Kensington College Business Project: Equality and Diversity Report

This report presents a comprehensive analysis of a business project focused on equality and diversity in the workplace, using Marks & Spencer as a case study. The project begins by establishing aims, objectives, and research questions to assess how organizations can eliminate discrimination and maintain a diverse workplace. It includes a thorough literature review covering key concepts like discrimination, equality, and diversity, as well as the significance of a diverse workplace. A detailed project management plan is provided, incorporating elements such as cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk, and resources. The project utilizes a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart for effective project management. The research methodology involves both qualitative and quantitative methods, with primary data collected through questionnaires administered to Marks & Spencer employees. The data collected is analyzed, and the findings are presented to draw valid outcomes. The project concludes with recommendations for management decisions, aiming to foster an inclusive and diverse work environment.

Managing a Successful
Business Project
1

2

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
P1.................................................................................................................................................4
P2.................................................................................................................................................5
P3.................................................................................................................................................7
M1................................................................................................................................................9
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................9
P4.................................................................................................................................................9
M2..............................................................................................................................................12
D1..............................................................................................................................................12
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................12
P5...............................................................................................................................................12
P6...............................................................................................................................................19
M3..............................................................................................................................................19
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................20
P7...............................................................................................................................................20
M4..............................................................................................................................................20
D2..............................................................................................................................................20
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................22
3

INTRODUCTION
Equality and diversity are significant aspects of organisation and management requires to
emphasize on treating all the individuals equally and ensuring that no discrimination takes place
at workplace (What is Equality and Diversity? Why is it important?, 2019). Marks and Spencer is
one of the leading retailer of United Kingdom who deals in home and food products and
clothing. It was established in 1884 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. This project
covers aim, objectives and project management plan, WBS, Gantt chart. It also includes different
research methods and data is analysing and interpret to draw valid outcomes and provide
appropriate recommendations.
TASK 1
P1
Aim of project:
The aim of this project is “To assess the different ways through which an organisation
can remove discrimination and maintain diverse work place. A case study on Marks & Spencer”.
Objectives of project:
The main objectives in relation to this particular project are as follows:
 To get an understanding about the terms Discrimination, Equality and Diversity.
 To assess the significance of maintaining diverse workplace for Marks & Spencer.
 To identify distinct ways by which discrimination can be removed and an equally diverse
work place can be maintained by Marks & Spencer.
Project questions:
The research questions associated with this project are mentioned below:
 What is Discrimination, Equality and Diversity concept?
 What is the significance of maintaining diverse workplace for Marks & Spencer?
 Which are the distinct ways by which discrimination can be removed and an equally
diverse work place can be maintained by Marks & Spencer?
Literature Review:
1. Understanding about Discrimination, Equality and Diversity
4

As per the view point of Crane, and Matten, (2016), Equality and Diversity are all about
acknowledging that each individual has a right to treat equally and fairly, irrespective of their
age, gender, religion, race, caste, sexual orientation etc. In relation to workplace, equality is to
make sure that employees are not discriminated on the basis of certain characteristics like age,
gender etc and treated equally. On the other hand, take into account the differences among
individuals and placing positive value on those is diversity. For all the organisations, it is crucial
to treat all the individuals equally and maintain diverse workplace. When the individuals are
unable to enjoy their human rights on equal basis due to unjustified distinctions maid in law and
policy. In order to maintain healthy work environment, it is very necessary for the company to
treat all its employees equally, without any discrimination.
2. Significance of maintaining diverse workplace for Marks & Spencer
According to the viewpoint of Konrad, Yang, and Maurer, (2016), Workplace diversity is
very significant for the organisation as this help in fostering mutual respect among the workforce
and assist in developing a healthy environment. It is important for the company as it assist in
improving productivity and accomplishing organisational goals. Diversity assist in choosing
wide range of work force on the basis of their talents. Having diverse employees helps Marks &
Spencer in gaining competitive advantage in market.
3. Distinct ways to remove discrimination and maintain equally diverse work place
According to the opinion presented by Cristian Grossmann, 2020, there are some ways
through which the manager of Marks and Spencer can remove discrimination and maintain
diverse workplace. Developing inclusive workplace policies is one of the ways through which
manager can developed diverse workplace. Apart from this, clear communication of all these
policies within organisations is crucial to make sure that the executed initiatives are effective.
Moreover, providing diversity training to work force will also assist in removing discrimination
and developing a healthy workplace environment.
P2
A formal document or plan which defines the way project is going to be performed is defined as
project management plan. It involves information about goals, budget, deliverables, timeline,
scope etc. which are crucial and assistive in keeping the project on track (Basak, and Khanna,
2017). It consists of some elements which are discussed below:
Cost It is the amount of money which is invested to gain effective results from
5

project. In order to finish this project effectively, the estimated cost is 5000
pounds. The costs related to this project are as follows:
Cost breakdown of Project:
Investment £550
Research & Development cost £750
Expertise £450
Resources for execution of equality and diversity £1500
Employees Training £750
Cost of executing variations in workplace £1000
Total £5000
Scope This element ascertains the future value of project. This project has wider
scope as assist organisation in gaining good understanding about significance
of maintaining equally diverse workplace determining and executing the
strategies that assist in removing discrimination and maintaining diverse
workplace (Flick, 2015).
Time In any project, time is the most essential aspect which depicts initiation and
completion of project. For completing this project in a successful way,
approximately 4 months are needed by the project manager.
Quality For ensuring effective and accurate outcomes of project, quality is the crucial
aspect. So, it is needed by the project manager to use appropriate method for
gathering data. Questionnaire is used in this project to ensure collection of
accurate data and maintaining the quality of project.
Communication Effective communication of project activities and tasks is very necessary to
make sure its completion on specified time. The project manager make use of
emails and telephone to exchange or communicate information associated
with the project (Clinton and Whisnant, 2019).
6

