HND Business Unit 6 Project: Managing Successful Business Project

This project delves into the complexities of managing a successful business project, focusing on the critical issue of the gender pay gap within the context of equality and diversity. The research, based on a case study of Aldi, examines the impact of pay disparities on employee performance, organizational challenges, and overall business outcomes. The project includes a detailed project management plan, incorporating elements such as cost, scope, time, quality, communication, and risk management, along with a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart for effective project execution. The research methodology encompasses qualitative research, utilizing interpretivism and a deductive approach for data collection and analysis. The data analysis and interpretation section presents findings related to awareness of the gender pay gap, its impact on the workplace, and the underlying causes. The project culminates in conclusions and recommendations aimed at addressing the gender pay gap and fostering a more equitable and diverse work environment. A reflection on the project experience is also included.

MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
LO 1......................................................................................................................................................3
Research background.......................................................................................................................3
Rationale..........................................................................................................................................3
Aims.................................................................................................................................................3
Objectives........................................................................................................................................3
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN....................................................................................................4
WORK BREAK DOWN STRUCTURE..............................................................................................5
GANTT CHART..................................................................................................................................6
LO 2......................................................................................................................................................8
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.........................................................................................................8
Research type...................................................................................................................................8
Research philosophies......................................................................................................................8
Research approaches........................................................................................................................8
Data collection.................................................................................................................................8
Data analysis....................................................................................................................................9
Sampling..........................................................................................................................................9
Ethical considerations......................................................................................................................9
LO 3......................................................................................................................................................9
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION....................................................................................9
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION..................................................................................18
LO 4....................................................................................................................................................20
REFLECTION....................................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................22

INTRODUCTION
LO 1
TOPIC-
“To investigate the affects of gender pay gap in context of Equality and Diversity at
workplace.
Research background
Equality and diversity are the key elements of long term success of a company or business
(De Crescenzo, Ribeiro-Soriano and Covin, 2019). But in recent time, it is quite difficult for an
organization to retain their workers for long which direct impact on productivity and progress of
businesses. Gender pay gap in simple term refer to difference in earnings between men and women.
It is one of the biggest factors that affects negatively and creative negative environment around
work areas where number of applicants are performing their roles.
The overall research is based on Aldi which falls under category of the best retailer in UK.
Organization also face same problem in company that impact on its operations management. This
study will also explain why researcher took this research topic and what will be the benefit from it.
Furthermore, it will also describe project management plan, research methodologies, data analysis
& interpretation as well as valid conclusion with suitable recommendation based on further
examining.
Rationale
The reason behind selecting above topic is to make in depth analysis of forces which utilized
to promote specific problem and that is gender pay gap at work area. It considered as one of the
biggest problem which has been faced by Aldi in United Kingdom. By conducting this research
investigator will effectively find out most suitable and appropriate solution in context of issue.
Aims
“The aim of this study is to identify gender pay gap impact in regard to equality and
diversity at work place. A case study on ALDI.
Objectives
 To articulate comprehending relating to concept of Equality and diversity at work area.
 To determine the impact of gender pay gap over abilities and performance of staff as well as

Aldi.
 To identify different challenges faced by firm while eliminating gender pay gap.
 To suggest possible recommendations and effective solutions to reduce issue at workplace
within Aldi.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PLAN
Project management plan is a formal, approved important document that defines how project
will be executed, controlled and monitored (Kerzner, 2019). It is utilized to define method used by
project team to deliver intended project administration scope of work. The purpose of this document
is to identify specific project results, how a successful outcome will be gained, who will be included
in work and how it will be communicated as well as measured. It covers following primary key
elements that are:
Cost-
It is one of the most important components of project management plan. In order to
accomplish given work project manager must prepare well-defined budget plan or structure that
help to actively manage each and everything accordingly. The current project will require £3,640 to
get everything done on timely manner with better results.
Scope-
It is one of the main key elements of project management plan. Scope of project is work
which is needed to deliver a assignment. It defines boundaries of study and is foundational to
project. The scope of this project is to identify gender pay gap impact on Aldi and its overall
business performance. It should be clearly delineates what is in this element. Scope statement of
project permit manager to schedule activities related to work in order to make them more effective
and productive and can be defined by specific operation in time.
Time-
Along with above components, it is also very essential thing in project management plan
which makes project manager able to deliver work on time without taking too much time. Before
starting any activity individual will need to set appropriate deadlines to accomplish work with
desired outcomes. In context of current project it requires 365 days to do.
Quality-
When work produces a good defined deliverable there are always quality standards which
leads to success. Project manager must assure quality of their work, develop strategy to meet

standards or quality assurance as well as control. Each of these things must be considered within
quality component of project management plan.
Communication-
Without effective communication project manager cannot be able to complete their tasks in
systematic manner. In order to communicate with others who are included in project individual can
use varied sources like telephone, woki toki, and they can send email also which is one of the most
cost effective method.
Risk-
Project manager by creating risk register can identify barriers occur between success of
work. With this element it is easy to handle and manage any risk by applying appropriate methods.
Financial, operations and other types of risks can be mention in this register which makes it easy for
accountable person to take better preventions. Lack of resources is one of the main risk faces by
project manager in some cases that affect overall activities.
Resources-
It refers to people, place, equipment, money or anything else that project handler need in
order to do all tasks and activities that they planned for. Project manager had to build strong team
by hiring new applicants who are able to complete their roles.
WORK BREAK DOWN STRUCTURE

