Project Management Report: M&S Talent Management and Research

This report presents a project management analysis centered on a case study of Marks and Spencer (M&S). The report begins with an introduction to the research project, focusing on talent management strategies within M&S to attract and retain skilled employees. It outlines the aims, objectives, and research questions guiding the investigation. Task 1 details the background, including a literature review of talent management concepts, significance, and principles. It includes a project management plan with components such as time, cost, quality, scope, communication, risk, and resources, and a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart. Task 2 involves small-scale qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Task 3 focuses on evaluation research, data analysis using appropriate tools and techniques, and recommendations based on the findings. Finally, Task 4 reflects on the project's value and the student's learning, concluding with a reflection and final submission.

Managing a successful
business project

Contents
Managing a successful business project..........................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1: Background of the research project and chosen company....................................................3
P2: Produce a project management plan containing description of different aspects.................4
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart.........................................................................6
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
P4 Small scale research by implementation qualitative and quantitative research......................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5 Evaluation research and data using appropriate tools and techniques...................................9
P6 Appropriate recommendation as a result of data and research analysis...............................17
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................18
P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the project to meet stated objectives and own learning
and performance........................................................................................................................18
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................18
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20
APPENDICES...............................................................................................................................22
Logbook.....................................................................................................................................22
Performance Review Template..................................................................................................25

INTRODUCTION
Employees are considered as an asset for an organisation thus their contribution and efforts
decides the possibilities for an organisation in achievement of its pre-determined goals and
objectives (Chen, Lee and Ahlstrom, 2019). For this, it is important for every organisation to
understand employees’ working behaviour and accordingly frame strategies to retain them with
company for longer period of time. The management need to hire researcher who conduct
research for them and draw out a valid conclusion so that a better decision can be taken for the
betterment of workforce. The present assignment report is based on “Marks and Spencer (M&S)”
which is engaged in offering wide range of products and services such as clothing, food products
etc. The company has already attained strong market position with the help of skilled and
experienced workforce. The report discusses the aims and objectives along with project
management plan. The report explains the research methodology and data analysis so as to draw
a valid conclusion at the end of research work.
TASK 1
P1: Background of the research project and chosen company
Overview of the Research: The research depends on Talent management which is
significant in order to attain business objectives and aims in appropriate manner. In the context
of M&S their management is highly focused over inculcating talent management practices so
that to attract talented workforce in their organisation. With the help of talent-management
strategies working capabilities of the business can be improved due to which motivation can be
rendered to employees in prominent manner (Marinakou and Giousmpasoglou, 2019)M&S is a
multinational organisation which is known for their fashionable clothing and accessories so this
is significant for them that they inhale such strategies in their business by which they may retain
talented workforce and attract talent as well which provides direct positive implication to overall
productivity. Thus in light of above mentioned objective robust research is being conducted in
order to inculcate appropriate strategies through which talented workforce can be retained and
attracted.
Aim: “To analyse various strategies which can be used by organisation for the major
purpose of retaining and attracting talented workforce”. A case study on M&S.
Objectives:

1. To draw appropriate understanding regarding talent management within a business
organisation.
2. To determine significance of talent-management within business in retaining and
attracting talented workforce.
3. To examine principles which can be used by businesses for the major purpose of inhaling
talent-management.
4. To analyse essentialism of talent-management within business workings.
5. To analyse various strategies which can be utilised within an organisation for attracting
and retaining talented workforce.
Research questions:
1. What is the concept of talent-management within an organisation.
2. What is the significance of talent-management in retaining and attracting skilful
employees within business.
3. What are the principles that can be instigated by a business for managing talent.
4. What are the importance of talent-management within business organisation.
5. What can be appropriate strategies that can be used by the business to inhale talented
workforce.
Literature review
Understanding regarding talent management
According to Healthfield talent-management is defined as the approach of human
management in which HR processes are taking place in order to attract and develop employees
so that they can be retained for longer duration of time. This approach enables the employees to
perform in better way so that competitive advantage can be attained by the business. Talent-
management is working as an aspiration to the employee in a way that better employees can be
selected and encourages to work in effective way.
Significance of talent-management in retaining and attracting skilful employees within
business
The major significance of talent management is to attract and retain top talent so that
employee motivation can be rendered. Besides this the major focus of talent-management
approaches is to support employees in full fledged manner in order to prepare a path of their

