Analysis of Marks and Spencer Business Project Management Report

This report analyzes the project management of a business project, focusing on Marks and Spencer's expansion strategy in a globalized market. It delves into the aims, objectives, and the project management plan, including cost, scope, time, quality, communication, risk, and resources. The report...Read More

Managing A Successful Business Project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
P1 Discuss the aims and objectives of the project......................................................................3
P2 Project management plan.......................................................................................................4
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide time frames and stages.................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................9
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative methods................................9
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................12
P5 Research and data using appropriate tools and techniques..................................................13
P6 Recommendations as result of research and data analysis..................................................21
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................21
P7 Reflection ............................................................................................................................21
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................22
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................23

INTRODUCTION
Managing of projects includes planning and organising of company's resources so as to
completing a specific task, event or duty which is related with project. Apart from that,
Globalisation is an activity of desegregation and physical phenomenon among organisations,
national authorities and individuals in across globally. This process is rapidly growing in market
because globalisation assists to each firm in enhancing its market share along with increasing in
productivity. Taken firm for this assignment is Marks and Spencer which is a British
multinational retailer and was founded in 1884 at London. Company engages in retail sector and
offers various products like food, home, clothing etc. Present document will define about
purpose and aims of report along with projection management plan and its several features like
time period, range, quality, hazard etc. Small scale investigation along with qualitative and
quantitative methods will also covered in this task. At last, some recommendations will also
provided to company that helps them in overcoming the effect of international firms on the
business concern surroundings of multitude destination.
TASK 1
P1 Discuss the aims and objectives of the project
Background of the expansion project- Globalisation is a process in which company
expands their business operations at global level. In addition, expansion can be in form of ideas,
products or cultural aspects etc. Globalisation provides both kind of impact within a business
environment such as positive or negative. In form of positive, globalisation increases
employment opportunities to the large number of people which automatically supports economic
development of nation. It also encourages other firms to adopt advanced technology in their
workplace so as to earning more profitability in future. In an business environment, globalisation
not only increases the wealth of people but also improve standard of living of individuals.
Whereas, negative aspects of Globalisation is that, it increases inequality in the income of
individuals due to which a wide gap between rich and poor people is occurred in business
environment (Alfaro and Johnson, 2012). In order to identifying the effect of international
organizations on business concern surroundings of concourse destination this investigation is
interpreted into consideration.

Background of Research project – Each organisation wants to expand its business
operations along with market share and customer base in the sector in which it deals. Term
globalisation is helpful for this because it helps the different organisation of the world to work
together so that their profitability can be increase in marketplace. Chosen firm for this report is
M&S who wants to make globalise their business so that they can take advantage of first mover
in those nations where no retailer of clothing products is operating its business. For this, a
researcher has been hired by M&S so as to identifying the factors of globalisation which can
impact positively or negatively on their operations during expansion.
Purpose - Main purpose of this investigation is to identify the effect of international
firms on business concern surroundings of host destinations.
Title of Research – How Do multinational organisations impacts on the business concern
situation of host destination. A country, region, city ?
Aim- “To determine the impact of Marks and Spencer on business environment of UK”
Objectives
 To acquire the knowledge regarding the concept of business environment
 To identify the impact of M&S on business environment of UK
 To examine the interrelation between impact of M&S and Business environment of UK
Research Questions
 Are you aware regarding the concept of business environment ?
 What type of impact posses by M&S on business environment of UK ?
 Is there any interrelationship between impact of M&S and business environment of UK ?
P2 Project management plan
Project management plan is defined as a conventional or structured representation that
states that how will task will be carried out, determined and obsessed. In addition, it is a blue
print that consider all criterion, period of time lines etc. which are helpful for investigator in
completing project as per the given deadlines. Through developing an effective project
management plan, managers of project can easily conduct all project activities along with
eliminating the errors. This will be helpful in successfully completion of project (Baylis, Smith
and Owens, 2017). There are four stages of project management in which Project managers of
M&S have to carried out their activities so that their business operations would be expanded
effectively in marketplace. These stages are briefly explained as below:

Initiating- It is the first step of model in which managers have to determine nature and
scope of project because if these are not clearly identified by project managers then it will leads
the project towards failure. This stage includes determination of goals, components, negative
factors, financial analysis and SWOT analysis which are done in order to execute the project
effectively.
Planning- In it, project managers of M&S have to start planning for project which
includes estimation of time, cost, resources and other components. Planning before starting of
project is essential because it helps in identifying risk factors which can affect the projects in
negative manner along with estimates the amount of funds that is required in order to conducting
the task.
Monitoring and controlling- It includes measurement of each task actions and
multivariate like value, attempt and range etc. In M&S, this phase is important because with the
help of it unessential activities will be identified and removed which leas the firm towards
optimal utilising the resources.
Closing- This stage is based on two factors in which first one is related with market
report that provides results that M&S have successfully expanded their business operations or
not. Second one is related with measurement of input, tools and techniques and outputs during
the project ( Bhabha, 2012). After measuring all these factors, management can easily close their
project.
There are some other aspects of project management plan which should be consider by
project managers so as to completing the project effectively. These aspects are briefly explained
as below:
Cost- This is one of the important aspect which should be considered by project
managers of M&S because it will support them in executing their business concern trading
operations effectively. Therefore, it is very essential for project managing director of M&S
to allocate the funds so that any kind of difficulty during expansion wouldn't be faced by
them. In context of this, Project managers of M&S have estimated the amount of £30000 for
making expansion of their business. Whereas, researcher have demanded £5,500 for
carrying out all activities of research effectively.
Scope- It defines overall purpose of project in marketplace. In reference with this
project, it will discuss how M&S is impacting the business environment of UK. As company

wants to expand their business operations then there will be higher employment
opportunities to the local people which leads economic development in nation. Apart from
that, through executing this research researcher will be able in understand the effect of
transnational firms on the business concern surroundings of multitude destinations which
will be helpful for them in conducting further research programmes. Therefore, it can be
said that scope of project is very wide for both company and researcher.
Time- It is also an important aspect because without considering this, project will
leads towards failure. In context of this project, project managers of M&S have to set a
specific time period so that all project activities should be executed properly which results in
achieving desired results in future. For completing the project, management have estimated
a time period of 4 months whereas, researcher have demanded 6 weeks so as to completing
the research programmes (Boulouta,and Pitelis, 2014).
Quality- In order to carrying out the project activities, this is the main responsibility
of project managers to guide and support their teammates so that valid outcomes will be
received in future period. Higher efforts and contribution of staff members not only enhance
the quality of work but also supports the M&S in its expansion. Whereas, researcher should
use qualitative methods in execution of research so that reliable results will be provided to
managers of M&S at the end of research.
Communication- It is an important aspect because without this project manages of
M&S couldn't communicate with its teammates which leads the project towards failure.
Therefore, it is very crucial for project managers to apply effectual transmission of
abstraction like e-mails, seminars, conferences in their internal environment so that
teammates will understand their duties and performs accordingly. Whereas, researcher
should also use effective channels of communication like online surveys, questionnaire, e-
mails, phone calls for taking opinions from the respondents.
Risk- Shortage of time and funds along with outdated technology are some risks
which can affect the project and research activities negatively. Therefore, it is necessary for
project managers of Marks and Spencer to consider these factors effectively before starting
the project so that any kind of problem wouldn't be determined by them during expansion.
Whereas, researcher should make all arrangements effectively so that valid results will be
accepted at the end of investigation.

Resources- This is an essential aspect of project management plan because without it
desired outcomes can't be obtained by project managers of M&S. This aspect includes
human, technological, financial resources which are essential for carrying out each project
and research activities effectively. Main resources which are identified by researcher are
adequate amount of funds, advanced tools and technologies etc. that will provide effective
support in completion of research programme in desired manner.
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide time frames and stages
Gantt chart- This is an effective method or tool which is used by firms for completing
the activities of project effectively. In addition, it also helps the project managers in identifying
each task of project with the help of visual presentation. In this, each activities of project are
segmented in several parts and are displayed on a visual chart. This chart includes start and end
dates of each project activities which helps the project managers in completion of project within
the given time-frame. As M&S wants to make expansion of their business operations then
project managers have duty to write each activities related with the project on this chart so that
all activities would be done in given time-frame. This chart not only supports the project
managers in completion of project but also it increases the productivity of organisation ( Clark,
2014).

