Analyzing CSR Activities and Project Management for LSI Architect

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of project management and corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities within LSI Architects, a small architecture firm based in England. The report explores how LSI Architects implements CSR to achieve sustainable objectives and gain a competitive edge in the industry. It utilizes project management tools such as work breakdown structures and Gantt charts to illustrate project timelines and tasks. The research employs a qualitative method, including questionnaires, to assess the impact of CSR on the company, the relationship between CSR and business objectives, and strategies to mitigate rising costs and maintain profitability. The report also examines the financial aspects, including costs, financing sources, and resources required for the project, along with potential risks and stakeholder involvement. Recommendations are provided to enhance CSR adoption and achieve the company's sustainable goals, focusing on cost-effective strategies and customer engagement.

MANAGING
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
PROJECT

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The present report of project management is based on corporate social responsibilities
(CSR) activities which are implemented in the firm for achieving sustainable goals and
objectives. Furthermore, it is based on the way in which LSI architect adopts CSR activities and
able to achieve sustainable objectives and targets. It can be said from the report of project
management that different tools of project management are very important for the firm to make
effective plan for doing research. Along with this CSR activities are very helpful for LSI
Architect in order to gain competitive advantage and achieve objective for sustain the firm in
Architect industry of England.

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INTRODUCTION
In order to make the project successful, project management tools and techniques are highly
beneficial for entrepreneur. The present report of project management is based on corporate
social responsibilities (CSR) activities which are implemented in the firm for achieving
sustainable goals and objectives. In the present case, LSI Architects which is a small sized
company is chosen which is based in England and operating in Architects industry. Number of
employees of LSI Architects are 59 and annual revenue is worth of 3.5m GBP. Report shows
work breakdown structure as well as Gantt chart which helps to make the project successful.
Further, it describes about qualitative method of research and different techniques and tools with
appropriate recommendations. The company facing problems which is increasing cost and
reducing net profit and strategies to overcome this are to be shown at the current report. At the
end of report, reflective statement related to achieving objectives is provided.
TASK 1
P1. Aim and objectives of LSI Architects
In the present case, respective company has objective for different kinds of CSR activities
which help to achieve sustainable objectives as well as gain competitive advantage in the
industry. Aim and objectives of research and project management of LSI Architects are given as
below:
Topic: Implementing CSR activities within organisations to meet sustainable objectives
Background of the present study:
In the corporate world, CSR activities play a significant role in each and every business
entity. It is an element which is helpful for the firm such as LSI Architects in order to achieve
various kinds of sustainable goals and objectives. Along with this, with the help of CSR
activities, company is able to gain competitive advantage in the overall architect industry. For
each and every organisation, it is necessary to adopt and implement such types of activities in the
business process which lead to create highly positive image in the eyes of corporate world and
customers as well (Schwalbe, 2015). The present case study is based on the way in which LSI
architect adopts CSR activities and able to achieve sustainable objectives and targets. Moreover,
different qualitative as well as quantitative methods are to be used in order to carry out
appropriate research and make conclusion. Furthermore, when the LSI architect adopt and
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implement the CSR activities then more amount of costs will be incur which lead to reduce the
total net profit at the year ending. Due to this, reason the firm LSI architect face the problems
related to cost increasing while constructing the building or houses.
Aim: To implement CSR activities in order to achieve sustainable objectives : A case study on
LSI Architect company.
Objectives:
 To analyse different CSR activities implemented by LSI Architect to gain competitive
advantage
 To analyse relations among CSR activities and objective of the business entity
 To evaluate significance of competitive advantage for LSI Architect
 To provide suggestions for adopting CSR activities to meet the sustainable objectives of
LSI Architect
Research questions:
 What is the impact of CSR activities on LSI Architect?
 Which type of CSR activities are adopted by company to gain competitive advantage?
 How CSR activities and business objectives are related?
Objective: The current project is to be prepared to analyse and assess significance as well as
importance of the CSR activities for the company. From the current research it can be assessed
that CSR activities are how much helpful to meet with the various sustainable objectives as well
as gain competitive advantage.
Scope of project: The project is important for the LSI Architects to achieve the sustainable
objectives and gain competitive advantages in the in industry of construction. Further, scope of
the current project and research is to enhance attraction of the customers towards it with the help
of CSR activities.
Risk of the project: In the project there are various kinds of risks and constraints occurs which
impact and hamper overall project. Further, number of risks which can incur in the project are
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such as failure of project, contingency risks, technical obstacles, employees and workers risks,
increasing level of expenditures and costs etc.
Duration of current project: For complete the overall research and project total time duration
which taken by the LSI Architects is 96 days. In this there are mainly three phases are to be
adopted which are like as planning, implementing as well as closing stage of the whole project.
Stakeholders: Those humans and persons which are in direct or indirect manner attach with the
firm are known as stakeholders. For complete and carry out the current project there are
manager, employees as well as personal manager are important because these are help to
researcher to provide various kinds of resources which are required. In context to this, managers
help to manage and take care overall project in smooth way.
Sources of finance: For carry out the current project capital and finance requires highly because
without this firm not able to conduct the project. Furthermore, different financing sources which
are helpful to provide finance are such as sales of assets, retained profit, government funding,