success. As with the help of talent-management strategies prominence employee base can be
build up which enable the business to deal with market complexities in easy manner.
Principles that can be instigated by a business for managing talent
According to Foulon, 2020, there are six major principles that are required to be
instigated in order to manage talent within an organisation such as:
Alignment with strategy
Intrinsic consistency
Cultural focus
Involvement of management
Balancing needs of global and national aspects
Branding through differentiation.
Essentialism of talent-management within business workings
In the context of a business organisation talent-management is associated with high edge
significance as this is required in order to attract and retain talent in such a way that overall
development can be rendered to the business. Besides this with the help of talent-management
critical roles within business can be executed in appropriate manner due to which complexities
can be minimised.
In order to manage talent in an appropriate manner businesses are using differential HR
Practices and motivation and training and development are major in this. By providing prominent
gateway of training and development HR personnel can enhance skills of their employee in such
a way that organisational objectives can be accomplished.
Various strategies which can be utilised within an organisation for attracting and retaining
talented workforce
According to Jim Molis, 2019, there are various strategies that can be adopted by
businesses in order to attract and retain talented workforce such as:
By adopting employee centric culture positivity can be rendered within workplace that
may lead in generation of environment in which talented employees can survive in better way.
Besides this by involving employees in recruitment process talented employees can be
encouraged to stay within business for longer time and provide their contribution in appropriate
manner.

P2: Produce a project management plan containing description of different aspects
The Project is a study or research taken up with a motive to reach certain defined result. Each
project has its own objectives. The Project Management is defined as the application of process,
research and methods to achieve the desired objectives (Whysall, Owtram and Brittain, 2019).
The project management has definite outcome which is constrained with certain deliverables to
be performed within certain stipulated time. The main phases of project management are
initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closure. According to this research, the main
components of the project management needed by the researcher are;
Time: The time is important component in the project management, As the main
objectives and study of the project is identified then the timeline to carry out the project is
identified. The timeline is the expected completion date of the project. The project is always
carried out in certain time frame. It includes various process which require certain time to reach
to final end. To carry out the project efficiently it firstly requires a dedicated time plan for
completion of each activity. The time to complete the project will be needed of 3 months in this
study to reach the conclusion (Boštjančič and Slana, 2018).
Cost: The cost is referred to incurred expenditure in carrying out the project. The proper
projection and allocation of funds is needed to complete the project smoothly. With creation of
proper budget, the action plans so planned are carried accordingly. The budget of £800 would be
the required amount to carry the project (Jayaraman, Talib and Khan, 2018)
Quality: The quality deliverable refers to the work so conducted should be in the
consideration of proper quality format. There are quality standards set for each activity to
benchmark the position. The quality management should always consist part of the project
management. Each business never compromises on quality standards so set for each business.
Scope: The scope involves the features and functions of the project that it will met. The
scope is taken as the area of the project to it will support. With the proper decided goals, time
and resources the scope is decided of the study. The scope undertakes the list of the objectives,
activities, plans and procedures required to carry the study. With understanding of scope the fair
picture of project is drawn and activities are planned dedicating to scope. To carry out the project
the skilled and proficient staff should be the part (Horner, 2017)
Communication: When the resources are decided and time schedule is created then the
failure point arises is the communication. The lack of properly communicating it further may

have an impact on the effectiveness of project management. The constant feedback should be the
approach to follow. It involves inputs and outputs from subordinates also. The constant and
regular updates should be maintained upon. In this research the researcher needs to be in
communication with the supervisor, employees, public is required (Abunar, 2016)
Risk: The risk is a negative factor which affects the project negatively when not identified.
The risk needs to be identified in advance and a backup plan should be part of the project. The
project needs to a have part of the all the backup plans with every risk identified. The risk is a
factor which if not identified or projected can ruin all the progress. The risk in all the aspects
needs to be identified and addressed (Cooke, 2017)
Resources: The resources are the support to complete the project. The resource plan needs
to be developed in advance and communicated further. The resource schedule is created and
allocated for carrying the project effectively. The resources may be related to men, machine, and
other resources. The efficient use of resources should be done to maximise the efficiency. In this
research, the researcher needs to have proper human resource team which have the leadership
and communication skills (Alias and et. al., 2017)
P3 Work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart
Work breakdown structure
The work breakdown structure (WBS structure) is the effective tool of carrying out the
operations. The activities are broken down into the small task for effective accomplishment of
task. It is a technique of identifying and then breaking it down further for the efficiency. It
logically divides activities based on the same nature for effective completion of project and to
measure its progress in a simplified manner (Mabaso, 2020)

Gantt Chart
A Gantt chart is the basis for timeline of project. The chart is being divided in which the left
side shows the project activities and the top of chart shows time frame of the project. The length
of the chart depicts the activity's time chart of its accomplishment. The pictorial depiction makes
it easier to evaluate the progress of the project. This is very helpful in measuring the activities
(Haque, Fernando, and Caputi, 2019). There are 8 steps within this projects such as introduction,
aims and objectives, literature review, research methodology, data collection, data analysis,
conclusion and recommendation, reflection and final submission. The key concept of gantt chart
is to assign time for each activities so that project can be completed within proper time frame.