Work breakdown structure- This structure is used by project managers when they have
to execute several complex activities in a specific project. This is the process of segmenting and
sub dividing each task of project into smaller components so that activities would be managed
and desired results will be received in the given deadlines. It is mainly used for understanding
the project activities in detailed manner. This method also prove beneficial for M&S because
through this, they will be able in expanding their business operations without facing any
difficulty.

TASK 2
P4 Small scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative methods
Small scale investigation is an effective enquiry of study of substantial which helps
the investigators in identifying reality and ambit towards new terminate. Therefore,
investigator have duty to utilize suitable acts for executing research programmes effectively.
There are mainly two kinds of investigation methods which are used by researchers in order
to conducting research programmes. These methods are given as below:
Qualitative method- This research method is a scientific method of observation which is
used by researchers in order to collecting non-numerical data. In addition, it is a research method
that mainly focuses on gathering the data through open-ended questionnaires or conversational
communication methods like interviews, one to one method etc.

Quantitative method- It is a systematic investigation method in which researcher have
to collect numerical and statistical data. In addition, quantitative research can be defined as
explained phenomena which is interpreted after collecting numerical or statistical figures. After
collecting numerical and statistical informations they have to interpret this data in understandable
manner so that valid outcomes can be provided at the end of research ( Khan, 2015).
Data Collection - This is a method which is used for collecting informations and
data related with a specific topic of research. There are mainly two kinds of data collection
method which are given as below:
Primary- In this kind of data collection, researcher have to collect the data which is
fresh in nature and never used before by anyone. This method is used by researchers so as to
gathering reliable and valid informations for research programme. For collecting this type of
data investigator can use questionnaire, one to one interview methods etc.
Data sampling - This is a process of statistical technique that is used for analysing or
manipulating data subset for determining trends in a sample of large population. In this report,
random sampling method is used by researcher for collecting information and have selected 50
respondents who provide entire view of population.
Apart from that, primary method of data collection is used in form of questionnaire by
researcher and open-ended questionnaire is formed by researcher in order to gather valid
informations for the topic of research.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Age:
Gender: Contact No.-
Address:
Q1) Are you aware regarding the concept of business environment ?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) What type of impact posses by M&S on business environment of UK ?
a) Positive
b) Negative
Q3) Is there any interrelationship between impact of M&S and business environment of
UK ?

a) Yes
b) No
Q4) How MNCs influences the business operating at local level in UK ?
a) Positively
b) Negatively
Q5) How MNCs provide supports in improving the economic growth ?
a) By generating employment opportunities
b) Payment of taxes
Q6) What methods can be used by M&S for enhancing their market share in UK ?
a) By increasing quality of products
b) Using effective kind of promotional channels
Q7) Which of the following element of business environment influences most to MNCs ?
a) Internal factor
b) External factor
Q8) What are the advantages that MNCs receives after globalising their business in new
business environment ?
a) Enhancement in customer base
b) Increasing sales and revenues
Q9) What kind of potential risks can be faced by Multinational firms while operating at
global level ?
a) Instability of government
b) Economical fluctuation
c) Advanced technology
Q10) Recommend some suitable suggestions
Secondary- This method is used when researcher have a short time of period for
conducting the research. This kind of data collection consumes less time and cost in
gathering of reliable data and informations. Investigator can use different sources for
gathering the information such as published books of authors, magazines, websites etc.

