Project Management Plan: Marks and Spencer Globalisation Report

This report focuses on the project management aspects of Marks and Spencer's (M&S) globalisation strategy. It begins with an introduction defining project management and globalisation, followed by an overview of the project's aims and objectives, which is to determine the positive economic impact of globalisation on M&S's production, IT, and marketing functions. The report details the project management plan, including costs, scope, timeframes, communication strategies, and risk management. A work breakdown structure and Gantt chart are provided to illustrate project stages and timelines. The report also includes a small-scale research component, comparing qualitative and quantitative methods. Data collection methods, including questionnaires, are described, and the collected data is presented and interpreted through charts and analysis. The report concludes with recommendations based on the findings and a final conclusion summarizing the key points and outcomes of the project.

Managing A Successful Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
P1 Project Aims and Objectives ............................................................................................3
P2 Project management plan..................................................................................................4
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide time frames and stages.............5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative methods...........................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5 Research and data using appropriate tools and techniques...............................................9
P6 Recommendations ..........................................................................................................19
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................19
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................21

INTRODUCTION
Managing of projects can be defined as a procedure of initiating, executing or closing the
work so that specific goals can be achieved in time-frame. Whereas, Globalisation can be termed
as a process by which business organisation make its international identification in global
market. In addition, it also develop economic interdependence of nation in global world through
enhancing quality and quantity in products and services. This project is based on Marks and
Spencer which is a British Multinational retailer which offers cloths, luxury and food products
across the world. This report will be describe about project management plan and its several
aspects like quality, Scope, cost, time etc. along with a small scale research with difference
between qualitative and quantitative research methods will also covered in this report.
TASK 1
P1 Project Aims and Objectives
Globalisation is a continuous process which connects business activities of different
nations in which peoples of different backgrounds work together so as to increasing their
profitability and wealth. Through globalising the business a regional firm not only increase its
economic wealth whereas, its quality is also improved which directly leads in sustainability and
growth. In addition, globalisation is a process in which two or more nations performs their
business activities together which automatically supports the nation in form of economic
development. As Marks and Spencer wants to globalise their business therefore, it is very
essential to them to analyse import duties, tax rates, per capital income or economic stability of a
particular nation so that any difficulty not be faced by them during expansion (Trimi, 2012).
Background of the project - For globalising the business it is very important for
Managers of Marks and Spencer to identify the needs and preferences of customers in particular
nation so that products and services provided to them accordingly. For this, they have to conduct
market research which can be possible through marketing department of firm. In order to making
expansion successfully, management of M&S have to make some adjustment within their
functions. Such as for improving quality of their offerings they have to implement latest
technologies which will be possible through taking support of finance department and IT
department because finance department provides adequate financial support and IT department
guides which machine is best for improving quality of products.

Aim – “To Determine positive economic impact of globalisation on production, IT and
Marketing functions” - A Case Study on Marks and Spencer
Objectives
 To acquire knowledge regarding the concept of Globalisation
 To evaluate positive economic impact of globalisation on production, IT and marketing
functions of Marks and Spencer firm.
 To understand the interrelation between globalisation and functions of Marks and
Spencer
P2 Project management plan
Project management plan can be defined as a formal document which defines how the
project will be started monitored or executed. Some aspects of this plan are given as below:
Project purpose – Marks and Spencer which is a multinational retailer and operates its
business at global level wants to conduct a research due to which they have hired a researcher so
as to identify positive economic impact of internationalisation on their different functions such as
production IT and marketing (Marsella, 2012).
Project Cost- It also referred to the budget of project which defines how much cost is
invest in the project. As the M&S wants to identify positive economic impact of globalisation on
their several functions then they have also made an estimated budget which is given as below:
No DETAILS Amount (£)
1 Implementation of Advanced Machinery 8000
2 Promotional Tools 5000
3 Purchase of latest tools and techniques 12000
4 Training of employees 5000
Total 30000
Apart from that, researcher have demanded the amount of £4500 so as to completing the
research in given time-frame.
Project Scope- As the M&S is a large firm and performs its operations at global level
then the scope of this project is very high because after execution of this project company will
easily able in serving the needs and demands of customers which leads the firm towards
competitive edge in marketplace. Whereas, scope of this project is very wide for researcher

