Unit 6: Managing a Successful Business Project: Digital Workspace

This report investigates the concept of an innovative digital workspace and its impact on organizational performance, using Unilever as a case study. It covers project planning, including scope, milestones, and a Gantt chart outlining the project's phases. The literature review explores workplace transformation, the importance of digital workspaces, and associated challenges. The research methodology involves a questionnaire to gather findings and results. The report analyzes the impact of digital workspaces on Unilever's performance, offering recommendations and a conclusion. It addresses research questions regarding workplace transformation, the significance of digital workspaces within Unilever, and the challenges and impacts of such transformations. The report also includes a reflection and references.

Unit 6 Managing
A Successful
Business Project

Contents
Research Topic: What does an innovative digital workspace look like?.........................................3
Chapter 1: Introduction....................................................................................................................3
Aims.............................................................................................................................................3
Objectives....................................................................................................................................4
Rationale......................................................................................................................................4
Significance of the Research........................................................................................................4
Research Questions......................................................................................................................4
1 – Project planning.........................................................................................................................5
3 – Business Case Project Report....................................................................................................7
Chapter 1: Literature Review .....................................................................................................7
2.1 Introduction of Literature Review.........................................................................................7
2.2 To study about the concept of workplace transformation......................................................7
2.3 To access the importance of innovative digital workspace in Unilever...............................8
2.4 To determine the complex challenges of Workplace transformation..................................10
2.5 To identify the impacts of innovative digital work space on the performance of Unilever.
....................................................................................................................................................11
2.6 Conclusion of Literature Review .......................................................................................13
Chapter 3: Research Methodology.................................................................................................14
Chapter 3: Finding and Discussion ...............................................................................................15
Research findings and Results...................................................................................................15
QUESTIONNAIRE.......................................................................................................................15
Chapter 4: Conclusion, Recommendation and Reflection.............................................................23
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................23
Reflection...................................................................................................................................23
Recommendation.......................................................................................................................23
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................24
Performance review ......................................................................................................................26
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................31

Research Topic: What does an innovative digital workspace look like?
Chapter 1: Introduction
Workplace transformation is the activity of allowing their staff to work remotely by
accelerating changes in process, place, and techniques which are used to develop the
organizational performance. To bring changes and new processes at the workplace is important
for management to understand needs and fulfil it properly. The environment is changing day by
day where it became important to introduce the different kind of products and services as it
supports to influence the number of people and encourage to make decision. Innovation is the
practical implementation of ideas and thoughts which is used to introduce the new products and
services for the purpose of developing their business performance. Use of new technology and
innovation is needed for individual as well as organization as it bring out different changes and
maintain the higher performance (Al-Omoush, Simón-Moya, and Sendra-García, 2020). The
current report is based on Unilever plc has been taken that is a British multinational consumer
goods, company headquarter in London, United Kingdom. Different types of products and
services are providing by organization that can help to increase the business productivity. This
involves food, condiments, ice cream, coffee, vitamins, minerals and supplements, tea, coffee,
breakfast cereals, cleaning agents, water, and air purifiers, pet food, toothpaste, beauty products,
and personal care. The management of such organization understand the needs of their customers
and provide the products and services accordingly. By offering products at retailing prices
selected organization is managing its business in changing environment that supports to develop
business productivity. The report covers project planning, business case project report, research
methodology, finding and discussion, recommendation and project log book.
MAIN BODY
Research Aims and Objectives
Aims
“To analyse the impacts of innovative digital workspace on organizational performance”. A case
study of Unilever.

Objectives
 To study about the concept of workplace transformation.
 To access the importance of innovative digital workspace in Unilever.
 To determine the complex challenges of Workplace transformation.
 To identify the impacts of innovative digital workspace on the performance of Unilever.
Rationale
The rationale of selecting the topic of research is to know about workplace
transformation as it used to changing the workspace of employees. Workplace transformation is
the changing process of business industry in which different types of services attain by employer
as well employee for the purpose of developing their business. In running a business use of new
technology and innovation becoming very important as it attracts and influence the number of
people by managing all functions well as activities. The current report will help researcher to
improve their personal and professional knowledge. The professional aspects covers
communication, marketing, and innovative skills which could be used to attain future
opportunities. In context to personal, knowledge about how an digital workspace look like. This
could help to manage all functions from the one place and allows to work remotely (Attaran,
Attaran, and Kirkland, 2019).
Significance of the Research
The main reason of conducting research is to enhance the organizational productivity by
managing all changes and digital work spaces. The selected organization for current report is
Unilever that is larger size multinational company, offering different types of products and
services at the different places. It has seen that work place transformation is used by business
organization to work remotely such as by using digital workspace where they could manage all
functions via internet. If employees have their own system then also they could arrange all
activities and information regarding particular task which can help to accomplish the business
goals.
Research Questions
 What do you understand about the concept of workplace transformation?
 What are the importance of innovative digital workspace in Unilever?

