Managing a Successful Business Project

This report details a project focused on implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities within Rockpool Digital, a UK-based digital agency. The report utilizes a project management approach, outlining aims and objectives, a detailed project management plan (including Gantt charts and a work breakdown structure), and a small-scale research component. The research employs qualitative methods, primarily a questionnaire distributed to managers, to analyze perceptions and practices related to CSR. The data analysis reveals key findings regarding the importance of CSR, significant areas for the company, adoption of CSR activities, initiatives undertaken, responsible departments, implementation methods, budget allocation, and challenges faced. Based on the research, recommendations are provided for improving CSR implementation, focusing on strategic planning and increasing female employee recruitment. The report concludes by reflecting on the value gained from the project, highlighting the learning experience and the importance of CSR for sustainable business growth.

MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Devise project aims and objectives.........................................................................................3
P2 Produce a project management plan.......................................................................................4
P3 Work breakdown structure and gantt charts...........................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P4 Conducting a small scale research by applying appropriate methods....................................8
TASK 3 .........................................................................................................................................20
P5 Analyzing the research and data using appropriate tools and techniques............................20
P6 Recommendations on the basis of research..........................................................................22
TASK 4 ........................................................................................................................................23
P7 Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project ....................................................23
Conclusion:....................................................................................................................................23
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................25
APPENDICES:..............................................................................................................................26

INTRODUCTION
Managing a successful business plan can be defined as a factor which is used to obtain
the desired results of a project. Project management is considered as a beneficial aspect used for
planning various activities. For this, various tools and techniques are used for effective
implementation of the project management plan. This project aims at implementing CSR
activities in small and medium sized organization. For this project, organization which is chosen
is Rockpool Digital company which is a digital agency consisting of 50 digital experts and
having a turnover of 3.5 million GBP. Its work is to design and build digital experiences in
omni-channel world. It has to implement CSR activities in organization as its employee base is
less than 150 and an annual turnover is less than 5 million per annul. It is the responsibility of a
project manager to effectively implement CSR activities in a company to achieve the desired
objectives. This project aims at implementing CSR activities to meet its sustainable objectives.
This report also aims at setting out various aims and objectives for effective implementation of
CSR activities and also consists of various recommendations which is needed by the said
company in order to sustain in future and maintaining positive image in the corporate world.
TASK 1
P1 Devise project aims and objectives
Every organization before implementing CSR activities must focus on its aims and
objectives. Businesses need to have clear aims and objectives before implementing these
activities. Therefore, corporate social responsibility can be defined as an ethical practice which
an organization undertakes towards the society and environment. Its aim is to implement CSR
activities in an organization so as to meet its sustainable objectives.
Objectives for implementation of CSR activities:
objectives for the present study needs to be meet out in order to increase the sustainability
and efficiency of organization. Management consultant of Rockpool Digital describes various
objectives of this study which are:
 To maximize the value of stakeholders by implementing CSR activities where,
stakeholders include shareholders, owners, suppliers etc.
 To minimize any negative effects which are going to harm the society or environment.

 To increase the efficiency of an organization.
 To find out an organization's attitude towards implementing CSR activities to meet
sustainable objectives.
P2 Produce a project management plan
Project management plan of a company covers various aspects like cost, scope, time,
quality etc. Scope of any business project involves gathering information which is required to
start the project and also ensuring that the product have some features which are enough to
satisfy the requirements of stakeholders (Antunes., 2017.) Time of any project covers the
schedule of activities, budget, duration of certain tasks usually with start and finish dates. A
project management plan of a company also covers quality planning and quality assurance and it
focus not only on the products it produces but also on the services it offers. Communication
aspect covers interaction within the company, between the companies which helps to ensure flow
of accurate information.
Risks in the project management should be regularly monitored and management consultant aims
at minimizing risks that are associated with the project activities.
Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Initiation 38 days Thu 5/1
8/17
Mon 7/1
0/17
Identify the research subject 20 days Thu 5/18
/17
Wed 6/1
4/17
Define the research problem 8 days Thu 6/15
/17
Mon 6/2
6/17 2
Setting the time frame for the research 10 days Tue 6/27
/17
Mon 7/1
0/17 3
Planning 97 days Tue 7/1
1/17
Wed 11/
22/17
Creating the project plan 50 days Tue 7/11
/17
Mon 9/1
8/17 2,4
Setting the budget for CSR implementation 25 days Tue 9/19
/17
Mon 10/
23/17 6
Selecting the tools and techniques for implementati
on 15 days Tue 10/2
4/17
Mon 11/
13/17 4,6,7