TASK 3
P5 Research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
It is very necessary for researcher to bring correct meaning of data that has been gathered
through the respondents. In addition, it is important to analysed the collected data because
with the help of this, they will be able in providing right conclusions at the end of research
programme. Interpretation of above questionnaire is given as below:
Data analysis
THEME 1: Aware about the globalisation concept
Q1) Are you aware regarding the concept of business
environment ?
Frequency
a) Yes 40
b) No 10
a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
40
10
Frequency
Knowledge regarding the concept of business envrionement
Opinion
Interpretation: It is intelligibly seen from the above graph that most of the chosen
responder are having decorous cognition about the misconception of business environment. Out

of the 50 answerer, there are 40 communicator who are aware about such idea whereas the left
10 co-defendant doesn't aware.
Theme 2: Impact of Multinational firms on business environment of UK
Q2) What type of impact posses by M&S on business environment
of UK ?
Frequency
a) Positive 35
b) Negative 15
a) Positive b) Negative
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
35
15
Frequency
Type of impact posses by M&S on business environment of UK
Opinion
35
15
Interpretation: From the above figures, it is clearly identified that 35 respondents among
50 respondents thinks the MNCs such as Marks and Spencer makes positive impact on the
business environment of UK whereas the remaining 15 respondents thinks different as according
to them,operations of MNCs makes negative impact on the business environment of UK.
THEME 3: Interrelationship between impact of M&S and business environment
Q3) Is there any interrelationship between impact of M&S and
business environment of UK ?
Frequency
Yes 36

No 14
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Frequency
Interrelationship between impact of M&S and business environment of UK
Views of Respondents
36
14
Interpretation: It has been identified from the above graph that impact of M&S and
business environment of UK are directly interrelated with each other. Out of the 50 respondents,
36 people have same views whereas the remaining 14 respondents doesn't agree with them.
THEME 4: Impact of MNCs on local level firms
Q4) How MNCs influences the business operating at local level in
UK ?
Frequency
a) Positively 35
b) Negatively 15

a) Positively b) Negatively
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Frequency
Influences of MNCs on business operations
Opinions
35
15
Interpretation: It is clearly said from the above graph that MNCs influencing most to
the local businesses of UK either in their profitability and existing market share. Among 50
respondents, 35 respondents thinks it influences positively whereas the remaining 15
respondents thinks different as according to them operations of MNCs influencing
negatively to the local business of UK.
THEME 5: Support of MNCs in improving economic growth of nation
Q5) How MNCs provide supports in improving the economic
growth ?
Frequency
a) By generating employment opportunities 39
b) Payment of taxes 11

a) By generating employment opportunities
b) Payment of taxes
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Frequency
Support of MNCs in economical growth
Views
39
11
Interpretation: From the 50 respondents, there are 39 respondents out of the 50
respondents who clearly said that the MNCs provides maximum support in the growth of
economy of UK through generating employment opportunities whereas the remaining 11
respondents thinks payment of taxes by MNCs increases the growth of economy of UK.
THEME 6: Methods are used by M&S for enhancing their market share
Q6) What methods can be used by M&S for enhancing their
market share in UK ?
Frequency
a) By increasing quality of products 28
b) Using effective kind of promotional channels 22

a) By increasing quality of products
b) Using effective kind of promotional channels
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
28
22 Frequency
Methods used by M&S for enhancing market share
Opinions
28
22
Interpretation: It is clearly seen from the above table that increasing quality and using
promotional tools help M&S to achieve huge market share in UK. Out of the 50 respondents, 28
people thinks the company should focus on increasing quality of their existing offerings whereas
the remaining 22 respondents thinks different as according to them, using promotional tools will
be more beneficial for company to gain huge market share.
THEME 7: Influences of factors on MNCs
Q7) Which of the following element of business environment
influences most to MNCs ?
Frequency
a) Internal factor 27
b) External factor 23

a) Internal factor b) External factor
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
27
23
Frequency
factors of business environment that influences the most on business operations of
MNCs
Opinions
27
23
Interpretation: It has been clearly identified from the preceding chart that both inside
and outside factors influencing most to the operations of MNCs. Among 50 responder, 27
respondents thinks internal factors such as employees, management etc. influencing most to
the operations of MNCs whereas the remaining 23 respondents thinks opposite as according
to them external factors such as political, economical, social etc. influencing most to the
operations of MNCs.
THEME 8: Advantages received by MNCs after globalising their businesses
Q8) What are the advantages that MNCs receives after globalising
their business in new business environment ?
Frequency
a) Enhancement in customer base 34
b) Increasing sales and revenues 16