GANTT CHART
Task
Mode Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Auto
Scheduled Selection of specific topic 1 day Wed 6/10/20 Wed 6/10/20
Auto
Scheduled
Formulation aim and
objectives for research study 2 days Thu 6/11/20 Fri 6/12/20 1
Auto
Scheduled developing a brief plan 2 days Mon 6/15/20 Tue 6/16/20 2
Auto
Scheduled Research methods selection 2 days Wed 6/17/20 Thu 6/18/20 3
Auto
Scheduled Preparing questionnaire 2 days Fri 6/19/20 Mon 6/22/20 4
Auto
Scheduled
Sending questionnaire for
collection of data 2 days Tue 6/23/20 Wed 6/24/20 5
Auto
Scheduled
Recording specific data set
in a structured format 5 days Thu 6/25/20 Wed 7/1/20 5,6
Auto
Scheduled
Interpreting the data
collected 4 days Thu 6/25/20 Tue 6/30/20 6
Auto
Scheduled
Concluding findings and
recommending solutions 2 days Thu 7/2/20 Fri 7/3/20 7,8
Auto Formatting 3 days Mon 7/6/20 Wed 7/8/20 8,9

Scheduled
Auto
Scheduled Taking feedback 2 days Mon 7/6/20 Tue 7/7/20 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Auto
Scheduled
Doing changes as per the
feedback provided 3 days Wed 7/8/20 Fri 7/10/20 11
Auto
Scheduled Final submission 2 days Mon 7/13/20 Tue 7/14/20 11,12

LO 2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research type
There are two different forms to research available that can be used by researcher according
to activities and tasks which they need to accomplish. Qualitative and quantitative are the two types
of research, both are quite useful and beneficial. In regard to current study, researcher can chose
qualitative research type because it makes data analysis and other things easy for them which
related to above topic (Tracy, 2019). With the form investigator find out the impact of gender pay
gap covers under equality & diversity.
Research philosophies
Just like the other methods, research philosophies are use play vital role as it help to
investigate gender pay gap affect over Aldi business. Interpretivism and positivism are two different
forms, one of which researcher can chose in context of finding information about above topic. Both
are effective and useful approaches, but in respect of current research investigator utilize
interpretivism instead of another one (Zhang, 2018). They use this method because it helps to
effectively determine impact of gender pay gap on firm.
Research approaches
It is a procedure or essential plan that consists of certain of wide assumptions to detailed
approaches of data analysis, interpretation and data collection. Research approaches is divided into
two different categories deductive and inductive method, both are usually utilized in this form. Here
in respect of present investigation researcher can use deductive research approach as it help to
interpretate gathered data in effective manner and cater appropriate findings which makes
researcher able to draw conclusion (Nainaar and Masson, 2018). It can be said that for qualitative
research deductive method is suitable.
Data collection
It is the procedure of collecting qualitative information based on topic that is to identify
gender pay gap impact upon Aldi company. With this process researcher can gather require data in
systematic manner and use it to draw right conclusion with overall findings or outcomes of
research. Primary and secondary data collection are two different types of data gathering methods
that can be used by researcher in order to collect appropriate information related to above subject
(Conroy and et.al., 2019). Investigator in context of this study use both approaches through which

the can gather data by preparing questionnaire under primary method and journals, magazines and
book under secondary.
Data analysis
It is simple procedure of examining, cleansing, modelling and transforming data with aim of
discovering useful and beneficial information, supporting decision-making and informing
conclusions. With this approach researcher after collecting data organized info so that they can
derive helpful findings from it. To analyse data effectively and appropriately researcher can use
thematic data analysis approach in which different data is presented with clear tables and graphs.
Its is quite beneficial for current study as it help cater a wide amount of flexibility.
Sampling
In research terms sample is group of individual that are taken from wider population for
measurement of gather data. It is a process utilized in data analysis in which predetermined number
of observations are taken from selected sample. Probabilistic and non-probabilistic are two ways of
sampling by which data can be gathered from specific group of people. Researcher to collect
information above chosen topic can use simple random sampling and select 40 workers of Aldi
for completing investigation.
Ethical considerations
Confidentiality is the main point which need more attention from researcher side to keep
overall data safe for long. Researcher must maintain high degree of objectivity in analyses and
discussions during research. Investigator do not force anyone to gather data as it affects negatively.
Researcher provide fair change to respondents to take participate in each activity which in return
increase their motivation level, and they can provide all information about inside of Aldi.
LO 3
DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
Theme 1- “Familiar with concept of gender pay gap”
Yes 38
No 2

Interpretation – After going through gathered data with aid of primary research source, it
can be interpretate that out of 40 respondents 38 individuals are in favour of above statement. They
have good sort of understanding and knowledge regarding gender pay gap in company. Only two
participants are not having any knowledge and idea about same things. It shows that majority of
respondents have better idea of specific term which falls under category of equality and diversity.
Theme 2- “Affect which gender pay gap put in company”
Impact workplace environment 20
Reduce workers morale 10
Increase modifications of conflict 10

Interpretation- Gender pay gap affects in various ways that is not beneficial for company
growth and success. It can be interpretate that out of 40 people 20 respondents are agrees on above
statement, they analyse that gender pay gap impact negatively on environment of workplace and
make it worst for everyone. 10 respondents think that above stated issue reduce morale of existing
workers on the other hand, 10 individuals assume that it increase major chances of conflict.
Theme 3- “Major reason behind gender pay gap problem in Aldi”
Salary differences between men and women 12
Cultural differences 8
Aspect that female workers are less
competent as male
10
All of the above 10

Interpretation- After collecting data from varied respondents it can be interpretate that out
of 40, 12 individuals think that main reason behind gender pay gap is salary differences that affect
negatively. It also identified that 8 participants think that cultural differences is reason for above
stated problem, 10 people feel that senior does not consider all workers equally they recognize
female less than male employees. On the other hand, 10 out of 40 think that all above reasons are
increasing gender pay gap at workplace.
Theme 4- “Gender pay has impact on mental health of applicants”
Yes 39
No 1