M&S Talent Management Strategies: A Business Project Management Plan

This report presents a project management plan focused on talent management strategies within Marks & Spencer (M&S). It covers the stages of the project lifecycle, factors to consider when compiling a project management plan (PMP), different research methods and their value to project management, and a detailed project management plan containing descriptions of various aspects. The research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection, including questionnaires. The report also discusses the importance of talent management in retaining skilled employees and strategies for attracting and motivating a talented workforce. Finally, it reflects on the value of undertaking the project to meet stated objectives and own learning and performance, ultimately aiming to provide insights into effective talent management practices within a multinational organization like M&S.

Managing a Successful
Business Project
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY .................................................................................................................................3
P1. Stages of project life cycle and its significance to the success of a project..........................4
P3. Different research methods and strategies and its value to project management. ...............6
P4: Produce a project management plan containing description of different aspects.................8
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart......................................................................10
P6. Business project as mentioned within the PMP and share findings....................................13
P7 Evaluation research and data using appropriate tools and techniques ................................18
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the project to meet stated objectives and own learning
and performance........................................................................................................................19
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................20
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................21
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INTRODUCTION
Employees are one of the most important part of an organization that contribute towards
betterment of an organization helping achieving goals and objectives set by an organization.
They are important for an organization as there working behaviour as per strategies framed over
retaining organization over long time period. Also, employees lead towards making task
completed more effectively. The management requires to perform research for developing valid
conclusion which helps over forming strong decisions making with effective approach. The
present assignment report us related to Marks and Spencer that engages offering upon wide range
of products and services regarding clothing and food products etc. The organization is known for
attaining strong market position with the help of skilled ad experience workforce. The report is
based upon discussing aims and objectives with project management plan. Thus report explains
about research methodology and data analysis for drawing out valid conclusion at the end of
research.
MAIN BODY
Overview of the Research: The research relates with Talent management that is
important towards for an business to achieve its goals and objectives in effective way. In relation
to M&S its management has been focused over making talent management practices which leads
upon attracting more talented workforce within an organization. This is helpful for developing
workings stargates over capabilities of business improved regarding motivation which can be
rendered for employees in effective way. M&S is multinational organization known for its
clothing product and accessories thus it is required for them to inherit these strategies within
business helping over retaining talented workforce which attracts talented workforce to attract
talent providing positive implication while improving productivity with over all growth
perspective. Thus in light of above mentioned objective robust research is being conducted in
order to inculcate appropriate strategies through which talented workforce can be retained and
attracted.
Aim: “ To understand different strategies that could be used within an organization for its
purpose top retain talented workforce”. A case study on M&S.
Objectives:
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 To develop understanding in relation to talent management taking place within an
organization
 To signify talent management in business with significance over retention of talented
workforce.
 To analyse principles used by an business with the purpose to inherit talent management.
 To cover importance of talent management principle in business operations. To examine strategies that can be used within an organization for retaining talented
workforce.
Research questions:
 What is talent management for an organization
 What significance does talent management hold in terms of retaining skilled employees
for an business.
 What principles are to be instigated by business for talent management.
 What importance is hold by business organization.
 What strategies can be used by business to inhale talented workforce.
P1. Stages of project life cycle and its significance to the success of a project.
Project management is based upon those practices which relates with skills, knowledge,
methods, processes and tools for achieving certain perspective related to project helping in
making objectives and requirements of project fulfilled while covering its various aspects like
budget and time frame(Tripathi and Jha, 2018). The management has covered various policies
and principles used within project phases. These phases are used for making project complete in
more effective way. The project management life cycle contains certain steps which are
explained below in relation to M&S project as follows:
 Initiation: The first step is related over success within project. As per this stage needs
should be identified for acknowledging organizational problems, requirements and
opportunity which makes project objective achieved while seizing opportunity for
making project completed more effectively. In case of M&S talent management is
required as it helps upon making work to be completed in effective way without any
problem. Through talented workforce project is initiated with positive approach helping
in delivering project more effectively. This stage also helps in identifying appropriate
talent within an employee.
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 Planning: After checking feasibility another step is to plan for project this allows plans
to be formed over creating team for project while preparing time frame in order to
completed project. In relation to M&S the project is divided into small parts estimating
amount of money is spent upon project for gaining maximum returns from it. This helps
upon regulating project in more effective way.
 Execution: This is based over executing project over actual plans turned within action.