a) Enhancement in customer base
b) Increasing sales and revenues
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Frequency
Advantages that recieved by MNCs after globalising their business
Opinions
34
16
Interpretation: It is clearly seen from the above graph that there are various
advantages which can be received by MNCs after expansion of business in new business
environment. Out of the 50 respondents, 34 respondents are clearly says that globalisation
increases the existing customer base of MNCs whereas the remaining 16 respondents thinks
that globalisation increases the sales and revenues of MNCs.
THEME 9: Potential risks that can be faced by Multinational firms
Q9) What kind of potential risks can be faced by Multinational
firms while operating at global level ?
Frequency
a) Instability of government 20
b) Economical fluctuation 16
c) Implementation of Advanced technology 14

0
6
12
18
20
16 14
Frequency
Potential risks that can be faced by Multinational companies
Opinions
Interpretation : It is clearly identified from the above table that there are various
kinds of risk which may restrict MNCs to globalise their business. Out of the 50
respondents, 20 respondents thinks that instability of government will becomes the major
threat for MNCs whereas the remaining 16 and 14 respondents thinks that economical
fluctuation and implementation of advanced technology will become the major threate for
MNCs respectively.
P6 Recommendations as result of research and data analysis
As per the above questionnaire, it has been recommended to the managers of M&S
that their decisions of expanding their business in UK business environment will be
beneficial for them. Both kind of impact can influence the operations of M&S therefore,
their managers should conduct PESTLE analysis before expansion their market share in UK
so as to identifying external factors of business environment. It has been also identified that
UK market is covered by most of multinational corporations that have a huge impact on the
business environment of UK. Therefore, in order to maintain this impact M&S have to
provide quality products at reasonable prices so that large number of customers will
attracted towards offering of firm. Through generating maximum employment opportunities
and paying tax duties on time M&S can provide good support in economic growth of UK
nation. There are also some potential risks such as instability of government, economical

fluctuations, advanced technology etc. which are exists in UK market and that can impact on
the functions and profitability of M&S. For overcoming these impacts, management should
take effective measures or formulate strategies along with involving their employees in
decision-making so that good sustainability of firm can be maintained in marketplace.
TASK 4
P7 Reflection
I have conducted a small investigation on the content of impact of international firms on
the business concern surroundings of host country. For this topic, I have chosen qualitative
research methods so that valid outcomes can be received at the end of research. Along with this,
I have also taken primary kind of data collection methods so that accurate or reliable information
for the chosen topic can be gathered which will support me in execution of research programme.
Overall data is collected in primary form because this topic is new for me due to which I
have preferred primary option for data collection. For collecting this kind of information, I have
framed open-ended questionnaire so as to receiving valid response from respondents. Some
major risks which are faced by me during the project are lack of finance, shortage of time period
and irresponsive nature of respondents.
For removing the trouble of finance, I have take support from my colleagues and
relatives. Whereas, for completing the research objectives in time-frame I have used WBS and
Gantt chart which encourages me in dividing overall activities of research in smaller parts and
write all these on a chart with specific time-frame.
Through doing this, I have performed all related activities of research in given deadlines.
In order to collecting valid response from respondents, I brings them into confidence by ensuring
them not to disclose their personal information. I have used random sampling method in this
research and chose 50 respondents from entire population whose opinions and suggestions will
be taken into consideration. Through conducting all these activities I have completed my all
research objectives in given time-frame.
CONCLUSION
It has been summarised from the above report that project management is very
essential because it guides the managers of firm in executing each project activities
effectively. It also covers several aspects like cost, time, scope, quality, risk and resources

inconsideration of these aspects can leads the project towards failure. Therefore, it is very
important for managers of organisations to manage each activity of project so that desired
results will be received in future. Gantt chart and Work Breakdown Structure also plays very
important role in success of project because when activities are manageable then it leads the
project towards success. Small scale research is very important in management of projects
because without determination of these issues and risks any firm wouldn't be able in
expanding its market share. Some good recommendations also provide effective support to
the managers of firm because through these, they can easily identify factors which will
prove beneficial in expansion of their market- share.

REFERENCES
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