TASK 2
P4 Small scale research by implementation qualitative and quantitative research
The research is the process of systematic activities which includes data collection,
documentation, analysis and interpretation of the collected data to reach to the conclusion so as
to achieve the objective of study. The research requires in depth analysis of data to reach to the
conclusion. The effective research helps in effective accomplishment of project management.
The two used extensively research methods are;
Qualitative Research: The qualitative research is based on the non-numerical terms. This
research is based on collecting the opinions, thoughts of the individuals in words. It is generally
focused on gathering the thoughts of the persons based on that the responses are analysed. The
questions asked in this area of open ended questions, thoughts and observations (Taylor and
Woodhams, 2016)
Quantitative Research: The quantitative research is based in numerical terms. The
quantitative research is expressed in numbers and analysed using the mathematical and statistical
techniques. The responses are generally close ended questions based on that responses are
generalised in the numerical form.
Data collection: The data collection refers to the technique of collecting the data for
analysing it. The two data collection techniques are Primary and Secondary method.
Primary Data: The primary data technique is based on collecting the data directly without
the use of any existing references. The primary data are often reliable and accurate as they are
collected for the first time. The reliability of this data helps in reaching to more accurate
conclusions (Clark, 2016)
Secondary Data: The secondary data is the technique of collection of data using the existing
sources. The sources may be journals, magazines, government publications etc. The information
is scrutinised using the objective of research. The collection of this data is more time consuming.
Under this research the both qualitative and quantitative technique is being used. The primary
data collection technique will be used under this to reach to conclusion accurately (Baum, 2018)
Sampling: This is regarded as the process under which by observation statistical analysis is
performed in order to calculate data out of large population. This is the method by which

effective understanding can be drawn by undertaking responses from respondents. In this
research sample size is taken as 30.
Probability sampling: This is a type of sampling in which samples are chosen from larger
population by using appropriate theory of sampling.
Non-Probability sampling: This type of sampling is represented by not possessed with equal
chances of being selected.
Questionnaire
Quantitative questions
Q1) Do you understand about the concept of talent-management within a business
organisation?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) Do you have opinion that talent-management is significant for sustainable business
growth and success for higher tenure?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) Is M&S working for retaining and attracting skilful employees by using talent-
management?
a)Yes
b) No
Q4) What are the major strategies that can be used by M&S for implementation of talent-
management in their organisation?
a) Providing comprehensive job description
b) Making proper path for continual success
Q5) What are the essentialism of talent-management in M&S?
a) Attracting and retaining talented workforce.
b) Amplification of performance
c) Enhancement in human resources
Q6) What are the practices which are being introduced by M&S in respect of talent-
management?
a) High degree of motivation .

b) Inhaling job satisfaction
c) Advancement of interpersonal capabilities
Q7) What are those initiations which are being taken by M&S for instigate talent-
management in workforce?
a) Rotation of jobs
b) Training and development sessions
Qualitative questions
Q8) What are the strategies that can be used by M&S in order to boost performance and
productivity of the working employees?
 Offering appropriate appraisals to employees
 Providing appropriate pathway to attain success.
Q9) What are those initiatives undertaken by M&S in order to attract and retain skilful
workforce within business?
a) Giving appropriate sessions of training and development
b) Encouraging individualism
c)Instigating higher motivation and optimism
Q11) Recommendation
TASK 3
P5 Evaluation research and data using appropriate tools and techniques
Data analysis is defined as the process in which evaluation of data is performed by
applying appropriate investigation. In order to analyse data within this research questionnaire
and data frequency distribution analysis is used which could be helpful in taking out numerical
results in appropriate manner. This is going to help the researcher in obtaining results in short
period of span so that prominence within results can be received.

THEME 1: Understanding the concept of talent management
Q1) Do you understand about the concept of talent-management within a
business organisation?
Frequency
a) Yes 24
b) No 6
Interpretation: It is clearly observed from the above graph that most of the respondents are
aware about the concept of talent management. Out of 30 respondents, 24 knows well about
same concept whereas remaining 6 doesn’t have knowledge about the same concept.
THEME 2: Significance of talent management in M&S
Q2) Do you have opinion that talent-management is significant for
sustainable business growth and success for higher tenure?
Frequency
a) Yes 20
b) No 10