venture capitalists, bank loan etc.
Resources for the project: For conducting and carry out the present research on CSR activities
of LSI Architects there are various resources are required. Moreover, such kinds of resources are
such as human, financial, technology etc. By using such types of resources the company is able
to conduct the research in effective manner.
Cost:
Name of expenses Amount (in GBP)
Cost for collecting data 450
Salary to the manager and employees 890
Stationary cost 230
Wages to the researcher 750
Cost to the financing sources 380
Other expenses 2700 GBP
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Gain Chart for the overall project:
Ranking to such aspects on the basis of its importance in project
Important
aspects of the
projects
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Cost
Objectives
Stakeholders
Time
Roles and
responsibility
Risk
Scope
P2. Preparation of project management plan
While adopting a project in the business entity, planning plays a significant role and
provide clear guidelines to achieve goals and objectives in a smooth manner. In the current task,
a plan in order to manage and implement project is shown which covers various kinds of criteria
and aspects (Polonsky and Waller, 2014). Different aspects which are analysed with the help of
project management plan are like cost and expenses, scope, duration of project completion,
quality and resources required, process of communication as well as risks associated with the
project, etc. Project management plan with such aspects is prepared as below:
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Project Management Plan of Research project
Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Research project 96 days Thu 3/2/17 Fri 3/3/17
Planning 20 days Thu 3/2/17 Tue 5/30/17
Find out about the topic for
research 8 days Thu 3/2/17 Mon 3/13/17
Preparing statement related
to problem 3 days Wed 5/31/17 Fri 6/2/17 3
Making the time frame as
well as allocating resources 9 days Thu 5/18/17 Tue 5/30/17 4
Implementing plan 56 days Thu 5/4/17 Fri 3/31/17
Selecting literature review 10 days Thu 5/4/17 Wed 5/17/17 5
Select methodologies for
research 15 days Thu 4/13/17 Wed 5/3/17 7
Computation of expenses 5 days Mon 4/3/17 Fri 4/7/17 8
Analysis of data and
interpretation of it 17 days Tue 3/21/17 Wed 4/12/17 9
Evaluation findings 9 days Tue 3/21/17 Fri 3/31/17 9
Closing the project 20 days Fri 3/10/17 Fri 3/3/17
Present results and
conclusions 7 days Fri 3/10/17 Mon 3/20/17 11
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Provide proper
recommendations 5 days Thu 3/2/17 Wed 3/8/17 13
Documentation of analysis
properly 6 days Thu 3/2/17 Thu 3/9/17 14
Report submission 2 days Thu 3/2/17 Fri 3/3/17 15
It can be found that the LSI architect business organisation facing the problem of cost
increasing while implementing the CSR activities at the workplace. Due to this it faces other
problem which is reducing net profit at the end of FY. The company using CSR activity at the
broader level is provided and allow educational institutions in terms of using financial services
and fund. There are different strategies and techniques which helps to the company for
overcoming problem of the cost enhancing. Moreover, the strategies are given as below:
 The LSI architect needs to take and purchase raw materials from one supplier on
consistently basis. When it uses the respective strategy then the potential supplier will
give various profitable offers as well as reduce price. Lower the prices of the raw
materials and goods lead to reduce total cost of build the house and ultimately profit of
the firm will be improve.
 In addition to this, the management should allow the customers more time duration for
paying EMIs which lead to attract them at higher number. Due to this strategy sales and
revenue will be generate and net profit ratio also in the sector of construction.
P3 Preparation of work breakdown structure and Gantt chart for assessing time frames and
different steps of project completion
Apart from above mentioned project plan, there are two different tools that prove to be
the most helpful and appropriate for project manager of LSI Architect. These techniques or tools
are like work breakdown structure and Gantt chart. With the help of breakdown structure,
management is able to know each and every activity of project completion in a proper way and
complete work accordingly (5 Basic Phases of Project Management, 2017). Furthermore, as per
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the Gantt chart, it shows all project activities in horizontal form and provide clear instruction
related to every task. Work breakdown and Gantt chart are prepared as below:
Work Breakdown Structure
Illustration 1: Work breakdown structure
Gantt Chart
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Illustration 2: Gantt chart
TASK 2
P4 Small scale research with help of qualitative method of research
In order to carry out research, there are mainly two techniques used by the investigator,
that is, qualitative and quantitative. In the quantitative method primary research sources are used
for adoing research on particular topic. The method which is based on primary data and any kind
of mathematical tools are not used which is known as a qualitative technique. On the other side,
in the quantitative method secondary data and mathematical as well as statistical tools are
applied. In the present case, in order to know CSR activities of LSI architect, qualitative method
is to be applied where questionnaire is framed and distributed among local community of
England (Kaiser, El Arbi and Ahlemann, 2015). On the basis of simple random sampling
method, sample data of 20 people is selected and distributed among them. Questionnaire is
designed as below:
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Questionnaire
Demographic information
Name _________________
Age ___________________
Gender ________________
Q 1. Do you think that CSR activities play a significant role for LSI Architect?
 Yes
 No
Q 2. Do you think that it is necessary to implement CSR activities at the workplace of LSI
Architect?
 Yes
 No
Q 3. Do you agree that CSR activities help LSI Architect in order to achieve sustainable
objectives in an appropriate manner?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Q 4. Who is the key responsible person in LSI Architect in order to implement CSR activities?
 HR manager
 Administration department
 Corporate governance
 Manager of company
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Q 5. From the following strategies, which one is used by LSI Architect for implementing CSR
activities?
 Providing fund to charitable trusts
 By providing fund in educational sectors
 With the help of voluntary organisation
 Developing surrounding areas
Q 6. Do you agree that in order to gain competitive advantage, CSR activities are the most
useful tool?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Q 7. Please provide recommendations that apart from above mentioned CSR strategies, which
other will be useful for LSI Architect?
 To make separate department for CSR activities
 Foundation trust
 Line department
Theme 1: CSR activities are plays significant role for LSI Architect company.
Que. 1. Do you think that, CSR activities plays significant role for LSI Architect
company ? Respondents
Yes 14
No 6
11

