Managing Equality and Diversity Hurdles: Debenhams Case Study Report

This report analyzes the challenges of equality and diversity in the workplace, using Debenhams as a case study. It begins by outlining aims and objectives, followed by a detailed project management plan (PMP) encompassing scope, risk, time, quality, cost, communication, and resources. The report includes a Gantt chart and work breakdown structure (WBS) to visualize project timelines and task organization. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are employed, utilizing questionnaires to gather data. The findings are presented, analyzing responses to understand the hurdles and objections that arise from equality and diversity, and proposing steps to overcome them. The report aims to examine the impact of diversity and equality on employee performance and overall business outcomes, offering recommendations for fostering a more inclusive and productive work environment at Debenhams.

Managing a Successful Business
Project

TITLE:
“What hurdles and objection may originated out of equality and diversity in working
premises and what steps can be taken to overcome them”. A case study on Debenhams.
INTRODUCTION
Today's business are operating diversely in intense competitive world. Distinguished
people with varied background are working under one roof in order to gain the common goal
designed by firm. Whereas, equality is the core element which need to be adopted in the working
premises so as to create faith and trust in the eyes of the customers. Diversity and equality aid
administration to grow the business smoothly in global market place (Al-Jenaibi, 2017). This
report is based on Debenhams which is a international retailer operating under department store
format United Kingdom. The firm is situated in London, UK whose CEO of the company is
Stefaan Vansteenkiste. This successful enterprise was founded in the eighteen century as a
single store in London. But now it has grown to 178 places across Denmark, UK and Ireland.
This includes aims and objectives. Along with this PMP covering scope, size, time, quality, cost,
communication and resources. Gantt Chart and Work Break Down structure is prepared to that
set objectives can be attained. For better results quantitative and qualitative approach is studied
in detail. Proper recommendation for data analysis is given to conclude best outcomes.
P1) Set aims and objectives
Organization frame aims and objectives so that strategies can be framed accordingly to
achieve it. They are designed by scanning the external environment effectively so as to attain
best outcomes. It also helps firm to motivate their staff members to work day and night to
achieve the common goal in the set time frame (Bardach and Patashnik, 2019).
Aims:
“What hurdles and objection may originated out of equality and diversity in working
premises and what steps can be taken to overcome them”. A case study on Debenhams.
Objectives:
 To study the phenomena of equality and diversity at workplace.
 To examine the hurdles and objection which may occurred out of equality and diversity
in working premises.
 To identify the ways that could be interpreted to overcome the issues arise out of

diversity and equality.
 To examine the outcome of equality and diversity on the overall performance and
fruitfulness level of employees working in Debenhams.
Questions:
 What do you understand by phenomena of diversity and equality?
 What are the ways that could be interpreted to overcome the issues arise out of diversity
and equality?
 How equality and diversity outcome overall performance and fruitfulness level of
employees working in Debenhams?
 Which are the hurdles and objection which may occurred out of equality and diversity in
the workplace?
P2) Design Project Management Plan (PMP) by including scope, risk, time, quality, cost,
communication and resources.
Project Management Plan is a document which helps to explain every phase of a project.
This is used by the firm to complete the task smoothly without interference. The points are
mentioned beneath:
Scope: The scope of the research is wider in nature. By framing strong strategies for the
issues and challenges emerged from diversity and equality business can grow tremendously
(Bryson, 2018). By providing diversity training to the skilled and capable employees productive
results can be gained easily. Management monitor all the activities at the floor so that no one is
disrespected in any way and smooth working environment is created.
Risk: While conducting the research several challenges where faced research while
gathering information. Some of the risk factor are, time management, conflict among team
mates, lack of funds etc.
Cost: This is the main element in an enterprise in order to run research work smoothly.
This showcase value of amount that is needed in production and delivery of a commodity. By
analysing all the factor top management design budget for the company. Lack of funds can be
overcome either by collecting cash amount from friends, relatives, banks etc. So the estimated
budget for research work is as follows:
Activity Amount ($)

Travel 500
Research material 800
Research tools 700
Total 2000
Time: This plays a vital role in achieving the desire outcome. Here, researcher requires
22 days in successfully complete the research work (Carter, 2018). All the activities are planned
accordingly so that they get full-filled in the set time duration.
Communication: Two-way free flow of communication is used by the research as easily
information is transferred to other party. By this best outcome can be gained as compare to
competitors. Lack of communication reduces productivity at a large scale.
Resources: All the resources are used effectively and efficiently to that researcher can
attain best outcomes. By motivating human resource company’s goodwill can be raised and
customers needs and preferences can be meet on time.
P3) Prepare Gantt Chart and Work Break Down Structure (WBS)
Gantt Chart: In 1910- 1915 this bar chart came into existence. The inventor of Gantt
Chart was Henry Gantt, an American engineer and social scientist. It shows dependency
relationship between existing schedule and activities. This is used by the organization as it
describes project schedule. It directly aids in measuring resources required, assessing how long a
project should take, design the path to complete the task. Gantt Chart plays a critical part as it
easy to create, use and keep track (Corey, 2017). There are numerous advantages of Gantt Chart
which are stated as:
1. Schedule the task easily
2. Smartly demonstrating project plan
3. Visual representation of time frames

Task One
Task Eight
Task Fifteen
7/25/16
7/30/16
8/4/16
8/9/16
8/14/16
8/19/16
8/24/16
8/29/16
9/3/16