The work of project manager keep organizing team members while dealing over meeting
project in more effective way(Sospeter, Rwelamila and Gimbi, 2021). So, the chosen
organization like M&S makes project managed while executing in positive manner. M&S
is required to develop quality within project through talented workforce. In this
investment makes track to be respected over resources and assets.
 Closure: This is the closure phase of project life cycle. For M&S, the project manager
facilitates final deliverables, release resources and assets and address the success of
project.
Importance of project life cycle:
 It provides a structure for project delivery: This is required by project manager of
M&S as it helps in making project life cycle included over structuring ways in which
project is delivered. It allows employees over working upon particular task to know and
monitor while progressing in problem with different perspectives and its results.
 It enables progress to be tracked across the organisation: The project life cycle has
enabled project manager for deleting success over stage and project to be completed in
effective way.
 It indulges for the progressive evaluation of the project: The project life cycle stages
upon facilitating about understanding project and its development over areas and
attaining different times in early stage of risk management and various other things.
P2. Factors to be addressed when compiling a PMP.
Project management plan is based over formal and approval perspective which is used
upon explaining upon task executed and evaluating which make detail documents or summary
cover perspectives like subsidiary management plans, base lines and other planning documents.
In relation to M&S Importance if based over factors while completing PMP which has been
discussed as follows:
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 Experienced project managers and professional project team leaders: This is based
over providing assistance over project. In relation to M&S, project manager should have
experience helping over making different roles distributed effectively. Also thet make
project managed well(Polonsky and Waller, 2018).
 Methodic approach: Successful project is based upon selecting right methodology for
project management that is sensitive in nature. This is based over process reliable and
effective upon following trends with effective techniques. Through this clear objective is
achieved over task.
 Monitoring and control: Regularity check is based over progress which is effective
helping within PMP. In relation to M&S performance has been indicating reports helping
over tracking success of project.
 Strong closure of project: This is based upon having strong clause of project making
consumption done with assets and resources. Team project requires to agree and forming
client for meting success. In relations to M&S surveys has been done over satisfaction of
employees.
P3. Different research methods and strategies and its value to project management.
Research means systematic process which is based over covering data collection over
documents knowledge with examination and interpretation upon information related with
appropriate methodologies making establishment done over certain academic disciples and
professional field. The research is based over necessities with deep analysis making information
reach with justification and conclusion. In relation to M&S it has been used with two methods
over performing research in qualitative research and quantitative way that is discussed as
follows:
 Qualitative research: The qualitative research is related over data which is collected
within non-numeric form. Under it methods used are open-end questions for generating
information. In this text is analysed and focus is over group study and one on one
interview with various others.
 Quantitative methods: Research is done over methods that helps upon dealing with
number measuring over systematic methods making investigation done upon information
developed over survey and correlation of research
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Data collection: The collection of data has been done upon techniques making information
gathered over analysing purpose with two methods explained as follows:
 Primary data: The data is collected without using references over sources and
considering more accuracy reliable assembling over first time(Pimenidis, Patsavellas and
Tonkin, 2021).
 Secondary data: This is based over information existing within nature and sourced are
collected with the help of magazines, journals, government publications and many more.
It is a time consuming process.
As per the research two method are been used and primary data that is first hand in nature is
required to be used for reaching upon occlusion.
Questionnaire
Quantitative questions
Q1) Does the concept of talent management is understood within business organization?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) What opinion talent management holds significant over business growth and success?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) Does M&S retain there skilful employees through talent management?
a) Yes
b) No
Q4) What main strategies has been used by M&S over talent management in an
organization?
a) Related over complete job description
b) Developing path of success and growth
Q5) What importance is hold by talent management in M&S?
a) Talented workforce attraction.
b) Intensifying performance.
c) Improvement in human resource
Q6) What are practices which has been introduced by M&S based over talent management?
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a) High level of motivation
b) Creating job satisfaction
c) Advancing interpersonal capabilities.
Q7) What are those initiations which are being taken by M&S for instigate talent-
management in workforce?
a) Rotation of jobs
b) Training and development sessions
Qualitative questions
Q8) What strategies are used by M&S for boosting performance and productivity of working
employees?