20
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
14
6
Interpretation
From the above mentioned graph it can be interpreted that there are more number of
respondents think that corporate social responsibilities plays very significant as well as important
role in the LSI Architect company. Among 20 people of England 14 people are give positive
response and thinks that CSR activities are the most helpful for the company in order to make the
better position and create effective image in eyes of customers and employees as well. Further,
higher and effective CSR activities lead to attract more number of consumers for consuming
services and products offered by LSI Architect enterprise.
Theme 2: It is necessary to implement CSR activities at the workplace such as LSI
Architect.
Que. 2. Do you think that, it is necessary to implement CSR activities at the
workplace of LSI Architect ? Respondents
Yes 17
No 3
12

20
Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18 17
3
Interpretation
Above mentioned chart shows that 17 respondents thinks that CSR activities are
necessary to implement in the business environment such as LSI Architect. On the other hand
side there are only 3 respondents says that in firm CSR activities are not needed and implement.
The analysis shows that when the LSI Architect implement different kinds of CSR activities at
the workplace then it able to increase its reputation and image in the overall Architect industry of
England where (Tasevska, Damij and Damij, 2014). Further, it clearly indicates that higher the
activities lead to attract high number of community in order to consume its services.
Theme 3: Strongly agree that CSR activities help to LSI Architect in order to achieve
sustainable objectives in appropriate manner.
Que. 3. Do you agree that, CSR activities helps to LSI Architect in order to
achieve sustainable objectives in appropriate manner ? Respondents
Strongly agree 10
Agree 6
Neutral 3
13

Disagree 1
Strongly disagree 0
20
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
6
3
1
0
Interpretation
Aforementioned table as well as column graph indicates that more number of respondents
strongly agree that corporate social responsibilities are the most helpful for LSI Architect in
order to meet with different kinds of sustainable targets and objectives in proper and appropriate
way. There are 10 respondents strongly agree and only 6 respondents agree about the help of
CSR activities for LSI Architect.
Theme 4: Corporate governance is the key responsible in LSI Architect in order to
implement CSR activities.
Que. 4. Who is the key responsible person in LSI Architect in order to implement
CSR activities ? Respondents
HR manager 4
Administration department 2
14