Work Break Down Structure: In this case, complex task is simplified into smaller
components in order to complete the project in set time period. The work is allotted to workers
as per their ability and knowledge to gain productive results. Here, the chances of error reduce to
a large extent which is a positive mark of the firm. Moreover, it organizes team work into
manageable sections which assist to gain competitive advantages against rivalry (Crane and
Spence,2019). Benefits of WBS (Work Break Down Structure) are as follows:
1. Easy collection of resources based on priority of tasks.
2. Uplift efficiency of the project
3. Assist to determine time, cost, human assets etc. resources required.
4. Convenient to manage and organize the project

P4) Focus on qualitative and quantitative approaches so as to attain projects set aims and
objectives.
Qualitative approaches: This approach provide more authentic results in their findings
as it focus more on quality. It is simple as there is less use of numerical facts and figures in their
data interpretation. Qualitative approaches make easy for reader to grab the information easily as
there no graph, pie chart, diagram etc. Information through this helps business associates to pull
the readers over the years as it focusses more on quality presentation (Edmondson and Harvey,
2018). This helps company to gain set goals and objectives respectively.
Quantitative approaches: It is bit complex in nature as compare to qualitative approach.
As it consist of more of mathematical numbers and data in its findings. Quantitative approach
provides information with graphical presentation which make it more attractive and client easily
understand the information. It helps to create loyal customers for the research work.
In this case researcher use both qualitative and quantitative approaches in their findings
to get accurate results. For qualitative approach open ended questionnaire is used while for
quantitative approach close ended questions are framed. Qualitative approach provide
Debenhams in their findings as it more focus on quality work. And there is less use of numerical
data which become easy for reader to garb the information easily. For the questionnaire below 40
respondents are taken to assemble information for the questions designed (Wright and Coyne,
2018)
Primary data collection method: Researcher uses primary data collection method for

their findings as they are fresh and are not used by any other research in their findings. The data
collected from this method aid research to provide accurate and correct information to their
readers. It assist to build loyal client for the report which is a positive mark for the investigator.
Secondary data collection method: It is also used by investigator in their problem
solving work while gathering data from respondents (Ferenczi, 2018). It is less authentic in
nature as compare to primary data collection method as secondary method is earlier used by
other respondents in their research work. Here, wrong information can be delivered to the reader
as they are not freshly collected from communicator.
Here, investigator adopts primary data collection method for their findings. As they are
fresh and are not used by nay other research the results obtained will be correct and authentic in
nature.
Sampling: It is a statistical analysis that predetermine number of observation taken from
large population. It is used by research as it aid to find representative samples in order to
eliminate bias. There are two types of sampling probability and non-p probability sampling.
Here, research adopts probability sampling in their research work because it gives fair
chance to create a sample which is truly representative of the population.
Under primary data collection method this questionnaire is used as it display reliable
data gathered from respondents. As it is fresh and and is not used by any other research in their
findings the outcomes will be authentic in nature. It helps the researcher to bind readers for
longer time period with their research work which is a positive sign for investigator.
Questionnaire:
Quantitative questions:
Q1) Are you aware about the phenomena of diversity and equality at Debenhams work place?
a) Aware
b) Un-aware
Q2) What are the hurdles and objection which may occur out of equality and diversity in
working premises?
a) Acceptance and respect for others
b) Language issues
c) Lack of employee involvement
Q3) What are the method by which hurdles and objection affiliated to diversity and equality

can be resolved at Debenhams?
a) Provide diversity training
b) Examine firm's workforce culture
c) Create respect for all culture
Q4) What are the benefits of cultural diversity in Debenhams working premises?
a) More growth in personal and professional level.
b) Diverse team more productive
c) Drive more innovation
Q5) What happens if Debenhams ignore issues and challenges associated with diversity and
equality at work place?
a) market value decreases
b) Skilled employees turn out ratio decreases
Q6) Do you think Debenhams diversity and equality issues and challenges impact employee’s
overall performance?
a) Yes
b) No
Q7) How diversity and equality affect the smooth functioning of Debenhams in global market?
a) In positive manner
b) In negative way
Q8) Do you think diversity is important in Debenhams?
a) Yes
b) No
Qualitative questions
Q9) What are the ways by which staff member’s performance at Debenhams can be uplifted?
Q10) How equality and diversity impact overall performance and productivity level of
employees working in Debenhams?
Q11) Suggest recommendation for hurdles and objection emerged out from equality and
diversity in working premises as well as how Debenhams can overcome them?

P5) Study data gathered by using best tools and techniques.

Q1) Are you aware about the phenomena of diversity and equality at
Debenhams work place?
FREQUENCY
a) Aware 30
b) Un-aware 10
Q2) What are the hurdles and objection which may occur out of equality
and diversity in working premises?
FREQUENCY
a) Acceptance and respect for others 15
b) Language issues 10
c) Lack of employee involvement 15
Q3) What are the method by which hurdles and objection affiliated to
diversity and equality can be resolved at Debenhams?
FREQUENCY
a) Provide diversity training 15
b) Examine firm's workforce culture 20
c) Create respect for all culture 5
Q4) What are the benefits of cultural diversity in Debenhams working
premises?
FREQUENCY
a) More growth in personal and professional level. 17
b) Diverse team more productive 13
c) Drive more innovation 10
Q5) What happens if Debenhams ignore issues and challenges associated
with diversity and equality at work place?
FREQUENCY
a) Market value decreases 20
b) Skilled employees turn out ratio decreases 20
Q6) Do you think Debenhams diversity and equality issues and challenges
impact employees overall performance?
FREQUENCY
a) Yes 16