 Providing appraisal to employees
 Providing pathway for success
Q9) What initiatives should be taken by M&S for attracting skilful workforce in business?
a) Through sessions related over training and development
b) Inspiring individuals
c) Providing high motivation and positive
Q11) Recommendation
P4: Produce a project management plan containing description of different aspects
The project means study and research which takes motive to be presented over defining
results in more effective way. Project management is based over those application of process
making desired outcomes achieved by methods and research performed upon it. Project
Management is based upon defining application and its process leading over making project
completed without any problem. The main phase of project management is based over certain
phases which are initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closure. Its makes project
completed in more effective way. This is based over research which makes needs over
components of project completed the factors has been discussed as follows: Time: It is one of the most important part within project management as through this
maim objective and study of project has been identified over carrying out project is
analysed. The project is always carried out within time frame and process induced within
it makes completion of activity done in effective manner(Martinsuo and Hoverfält, 2018).
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In order to carry out project effectively its is required over dedicating plan upon
completing each activity. Three months time is required for completing project within
effective way. Thus time is important factors over completing project as per given time
limit. Cost: The costs is based upon inuring expenditure for carrying project and helping over
collecting funds as per needs of project. The main focus of funds is over collecting
money in more effective way. With creation of proper budget, the action plans so planned
are carried accordingly. The budget of £800 would be the required amount to carry the
project. Quality: The quality of deliverable goods is based upon working in order to conduct
quality within formatting. Through this standards are set over each activity which creates
bench marks over position of goods. The quality management contains project
management helping in improving quality standards lading upon gaining better outcomes
from a project. Scope: The scope includes those features and functions of project which makes project
attain more relevance within project. The goal and time, resources are important part
making project perspective achieved more effectively. Through this study of project is
completed more effectively making wider scope developed in-terms of chosen topic. The
scope undertakes the list of the objectives, activities, plans and procedures required to
carry the study. With understanding of scope the fair picture of project is drawn and
activities are planned dedicating to scope. To carry out the project the skilled and
proficient staff should be the part (Du, 2019). Communication: These resources are based upon making information circulation done
without any problem. If communication is not good then effectiveness of project
management is lost. It lacks proper communication which makes information related to
project not circulated in more effective way. In this various kinds of inputs and outputs
related to project is required to be checked in more effective way. As per research
communication helps over supervising employees as per public requirement. Risk: The risk is an important factor impacting project negatively which is not identified
and needs should be identified with backup plans as part of project. The project needs to
have part allowing backup plans over risk identified(Mavi and Standing, 2018). Thus risk
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needs over advance backup plan over risk identified. The factor has negative impact
when no identification is given about project running all progress. The risk over all
factors needs to be identified and addressed. Thus risk has both positive and negative
impact over society.
 Resources: The resources are the support to complete the project. The resource plan
needs to be developed in advance and communicated further. The resource schedule is
created and allocated for carrying the project effectively. The resources may be related to
men, machine, and other resources. The efficient use of resources should be done to
maximise the efficiency. In this research, the researcher needs to have proper human
resource team which have the leadership and communication skills.
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart
Work breakdown structure
The work breakdown structure (WBS structure) means those important tool which is used
over carrying out operations effectively. The activities are based over break down within small
task helping in completing task which is used for identifying and bring efficacy in task
accomplishment. It divides logical activity of same nature completing project over measuring
progress in effective way.
Gantt Chart
A Gantt chart relate with timeline of project and the chart is divided from left side project
activities and top chart shows time frame of project(Kobarg, Stumpf-Wollersheim and Welpe,
2019). The length of chart depicts activity as per project activities. Further, time chart makes
goals to be accomplished and depiction is made over evaluating progress of project which helps
upon measuring various activities related to project.
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P6. Business project as mentioned within the PMP and share findings.
THEME 1: Understanding the concept of talent management
Q1) Does the concept of talent management is understood within business
organization?
Frequency
a) Yes 24
b) No 6
Interpretation: This is based over making observation done upon above graph within
which most of respondents is aware about the concept related to talent management. 30
respondents 24 are aware about concept and rest 6 doesn't have knowledge over concept(Hillson
and Simon, 2020).
THEME 2: Significance of talent management in M&S
Q2) What opinion talent management holds significant over business growth
and success?
Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 10
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Interpretation: The above graph shows that talent management has important role to play
within growth of business and its success. In this 30 respondents 20 thinks growth and
sustainability is possible over business and talented workforce there are 10 not agreeing over
it(Helo and Shamsuzzoha, 2020).