 What are the complex challenges of Workplace transformation.
 What are the impacts of innovative digital workspace on the performance of Unilever.
1 – Project planning
Project Scope – The current project is about use of innovative digital workspace that is
used by individual for the purpose of managing and controlling the organizational elements. The
project scope is wider as it develop understanding and knowledge about particular topic and
supports to bring new services effectively (Brandano, Iovino, and Mantegazzi, 2021). To make
the project success researcher will take action such as to introduce different plans, use of new
technology, and work schedule which used to collect the information and complete it within
period.
Milestones: Major events or phases in the project
The major event in project is to identify the role of digital workspaces which used by
individual or business concern to operate their business and accomplish the business goals. This
is important for each organization to know how they employees will be satisfied then should be
provide the kind of services. Within Covid period when it became challenging for organization
to operate their offices the make the use of digital workspace could be opportunity to regulate
their business and accomplish the business goals. The project covers following phases such as:
Initiation: This is first stage which used by business concern to think about changes and
new activities which needs to be done.
Planning – This refers to plans which are formulated by an individual for the purpose of
managing changes and completing work.
This could be explained as strategy which used by individual for the purpose of formulating
plans to complete the project in certain period of time.
Execution – This phase states how digital workspace became effective to operate their
business and attain the higher performance in pandemic world.
Gantt chart:
The Gantt cart is framework that states how a project is going to start and complete by
stating in charts. This can help to develop the business activities and functions by managing all
functions in to schedule. The current research is about innovative digital workplace
transformation which is used by most of the business industries to share business details via
online method. This can help to develop the business performance and productivity effectively.

A Gnatt Chart is prepared by researcher to complete their project by explaining charts such as:
Task Week
1
01.10-
07.10.
2021
Week
2
08.10-
14.10.
2021
Week
3
15.10-
21.10.
2021
Week
4/ 5/ 6
22.10-
11.11.
2021
Week
7
12.11-
18.11.
2021
Week
8
19.11-
25.11.
2021
Week
9
26.11-
02.12.
2021
Week
10
17.12-
23.12.
2021
Week
9
24.12-
30.12.
2021
Week 10
31.12-21
06.01.2022
Project
formulation
and Project
Planning
Literature
Review
Methodolo
gy
Data
Collection
and
Analysis
Discussion
of
the results
Report
writing
Presentatio
n of the
project to
the Board
of Directors
Work breakdown – This could be explained as method used by individual to break
down the longer task in to smaller section as it helps to develop the understanding and
knowledge effectively. Work break down structure using to track the activities to be undertaken
as it can help to regulate the business properly. By using digital mode of business a chosen
organization could reach the targeted customers and supports to accomplish business goals
(Carracedo, Puertas, and Marti, 2021).

3 – Business Case Project Report
Chapter 1: Literature Review
2.1 Introduction of Literature Review
A literature review is the study of particular topic which is used by individual for
attaining the objectives by managing all functions and activities. The current topic of research is
about workplace transformation which is used to give flexibility to their staff to work remotely
and managing the higher performance. The review will help to collect information from different
sources and accomplishing the business goals. This could help to manage the all functions by
bringing new technology and changes at the workplace. The literature review in context to
prepared objectives are explained below:
2.2 To study about the concept of workplace transformation.
As per views of Meske, and Junglas (2021), Workplace transformation is linked to the
productivity increases that are necessary in both the public and private sectors. Business
executives are realising that organisations must focus on upskilling community members and
staff. It is related to increasing employability for the goal of learning and training, which can aid
in the process of meeting the talent needs of a quickly changing economic landscape. In the
context of Unilever, the primary focus is on being more creative and discovering talent that can
assist organisations in achieving their stated goals and objectives. The meaning of workplace
transformation is to bring all elements collectively in order to get business success and attaining
higher productivity. This is used by using innovation and new technology that can help to reach
the targeted customers and attaining productivity (Nagel, 2020) In order to remain more
competitive, it is critical to attract and retain top personnel, which can lead to continued
innovation. Workplace transformation is dependent on the current workplace culture, which can
lead to the construction of flexible workspaces that result in genuine bottom-line results. It has
seen that sometimes people get frustrated while working at regular place and they demand for
change where transformation of workplace became important as it provide new ways and places
to employees and used to work regularly. This has supported to develop the business
organization by managing all functions and activities. For instance, employees who works in
Unilever are not able to focus over their work where they are demanding for change the