Resources are allocated according to the CSR imple
mentation 7 days Tue 11/1
4/17
Wed 11/
22/17 7,8
Implementation 133 days Thu 11/
23/17
Mon 5/2
8/18
Hiring a team for CSR activities 18 days Thu 11/2
3/17
Mon 12/
18/17 9
Organizing various campaigns and programs 20 days Tue 12/1
9/17
Mon 1/1
5/18 8,9,11
Applying tools and techniques to collect data 35 days Tue 1/16
/18
Mon 3/5/
18 11,12
Implementing the entire project plan 60 days Tue 3/6/
18
Mon 5/2
8/18 12,13
Monitoring and control 45 days Tue 5/2
9/18
Mon 7/3
0/18
Identification of risks associated with the implement
ation 15 days Tue 5/29
/18
Mon 6/1
8/18 14
Evaluate and monitor results of applying tools 30 days Tue 6/19
/18
Mon 7/3
0/18 16
Closure 33 days Tue 7/3
1/18
Thu 9/13
/18
Demonstration of results and giving conclusions 14 days Tue 7/31
/18
Fri 8/17/
18 17,16
Providing recommendations about the CSR activitie
s 9 days Mon 8/2
0/18
Thu 8/30
/18 19
Providing documentation 6 days Fri 8/31/
18
Fri 9/7/1
8 20
Final submission of the report 4 days Mon 9/1
0/18
Thu 9/13
/18 21

As per the above report of Rock pool Digital, project is planned and the work is done as
per the need of the company. Thus, dividing and distributing the work and setting the time frame
for each activity make it easier for the company in implementing CSR activities and taking CSR
initiatives for better output and efficiency in organization.
P3 Work breakdown structure and gantt charts
Work breakdown structure is also a tool and a technique used by the company in order to
schedule its activities in its specific time frame. It helps in dividing the number of activities into
various sections for effective functioning of project. This structure is considered as a systematic
and structured format which helps in dividing the work as per the time allotted for each activity.
Using the technique of work breakdown structure, completion of the work is estimated in
advance. Gantt charts also how the importance of scheduling of activities. Gantt charts can be
used by the company in determining the completion of activities against the time allotted to
them. Thus, both the tools helps in determining the time which is taken by each activity against
the estimated time period.

Gantt Chart

TASK 2
P4 Conducting a small scale research by applying appropriate methods
Research through Qualitative method:
Qualitative research can be defined as a research which helps in analysis the human
behavior and helps the researcher in decision making. Rock pool Digital is conducting qualitative
research for implementing CSR activity and also to analyses the perception of the management
in implementation of these activities in the organization. For conducting Qualitative research,
management consultant of Rock pool Digital aims at filling an online questionnaire from the
people of the company. Data can be generated through conducting interviews, surveys etc. which
are a part of Qualitative methods. Implementing CSR activities in an organization is very
important to achieve sustainable objectives. Qualitative methods are applied to analyze the
human behavior and the reasons which affects the behavior (Gao, S ., 2017.)
Research through Quantitative method:

Quantitative research is the research which is based on statistical, mathematical and
numerical analysis of data which can be collected through surveys, questionnaires, observation
methods etc. But Rock pool digital is collecting its data by conducting Qualitative research.
Questionnaire must be filled by 5 managers of Rock pool Digital company in order to collect
primary data to understand whether company is undertaking CSR activities or not.
Questionnaire:
Q.1. Is corporate social responsibility is important for Rock wood Digital?
Yes
No
Q.2. What are the areas of CSR which are significant for the company?
Relationship with the clients and suppliers
Relationship with the employees
Relationship with the society
Environmental protection
Q.3. Do you agree with the fact that company is adopting CSR activities?
Strongly agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly disagree
Q.4. What CSR initiatives are taken in your company?
Health
Environment
Education
Women empowerment
Any other else
Q.5. Which departments are mainly responsible for implementation of CSR activities in Rock
pool Digital?
HR department

Managers
Administration department
Others
Q.6. How do you implement CSR activities in your company?
By giving financial support to Non governmental organizations
By protecting environment by not harming it.
Organizing charity program in regular intervals.
Funding given to government
Any other aspect
Q.7. What percentage of your funds has been set aside for CSR activities?
Less than 5%
5-10%
10-20%
20-30%
More than 30%
Q.8. What kind of problems have been faced by the company which force them to implement
CSR activities?
Safety of staff
Women rights
Overtime
Fair pay
others
Q.9. Do you think adopting CSR activities in your organization is useful for the growth of the
company?
Yes, definitely
May or may not
No
Q.10. What do you think could be the main benefit of implementing of CSR activity in your
organization?
Increases the reputation

Improves the relationship with clients, suppliers, stakeholders, employees etc.
Increases an efficiency.
Enhances the overall turnover
Enhances the performance and growth
Theme 1 CSR activities have an important role in Rock pool Digital
Is corporate social responsibility is important for
Rock pool Digital?
frequenc
y percentage
Yes 4 80.00%
No 1 20.00%
Findings and Analysis:
Yes No
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
frequency

the above theme has focused on the importance of CSR activities and initiatives
undertaken by the company. From the analysis of the above data which is collected by
management consultant from 5 managers of Rock pool Digital it has been found out that 80%
managers are agreeing on the fact that it is important for the company to undertake CSR
activities. On the other hand 20% managers are not in favor of undertaking CSR activities in the
organization. They are feeling that CSR is a good strategy but for medium sized firm it is not
necessary to undertake CSR initiatives. Thus, majority of the managers are in favor of the
importance of CSR activities in Rock pool Digital.
Theme 2 Areas which are significant for the company
frequenc
y
Percent
age
relationship with the clients and suppliers 1 20.00%
with the employees 2 40.00%
with the society 1 20.00%
environmental protection 1 20.00%
relationship with the clients and suppliers
with the employees
with the society
envuironmental protection
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
frequency