Corporate governance 9
Manager of company 5
20
HR manager
Administration department
Corporate governance
Manager of company
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Interpretation
On the basis of above analysis it can be depicted that, 9 respondents thinks that corporate
governance is the key responsible. Further, according to this corporate governance take cares
about various kinds of CSR activities adopted by the mentioned business organisation as LSI
Architect. Further only 5 people blames to the manager of business entity in order to implement
CSR activities at the workplace and achieve sustainable targets of firm. Apart from this, very less
number of respondents blames to HR manager of company and administration department as
well (de Carvalho, Patah and de Souza Bido, 2015). Hence, it indicates that company needs to
take care for corporate governance which helps to implement CSR activities effectively.
Theme 5: Strategy used by LSI Architect is by providing fund to education sectors for implement
CSR activities.
Que. 5. From the following strategies which strategy is used by LSI Architect Respondents
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for implement CSR activities ?
Providing fund to charitable trusts 6
By providing fund in educational sectors 9
With help of voluntary organisation 2
Develop surrounding areas 3
20
6
9
2
3
Interpretation
According to the respective theme it can be assessed that, the company used different
kinds of CSR activities and strategies at the working environment. Among all the above
mentioned strategies LSI Architect uses key strategy that is to provide fund and financial support
to the education departments. As per the strategy it wants that country become more educated
which lead to affect growth of economy in positive manner. Furthermore, it provides fund to the
charitable trusts as well where it able to help those people who are unable to afford food, cloths
or necessity things of life (Serrador and Turner, 2015). When the firm provide financial support
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Providing fund to charitable
trusts
By providing fund in educa-
tional sectors
With help of voluntary organ-
isation
Develop surrounding areas

to education then LSI Architect influence in positive way and able to achieve sustainable and
agreed objectives of company.
Theme 6: Most of the respondents agree that in order to gain competitive advantage CSR
activities are the most useful tool.
Que. 6. Do you agree that, in order to gain competitive advantage CSR
activities are the most useful tool ? Respondents
Strongly agree 5
Agree 10
Neutral 2
Disagree 2
Strongly disagree 1
20
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
5
10
2 2
1
Interpretation
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It can be analysed from the respective theme which is related to usefulness of CSR
activities for gaining competitive advantage is that, 10 people are agree about this. It clearly
indicates that corporate social responsibilities are the most helpful as well as useful tool and
techniques in order to gain competitive advantage within industry. Further, number of 5
respondents strongly agree about this who thinks that by using CSR activities LSI Architect able
to achieve competitive advantage in Architect industry of England. CSR activities helps to
increase image in corporate world and society as well by which it able to become differentiate
(Popaitoon and Siengthai, 2014). Ultimately it highly able to gain competitive advantage across
the Architect industry of England.
Theme 7: It can be recommended to LSI Architect that, apart from current strategies the
management should to make separate department for conducting CSR activities.
Que. 7. Please provide recommendations that, apart from above mentioned CSR
strategies which other will be useful for LSI Architect ? Respondents
To make separate department for CSR activities 11
Foundation trust 5
Line department 4
20
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11
5
4
Interpretation
As per the surveying through questionnaire it can be analysed that 11 respondents give
recommendation that LSI Architect should make and formulate a separate department which take
care about CSR activities adopted by the firm. There are very less number of people recommend
about line department and foundation trust which are 4 and 5 respondents respectively. Hence, it
can be depicted from the respective theme that LSI Architect needs to make a department
separately for managing CSR activities (Othman, 2011). With this department it able to gain
competitive advantage and achieve sustainable objectives as well.
TASK 3
P5 Analysis of research and data with help of appropriate techniques and tools
In order to do analysis on CSR activities of LSI Architect research as well as
informations and data are necessary. There are various techniques and tools are helpful for the
respective analysis which are described below:
 Research design: The method which is used and adopted by the scholar in order to
analyse on specific and particular topic or problem. There are different types of research
designs are used by the investigator in order to analyse regarding different CSR activities
of LSI Architect. Various research designs are such as descriptive, exploratory as well as
experimental which are used by scholar in order to resolve problems and obstacles. In the
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To make separate department
for CSR activities
Foundation trust
Line department