because through conducting this kind of research they will acquire knowledge about the concept
of globalisation which is beneficial for them in conducting further investigations.
Project Time- This is the main component in each project because without it project can't
be accomplish in given time-frame. Management of M&S have estimated the time period of 4
months for completing this project. Apart from that, researcher have demanded 7 weeks of time
period for perfectly executing this investigation.
Project Communication – M&S have to make consideration on this aspect because if it
is not considered by the project managers then teammates will not able in performing their duties
effectively which leads the project towards failure. Therefore, it is important to make transparent
communication structure within the workplace so that firm can easily identify the impact of
globalisation on its operations. Whereas, researcher should also use effective communication
channels such as email, telephones, messages etc. so as to taking response from respondents.
Project Quality - It is an important aspect because without improving quality of
production department quality products will not produced by M&S due to which company will
not able in gaining competitive edge. Whereas, researcher should also use qualitative kind of
research methods in the investigation so that valid conclusion will be constructed at the end of
project.
Project risk – This aspect is uncertain in nature which can occur in any activity during
the project . Therefore, management of M&S should prepare themselves before starting the
project like globalisation because risks like technological, financial or economical can affect the
activities of project in negative manner. Whereas, researcher can face several risks in
investigation like irresponsiveness of respondents, lack of funds or time which can be overcome
through effective measures.
Project Resources – In a project management plan, this is also an important aspect
which includes financial, technological, human that should be allocate priorly by the
management of M&S so that any difficulty wouldn't be face during the project. Apart from that,
researcher should utilise funds to collect relevant data by using different collection methods
according to their available resources (Isaak, 2017).
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide time frames and stages
Work Break-down structure- This structure is generally used for managing the projects
effectively. As the M&S wants to globalise their business functions through improving quality of

their projects then company have to use this structure so that they can easily complete their
desired projects in given time-frame. For using this structure, they should divide each activity of
project in small manageable sections so that, company can easily achieve their preset objectives
within given time-frame.
Gantt chart - This is a horizontal bar chart which was introduced by Henry L. Gantt in
the year of 1917. This is mainly used by companies for making coordination and cooperation
among the staff members so that tasks can be completed effectively. In this chart, each activities
of project are represented along with time duration which is beneficial for M&S in achieving its
preset targets of project within given time-frame (Eckerson, 2010).

Activities W
ee
k 1
Week
2
Week
3
Week
4
Week
5
Wee
k 6
Week
7
Week
8
Week
9
We
ek
10
We
ek
11
We
ek
12
Aims and
objectives
Developme
nt of
project
managemen
t plan
WBS and
Gantt chart
Research
methodolog
ies
Data
collection
Data
analysis
Data
interpretati
on
Finding and
conclusion
Recommen
dations

Execute the
plan
Submission
TASK 2
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative methods
Research methodology can be defined as a technique which is used for analysing the
information and collected data of the specific topic. Whereas, research methods are effective
tools that is used for conducting investigation effectively. There are mainly two kind of research
methods such as quantitative and qualitative whose comparison is given as below:
Basis Qualitative Quantitative
Definition It can be defined as the
market research method that
mainly focuses on gathering
data through open-ended
and conversational
communication.
It can be defined as the research
method of systematic
investigation of particular topic
of research by collecting non-
statistical data.
Conceptual This method mainly
concerned human behaviour
so that valid results can be
achieved.
While, this is mainly concerned
about collecting facts in
statistical nature.
Methodological In this method, Data is
gathered through
observation and interviews.
Whereas, data is collected
through properly measurements
of facts and things.

Data collection can be defined as the process of gathering and measuring information
which is collected for specific topic of research. In the present research Primary data is collected
through preparing questionnaire under which 10 questions are framed related with topic of
research. It will be asked from 10 respondents which includes employees and other stakeholders
of M&S (Ardichvili, 2012).
No Question / Statement / Aspect
1 Are you working with M&S from three or more years ?
2 In which kind of operations of M&S your job role involved ?
3 Have you identified any profitable changes within M&S after shifting its operations to
USA, China and Africa ?
4 Have you faced any discrimination by senior management of M&S at workplace on
the basis of racism and culture ?
5 Does the policies of M&S are accommodating the employees in terms of views and
cultural orientation ?
6 Is any facility provided by M&S to their employees for their religious and cultural
concerns ?
7 Does the Budget structure of M&S supporting its requirement for global operations ?
8 Do you think the profit of M&S is improving after the improvement in efficiencies of
different operations around the world ?
9 Is HR department of M&S following the employment laws during the recruitment and
selection process ?
10 How can you recommend M&S and its offerings to your family and friends ?
TASK 3
P5 Research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Q1 Are you working with M&S from three or more years ? Frequency
a) Yes 10

b) No 0
a) Yes b) No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Frequency
10
0
Interpretation – From the above chart it has been identified that all taken respondents are
working with M&S from three or more years.
Q2 In which kind of operations of M&S your job role involved ? Frequency
HR department 9
Production department 1

HR department Production department
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Frequency
9
1
Interpretation – It has been identified from the above chart that all taken respondents are
engaged in operations of M&S such as 9 out of 10 gave their opinion on HR department
whereas, remaining 1 said that they are performing their duties in production department.
Q3 Have you identified any profitable changes within M&S after shifting
its operations to USA, China and Africa ?
Frequency
Yes 7
No 3

Yes No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Frequency
7
3
Interpretation – It has been observed from the above visible chart that several profitable
outcomes are gained by M&S such as improving quality, high customer base etc. Out of 10, 7
gave their answer in favour whereas, remaining 3 doesn't provide favourable answers for
question.
Q4 Have you faced any discrimination by senior management of M&S at
workplace on the basis of racism and culture ?
Frequency
Yes 8
NO 2