Risk For each and every project, some kind of risk is associated. It is the
uncertainty which brings deviations in original outcomes of project. Lack of
time and lack of funds are the two major risks associated with this project
which may hamper its performance and completion time.
Resources For completing a particular project, some resources are needed involving
physical, technological, human and financial resource. To complete this
project successfully, adequate amount of funds is needed along with skilled
and competent team members to perform each activity of project in an
effective way.
P3
Work breakdown structure:
A hierarchical tree structure which breakdown the project into manageable portions is
referred as work breakdown structure (Drews, and Van den Bergh, 2016). This tool is use by
project manager in order to understand the work which has to be done in successful way to
produce effective deliverables. It helps in organising the work in manageable way and performed
effectively.
Gantt Chart:
7

A tool which is useful for planning as well as scheduling projects is termed as Gantt
Chart. It helps project manager in assessing the starting and finishing time of project,
ascertaining resources required to complete the project and developing plan to complete the tasks
systematically (Huntington, 2018). It also assists manager in managing the dependencies among
tasks.
8

M1
In order to monitor and complete aim and objectives of project, development of a
comprehensive project management plan is effective. This plan consists of elements like cost,
scope, time, quality, communication, resources and risk which assist in successful completion of
project. Apart from this, use of work breakdown structure and Gantt chart is also effective in
monitoring activities of project and its ensure timely completion and accomplishment of goals
and objectives.
TASK 2
P4
Research methodology involves different methods which assist in performing the study in
systematic way. Some of the research methods are discussed below:
9

Qualitative method: this is the method which is associated with collection of non-numerical
information or detailed data on the topic. Through using this method, the project manager is able
to collect in-depth information on the topic which help in drawing valid outcomes.
Quantitative research method: in this method, numerical information is acquired by project
manager. The reason behind selection of this method is that it assists project manager in
presenting the findings of project in better way (Israel, and et. al., 2017).
In relation to this investigation, project manager make use of both qualitative and
quantitative research methods in order to reach to better outcomes and presenting them
effectively.
Sources of Data collection:
There are two sources through which data can be collected by project manager including
primary as well as secondary data collection.
Primary data collection: this is the method which is associated with collection of first hand
data which is completely new and gathered through using the tools like questionnaire and
interview.
Secondary data collection: this method is associated with collection of second hand data
which is previously published by another individual. It can be gathered through using books,
journals, articles etc.
Both type of data is gathered in this project in order to collect detailed information on the
topic and draw valid and reliable outcomes.
Sampling: simple random probability sampling is a method which is used by project
manager to select sample size without any biasness. The sample size associated with this project
is 20 respondents who are the employees of Marks and Spencer.
For collecting information, the questionnaire is provided below:
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Contact no:
Email:
Q 1) Is maintaining equality and diversity assistive in improving morale of employees
10

within Marks & Spencer?
a) Yes
b) No
Q 2) How discrimination impacts on productivity of employees within Marks & Spencer?
a) Positively
b) Negatively
c) Neither positively nor negatively
Q 3) How effective it is for Marks & Spencer to maintain equally diverse workplace within
the company?
a) Highly effective
b) Effective
c) Neither effective nor ineffective
d) Ineffective
e) Highly ineffective
Q 4) What is the importance of maintaining diverse workplace for Marks & Spencer?
a) Improves productivity
b) Promotes creativity and innovation
c) Improves brand reputation
d) Enhance culture of company
e) Diverse pool of talent
Q 5) Which is the appropriate way to remove discrimination and build equally diverse
workplace?
a) Render diversity training
b) Develop diverse teams
c) Develop diverse friendly policies
d) Providing equal development opportunities
Q 6) According to you, how discrimination affects the morale of employees within Marks &
Spencer?
Q 7) As per your opinion, what can be the adverse impact of discrimination for
organisation?
Q 8) Suggest any other strategy which is appropriate for company in removing
11

discrimination and maintaining equally diverse work place?
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
M2
The different research methods applied to the study includes primary and secondary data
collection method which assist in collecting between information on the topic. Apart from this,
qualitative and quantitative methods are utilized so that both numerical and non-numerical
information can be acquired to make sure that validity and reliability of the project can be
maintained. Moreover, the use of simple random sampling also assists in removing the biasness
world gathering data and maintain accuracy and reliability of study.
D1
The project management processes used to manage the project effectively and
accomplishing the objectives. the use of questionnaire for collecting data assist in gaining
accurate responses from the respondents. The use of quantitative method assists in collecting the
numerical information which in turn assist in maintaining accuracy. However, it is time
consuming method and takes lot of time in collecting the data. On the other hand, secondary data
collection method helps in acquiring detailed information on topic, however the accuracy of the
data is less.
TASK 3
P5
Analysis of data
Q 1) Is maintaining equality and diversity assistive in improving
morale of employees within Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Yes 18
b) No 2
Q 2) How discrimination impacts on productivity of employees within
Marks & Spencer?
Frequency
a) Positively 2
b) Negatively 17
c) Neither positively nor negatively 1
12