy management contributes
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financially within an educational field as well as hospitals. Those people who cannot take
education due to lack of monetary or lower economic conditions, to whom LSI Architects should
give financial support. Therefore, more customers will approach towards it in order to purchase
its products and services.
Moreover, with the help of competitive strategies like cost and product differentiation
also the LSI Architects firm can gain benefits within perfect or normal competitive market. It
will be highly supportive for gaining advantages in terms of competitive and create the brand
image in the society. Therefore, sustainability objectives will be ultimately achieved by the cited
firm within the construction industry.
TASK 4
P7 Reflective statement about self-learning from the present project
It was a great and beneficial experience of mine to accomplish the present project. From
this, I am able to know several things by which I was totally unknown. Before starting the study,
I had no knowledge that in which ways objectives are framed with the help of selected aim
properly. In the present time after conducting research, by taking base of aim I can easily frame
objectives in an appropriate direction. Along with this, I got knowledge regarding the project
management plan and framed activities on the basis of various phases. Before the present project,
I knew about MS Project Software in basic way but unable to run or operate that. As I completed
this project then I become more capable to operate this software and prepare network diagram
easily. Besides these all, through this project I aware about impacts of CSR activities on the
company. In previous of project completion, I cleared about the concept but unknown that it is a
supportive tool for gaining competitive benefits in the relevant industry. Moreover, I learned
different concepts and gain better experience from the study which will be supported for me in
the future.
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REFERENCES
Journals and Books
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Garel, G., 2013. A history of project management models: From pre-models to the standard
models. International Journal of Project Management. 31(5). pp. 663-669.
Lushey, C. J. and Munro, E. R., 2015. Participatory peer research methodology: An effective
method for obtaining young people’s perspectives on transitions from care to adulthood?
Qualitative Social Work. 14(4). pp.522-537.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S. M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Martinsuo, M., 2013. Project portfolio management in practice and in context. International
Journal of Project Management. 31(6). pp. 794-803.
Ramazani, J. and Jergeas, G., 2015. Project managers and the journey from good to great: The
benefits of investment in project management training and education. International
Journal of Project Management. 33(1). pp. 41-52.
Riedl, R., Davis, F. D. and Hevner, A. R., 2014. Towards a NeuroIS research methodology:
intensifying the discussion on methods, tools, and measurement. Journal of the
Association for Information Systems. 15(10). pp.
Vaioleti, T. M., 2016. Talanoa research methodology: A developing position on Pacific research.
Waikato Journal of Education. 12(1).
Walker, A., 2015. Project management in construction. John Wiley & Sons.
Online
Basic Research Designs, 2012. [Online]. Available through:
<https://cirt.gcu.edu/research/developmentresources/tutorials/researchdesigns> [Accessed
on 7th June 2017].
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