present case in order to determine and analyse about CSR activities and sustainable
objectives experimental and descriptive research design is used (Davies and Mackenzie,
2014). In experimental research design different project management tools and
techniques are used such as Gantt chart, work breakdown structure etc. Furthermore,
descriptive research design is adopted in order to analyse primary data which are
collected through questionnaire from local community of England.
 Research Philosophy: The respective tool is helps to the scholar in order to do research
on the basis of different assumptions. Here the investigator research on implementing
different CSR activities of LSI Architect for achieve objectives using various kinds of
assumptions (Rakos and et.al., 2015). There are mainly three types of philosophies used
by the researcher are such as realism, interpretvitism as well as positivism. In these
philosophies the scholar makes assumptions on the basis of data collection, values and
beliefs etc.
 Research approach: Another research tool or technique is research design which is very
helpful for the scholar in order to understand the research project and topic in proper and
appropriate manner. In this there are mainly two types of research approaches such as
deductive as well as inductive. As per the deductive approach the research is to be carried
out for analysing current and existing theories. On the other hand side, according to
inductive research approach there are qualitative techniques are used which helps to
analyse current trend (Leach, 2014). In the present case study of LSI Architect inductive
approach is used where questionnaire are framed and distributed to local community of
England. It helps to scholar in order to analyse views and opinions of community
regarding CSR activities and sustainable objectives as well as competitive advantage.
 Collection of data: It is very necessary to derive raw data in order to do research about
corporate social responsibilities of LSI Architect company. In the research area, there are
mainly two types of techniques and tools are used for derive raw data which are like as
primary and secondary. In the primary data collection method different sources are such
as interview, survey, questionnaire etc. Further, in the secondary data collection method
various kinds of sources are used by the researcher which are such as newspaper,
magazines, articles, publications etc (Qualitative Research, 2017). In the present case
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questionnaire are to be designed and distribute to the 20 people of local community of
England for doing research on LSI Architect's CSR activities and its relation with
competitive advantages and sustainable objectives.
 Analysis of data: There are various kinds of tools and techniques are used by the
investigator in order to analyse data. In this different kinds of methods are used such as
thematic, mathematical and statistical tools. In the present case, to do analyse about
community's view of CSR activities of LSI Architect thematic technique is used for
analysing data (Rolstadås and et.al., 2014). Raw data are to be converted into themes and
then with help of number of respondents data are analysed. In addition to this, with the
help of analysed data valid conclusion and recommendations are made by the researcher
of LSI Architect.
 Research drawbacks: While doing research there are various kinds of obstacles arises
which hamper effective and proper analysis of LSI Architect. Different drawbacks are
like as selecting sample data is very typical, unavailability of proper and reliable tools,
required highly talented and qualified employee or researcher etc (Mir and Pinnington,
2014). Along with this it is very long and time consuming process. In this on the basis of
thematic analysis qualitative method is used but if themes are not prepared correctly then
analysis of LSI Architect affects in adverse manner.
P6 Recommendations on the basis of above results
From the above carried out analysis it can be analysed that CSR activities plays key role
in each and every organisation in order to gain competitive advantage as well as meet with
different sustainable targets and objectives. Further, the LSI Architect company not focusing on
mainly two criterias such as allocating budget in proper manner as well as related to skills of
employees. On the basis of such criterias recommendations for LSI Architect are given as below:
 It can be recommended to the LSI Architect that it needs to appoint highly qualified and
skilled manager for finance department which helps to allocate financial resources to
every organisational functions (Turner, 2016).
 Further, it needs to arrange training and development programs at the workplace such as
LSI Architect which helps to make the employees more skilled. Higher the skills and
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talents lead to make the firm more productive in the industry by which it can achieve
targets and objectives.
 Furthermore, the management of LSI Architect should motivate employees in form of
monetary and non-monetary rewards by which it able to increase efficiency of the
individuals.
 The LSI Architect company needs to increase knowledge of employees regarding CSR
activities and appoint those employees who understand about the CSR activities and its
relation with sustainable objectives (Stagnaro and Piotrowski, 2014).
TASK 4
P7 Reflective statement
From the above research and project management I learned many things which helps to
increase my understanding level and make me more qualified. From the analysis I able to
understand about different types of project management tools such as planning of research,
preparation of work breakdown structure as well as Gantt chart. Furthermore, I able to know that
how to make questionnaire for collecting raw data analyse CSR activities of LSI Architect
company. The project is learned to me so many things such as how to conduct research and make
the valid conclusion for an organisation or particular topic.
Along with this I able to understand different types of tools and techniques used by
scholar in order to collect data and research on it. I learned that there are two types of research
approaches are used such as inductive and deductive. Apart from this, I learned that how to
thematic analysis for carry out research on the basis of qualitative method.
CONCLUSION
It can be summarized from above report of project management that different tools of
project management are very important for the firm to make effective plan for doing research.
Along with this CSR activities are very helpful for LSI Architect in order to gain competitive
advantage and achieve objective for sustain the firm in Architect industry of England. On the
basis of thematic analysis it can be concluded that CSR activities are linked with the various
kinds of objectives of the firm. Along with this it helps to the firm to make effective and create
better image in eyes of society and corporate world as well.
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