workplace and supported to develop the business performance. The digital technique is used by
individual for the purpose of conducting environment and reach the the targeted customers by
offering better quality of products and services (Zimmer, Baiyere, and Salmela, 2020).
2.3 To access the importance of innovative digital workspace in Unilever.
As per view point of Kim, (2020), The digital workplace is determined as modern virtual
workplace where new technology is used by business concern for the purpose of allowing
employees to work from anywhere at anytime. This is important for each organization to analysis
the environment and introduce the different types of new technology which can be used to
develop the business performance. The covid-19 occurred in whole world, where all businesses
have been affected negatively as most of the businesses were operated by using offline stores and
workplace where people visit the stores to make buying decisions. It became important for
organization to introduce the new technology or innovation in their industry for the purpose of
running their business continuously. Thus, digital workspace is being introduced by management
of Unilever in order to offer quality of products and services via online method and supports to
increase the performance. The importance of digital workspace are defined below:
This increases flexibility – In an effective workspace, employees enjoys work flexibility
in both their work schedules and in working environment that supported to develop business
performance. By using digital tools such as mobile internet software employees of Unilever can
connect from anywhere with less focus on strict schedule. This helps to maintain work life
balance in changing environment and increase the organizational sales.
Reduce the operational cost – To operate a business and managing function on daily
basis there is need to conduct the meeting and seminars where people share their thoughts to
expand their business. With the help of digital technology virtual meeting and interactive chat
board can be used by employer and employees which can help to reduce the operational cost.
This also helps to save travel and overhead cost like office space and furniture (Attaran, Attaran,
and Kirkland, 2020).
Improve productivity and efficiency – The aim of business organization is to increase
the productivity and efficiency by offering better quality of products and services. Due to Covid-
19 all businesses have been affected negatively where digital technology such as Google Docs,
CoSo Cloud is used to collect information and provide services of work remotely that can help to
develop the organizational productivity.

Increase revenues – When organization has adopted the new technology and digital
workspace then it became able to reduce operational and travelling cost that ultimately results in
increase revenues. In relation to Unilever, management have adopted the digital workplace
transformation by using online method that supported to increase the revenues and develop the
performance.
Enhanced communication and Innovation – Communication is most important for
organization as it create a connected between employer, employees and customers as it helped to
develop the business performance. Innovation is sued to introduce the something new and
attractive in changing environment as it supports to operate the business effectively. The digital
tools and technique are used by organization to stay connected with employees and customers
which can help to increase the organizational sales. Due to covid-19 it became difficult for
Unilever to connect with customers and employees where use of digital transformation became
important source to reach targeted customers which allows free flowing exchange of ideas in an
organization. For instance a social interanet like LumApps is used to encourage idea sharing
between employees at all level by using communication tools like interactive survey, and social
media.
Strengthened Talent Recruitment and Retention – Digital innovation and workspace
transformation is most important function for business organization as it uses to make easier all
harder task and reduce time period. Due to covid it became challenging for organization to
recruit and retain the employees where use of digital platform can be used to attract and
influence the number of candidates who are skilled and more innovative that works continuously
and increase the performance by filling the vacant position. For Unilever digital workspace is
most important as it conduct the interview round via online method such as skype, website and
others which helps to recruit the skilled people at the workplace and increase business
performance.
Improving customer experience – For each business organization customers are most
important as it give contribution to attain competitive advantages by giving feedback and refer to
others. When organization have decided to provide online products and services then it also use
the online feedback form which can help to know the pitfalls in their services and affected the
business positively. In relation to Unilever, by using online channel and digital technology
management receiving the feedback from their potential customers and made the changes