THEME 3: Retention of skilled employees within M&S
Q3) Does M&S retain there skilful employees through talent management? Frequency
a)Yes 22
b) No 8
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Interpretation: The graph is based upon M&S which makes efforts identified over making
skilled employees promote opportunities. As per analysis 22 are in favour and 8 are not.
THEME 4: Strategies used by M&S for talent management
Q4) What main strategies has been used by M&S over talent management in
an organization?
Frequency
a) Related over complete job description 18
b) Developing path of success and grow 12
Interpretation: It has been identified that above graph M&S implement strategies over
managing talented workforce. 30 respondent out of which 18 provides comprehensive job and
strategy helps employees over understanding role(Guinan, Parise and Langowitz, 2019).
THEME 5: Essentialism of talent management in M&S
Q5) What importance is hold by talent management in M&S?
Frequency
a) Talented workforce attraction. 12
b) Intensifying performance. 10
c) Improvement in human resource 8
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Interpretation: This makes clear identification over graph that M&S requires to consider
about managing talented workforce. In this 30 respondents are there 12 respondents think that it
helped in retaining talent workforce managing talent 10 and 8 respondent appraising
performance with important factors respectively(Galli, 2018).
THEME 6: Practices introduced by M&S for talent management
Q6) What are practices which has been introduced by M&S based over talent
management?
Frequency
a) High level of motivation 12
b) Creating job satisfaction 18
c) Advancing interpersonal capabilities. 10
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Interpretation: The above graph proves that needs are taken by M&S for managing talent.
Out of 30 only 12 believes that motivation provided to employees in M&S to retain workforce.
The remaining 18 and 10 respondents provides job satisfaction to employees.
THEME 7: Initiation being taken by M&S to manage talented workforce.
Q7) What are those initiations which are being taken by M&S for instigate
talent-management in workforce?
Frequency
a) Rotation of jobs 18
b) Training and development sessions 12
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Interpretation: The graph shows that management of M&S should take action over
managing workforce (Ewart and Ames, 2020). Only 18 is of opinion rotating employees makes
flexibility increases retention of employees and remaining 12 thinks training should be
conducted over enhancing employees resulting in job satisfaction.
Qualitative analysis:
Q8) What strategies are used
by M&S for boosting
performance and productivity
of working employees?
Explanation
Providing appraisal to
employees
This makes employees of business to be retained and
motivation leads over performing tasks with high skills.
It make employees recognize over future options and
future growth.
Providing pathway for
success
This is based over appropriate path providing aligation
over goals and objectives over inhaling growth within
business.
Q9) What initiatives should be
taken by M&S for attracting
skilful workforce in business?
Explanation
Through sessions related over
training and development
Training session helps upon making employee perform
tasks in more effective way leading upon overcoming
complexity of business(Bland and Osterwalder, 2019).
Inspiring individuals
Individualism helps upon rendering motivation over
workforce of individual's identity in specific manner
Providing high motivation and
positive
In this high motivation and optimistic approach has been
developed over enhancing benefits
With the help of high motivation and optimism overall
productivity can be enhanced which results in
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maximising benefits to the organisation in terms of
revenue and goodwill.
P7 Evaluation research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
This discussion shows about evaluation and transformation over workplace acting as most
significant perspective within an organization that makes significant perspective within an
organization required for adopting changes in relation to technology and working flexibility over
roles and responsibilities(Anopchenko and Ostrovskiy, 2021). This is important as it helps
organization to grow over longer time period with productivity.
 M&S is based upon facilitating long tern path of employers providing better employee
with there safety. This makes employees behaviour to be positive way and competencies
over business.

 This makes requirement provided over making training and development done with
transformation over contributing same manner.
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the project to meet stated objectives and own learning and
performance
I have completed that research over the topic and proper knowledge is attained over
experience within research field this makes easy method of research helping me drawing valid
conclusion upon it. Also I an require over managing skills within which I needs to work once I
failed over coordinating team members and respondents cretin difficulties. This is improved by
making engagement done I have completed negative consequences and I am good in bringing all
team members making opportunities developed as research in future.
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CONCLUSION
From the above discussion it can be concluded that research should be conducted by
examine various strategies to be applied in workforce. This makes knowledge to be attained over
various research methods helping in drawing valid conclusion in relation over project
management plan, work breakdown structure, Gantt chart, questionnaire etc. Also collection of
data is done by carrying appropriate research work with correct decision required to be made.
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