accordingly which can help to develop the organizational performance (de Lucas Ancillo, del
Val Núñez, and Gavrila, 2021).
2.4 To determine the complex challenges of Workplace transformation.
As per view point of Schmid (2019), Workplace transformation is the effective term
which used by organization to provide a facility of remotely work to their staff and influence to
accept the changes. Due to change in climate and occurrence of covid it became important for
organization to focus over workplace transformation where people could work from their homes
and other places. This could help to operate the business regularly in changing environment and
supports to increase the business performance. It has seen that different types of challenges
faced by Unilever while adopting the digital transformation workplace that are as explained:
Complexity – To adopt changes and new technology became difficult for organization to
operate their business as it might be fail to introduce new services. This could affect the business
negatively as number of obstacles arrives while using new technology. Unilever is larger size
organization that sales range of products at retail prices faced the challenge of workplace
transformation as number of employees were not trained to operate their work from their homes.
This might be affected the business negatively.
Uncertainty – Different business organization are facing different challenges in
workplace transformation where it became challenging to operate their business regularly. The
environment is changing day by day where it became important to introduce the new change and
technology for the purpose of providing services. There is not certainty of environment and
climate which could create the challenge for Unilever to adopt workplace transformation.
Disengaged remote workers – To operate a business and managing all functions there is
need to employee engagement as it supports to understand the needs of organization and provide
right details to complete their work. This is important for each organization to understand what
their employees wants and then should be provide the kind of services that motivate people to
work effectively. It has seen that Unilever is facing the challenge of disengaged remote
employees as there is connectivity issue in adopting digital technique to share or communicate
with others. This has affected the business negatively and created the problems in running their
business (Oeij Dhondt, Rus, and Van Hootegem, 2019).
Fear of change – The employees who are working in organization need to buy their
vision to make digital transformation a success. The environment is changing where it became

important to adopt the changes for the purpose of operating their business. As covid-19 occurred
in whole world where introduce changes became important task as it supports to introduce the
products and services accordingly. Unilever faced the challenge of change fear as all employees
have different skills and ability to work who does not get ready to change their working method
and style due to which productivity and performance of business organization affected badly.
This is important for each organization to overcome the challenge of change by providing
training and development program that affect the business positively.
Lack of alignment – Team is the involvement of two and more than two people who
have been collected to attain common goals and objectives. Due to workplace transformation and
changing environment Unilever faced the problem of lack of alignment between team members
which have been affected the organizational performance negatively. To operate a business
regularly team alignment is needed as it influence the number of people for the purpose of
getting work accordingly. Due to lack of binding between team members in selected organization
created challenge for management to operate their business (Mangaroo-Pillay, and Botha, 2020).
From the above it has explained that Unilever is the larger size organization that faced the
challenge of lack of alignment, fear of change, disengaged remotely workers, uncertainty, and
complexity that affected the organizational productivity and performance in changing
environment. The management needs to solve the all problems by applying different strategies
and planning which can help to attract the number of employees and retain for longer period of
time. The managers of selected organization understand the needs of their customers and provide
a flexibility to work remotely that could help to accomplish the business goals.
2.5 To identify the impacts of innovative digital work space on the performance of Unilever.
According to Lee, and Oh (2021), Innovative digital workplace has become core part of
organization and work experience as it used to create and design the new working method and
improve the business performance. Digital transformation is driving a shift to a new management
environment and culture where employees get ready to work continuously and supports to
accomplish the business goals. Unilever is a large size retailing organization that sells different
types of products and services in changing environment. The managers analyze the environment
and introduce innovative digital workspace transformation which is used to influence the number
of people that increases productivity. The impacts of the digital workplace on business
performance are defined below:

Boost the quality of hires – Innovative digital technology is needed or each organization
as it helps to make work easier and smooth by bringing new method of working. In relation to
Unilever, management is having major role who uses digital technology and workplace
transformation that results boost the quality of hires. This can help to increase the business
performance by increasing number of employees and get work done (Baptista, Stein, Klein,
Watson-Manheim, and Lee, 2020).
Maintaining effective working culture and environment – The innovative digital
transformation is used by management for the purpose of creating working culture and
environment at the workplace. This is important for each organization to understand the
environment and maintain the effective working culture and environment at the workplace which
helps to accomplish business goals. In relation to Unilever, by following the digital technology
transformation employees get ready to work from their homes by maintaining peace and
effective working environment that supports to develop the organizational productivity.
Employee become more empowered and productive – Business applications and
productivity solutions are driving a fundamental transformation in the individual employee's
workday. By using the digital workplace and innovation employee of Unilever became more
empowered and productive as they get ready to accept the challenges at the workplace and
supported to develop the organizational performance. This also helped to increase the
productivity effectively.
Ready to accept the changes – Changes are most important to organization as it
introduces new culture and activities to run their business and increase the performance. In
relation to Unilever, management plays an important role as it conduct the environment analysis
and comes to know how each function and activity needs to perform which supported to develop
the business productivity.
Attaining competitive advantages – By offering products and services via digital
technology could help to increase the organizational sales and productivity that helps to attain
higher profitability. In context to Unilever, management is taking competitive advantages by
offering better quality of products and services. This also helps to develop the organizational
productivity and profitability effectively (Bennett, and McWhorter, 2021).
From the above it can be explained that digital workplace transformation impacting
positively by bringing change and new method of working which can help to develop the