This sample will let you know about:
- Discuss about the Project management plan
- Discuss about the different types of research methodology.
INTRODUCTION
It is very important for each and every business to maintain and develop equality as well as diversity for inclusive workforce (Barak, 2016). The equality and diversity is defined as way of providing equal opportunity to all employees working in an organisation so that they can attain business goal and objectives in effective manner. The given organisation is based upon Marks and Spencer which was founded in 1884 at Leeds, United Kingdom. It deals in selling of food, home, clothing and luxury products to consumers in an appropriate way to gain positive outcomes. The main aim of report is to discuss about about aim and objectives of given work along with project management plan that contain cost, scope, quality and so on. It also highlights time framework, research methodology, data interpretation and their analysis. The recommendation is provided along with their own self learning is discussed.
MAIN BODY
Project aims and objectives
Overview of the company
The organisation selected for given assignment is Marks and Spencer which was established in Leeds, United Kingdom in 1884 (Bleich MacWilliams and Schmidt, 2015). It is British multinational organisation dealing in different products such as home, luxury, food, clothing. Brands of respective organisation are Per Una, Rosie, Autograph and many more. It is operating in more than 1463 locations by employing more than 80,787 employees.
Research Aim
“To determine different types of strategies and initiatives taken by an organisation in order to build diversity and inclusive workforce.”- A study on Marks and Spencer
Research objectives
- To identify the concept of diversity and equality.
- To ascertain the issues that may arise due to absence of diverse culture at workplace.
- To determine the strategies and initiatives that company can put to build diverse and inclusive workforce.
Research questions
- What are the concept of diversity and equality?
- What are the issues that may arise due to absence of diverse culture at workplace?
- What are the strategies and initiatives that company can put to build diverse and inclusive workforce?
Project management plan
It is defined as detailed document or summary which includes baselines, management plans and other elements (Dastane and Eshegbe, 2015). This should be executed, controlled and monitored by project manager. It involves cost, time, communication, quality, risk and others. There are five steps of project management plan such as initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and closure. Advantage of such plan is saving time and cost for manager. It is important as it provide guideline to project manager to work in effective and efficient manner. Each phase requires proper scope and planning that has to be delivered. This includes following elements such as:
Cost- It is defined as money required to complete work through providing satisfaction to consumers (Gajjar and Okumus, 2018). The cost may varies from one another due to nature and structure of organisation and project work. For conducting research work by investigator cost incurred is £3000 to gather authenticate information related with assigned project. Moreover, Marks and Spencer requires 8000 pounds for collection of data and information in an effective and efficient manner. Therefore, budget is prepared in advance regarding different types of cost so that positive outcomes are achieved.
Scope- It is defined as essential part of plan which assist in identifying scope of research work from researcher and organisation point of view. This element assist respective organisation to make proper decisions regarding use of strategies and taking of initiatives for building diverse workplace at marketplace or business. Similarly, on other hand, it assist researcher to know about types of strategies which may apply by business for maintaining equality and diversity at workplace.
Time- It is referred as element which helps in identifying about time required for completion of project work. In order to finish given task, Gantt Chart and Work breakdown Structure are prepared. From researcher view, time required to finish given project work is approximately 5 months whereas Marks and Spencer takes 7 months to complete it in appropriate manner. It is very important for both researcher and organisation to divide their work in advance so that they can end up project in stipulated time period.
Quality- It is also regarded as important aspect of project plan which assist to maintain quality of work to attain positive outcomes (Gotsis and Grimani, 2016). The information should be gathered from relevant and authenticate sources. Marks and Spencer is large organisation which has to collect information and data from certify and online sources through maintaining quality in their work. On other aspect, researcher need to keep those data confidential to avoid misuse or fraudulent activities.
Communication- It is defined as procedure to transfer information as well as data from one to another with use of channel in an understandable form. Communication channel such as oral and written can be applied by organisation to gain results. The researcher uses written and oral communication to deliver information with their people. In context of Marks and Spencer, they are conducting meeting with their working force on frequent basis so that they can discuss about their problems and get solution.
Risk- While conducting research work by researcher, different risk can be faced by them like lack of time, limited resources, inaccurate response from participants, inappropriate budget and so on (Guillaume and et. al., 2017). Similarly, respective organisation has to face risks such as unskilled employees, inappropriate collected data, lack of utilisation and many more.
Resources- This is defined as significant elements which assist in identification of resources required to perform research work. For researcher, resources can be proper sources, pen, time, proper respond from respondents. From organisation point of view, resources can be data, employees, sources and so on. Order assignment help from our experts!
Time-frames work
For time-framework, different tools are used by respective organisation which are described below:
Work break down structure
It is defined as tool that assist in solving complex work by dividing into simple or easy ways. Here, project manager divide activities and work into manageable actions through hierarchical decomposition. WBS works with an aim to make large project work into managing section or parts. This assist in providing guidelines to business to perform activities and operations in appropriate manner.
Gantt chart
It is defined as bar diagram which assist in illustration of project work that determine relationship among activities and scheduled status (Mundy, 2016). This is represented through horizontal and vertical axis which indicates activities as well as work status. It possess different types of parts like timeline, bars, dependencies, task list, progress, dateline and many more. Gantt Chart leads to provide proper coordinating, planning and tracking work as well as activities. Get Assignment Examples.Talk to our Experts!
Research Methodology
Research methodology is defined as particular technique that is used for identifying, selecting, processing and analysing information about assigned topic (Nair and Vohra, 2015). This part of research work assist to evaluate reliability as well as validity of information in an effective and efficient manner. The different types of research methodology are as follows:
Primary method
This is the data which is originated for first time through researcher with help of direct experience or efforts for addressing specific problem. It is also called raw or first hand data. This method is expensive as compared to other because data and information are collected for first time and provide accurate data and information about research work. It includes methods such as focus groups, telephonic interview, case studies, personal interview and so on.
Secondary method
This is defined as second hand information where data and information are already gathered and collected by researcher or other person. It requires low cost and save time because of collecting data and information from already renowned sources. This includes different sources such as reports, websites, books, organisation, journal articles and many more. It provide less reliability and accuracy of data and information.
Qualitative research
It is defined as research method which does not involve any numerical or numbers data and statistics. This uses word, language, observations, photographs and so on (Ng and Rumens, 2017). The method is used to get benefits through understanding of opinions, motivations and reasons. It is using both unstructured and semi-structured tools such as observations, focus group, interviews and many more. Sample size taken is small and participants are chosen to fill provided quota.
Quantitative research
It is used for quantifying problems through generating numerical data and information which can be converted into statistics. This helps in quantifying opinions, attitudes, behaviours and generalisation of results from huge sample population. Quantitative method includes face to face interview, longitudinal studies, kiosk survey and others. This research is used by researcher when data and information to be collect through statistics or numerical data.
Therefore, after analysis of above, it has concluded that researcher has to use primary and qualitative research method for collection of data and information in an effective and efficient manner. As these provide accurate information regarding assigned topic. Under primary, questionnaire is prepared to get information about research work and qualitative provide in-depth study of subject matter.
Sampling
This is referred as procedure which is used for analysing statistical data and information where respondents are taken from huge populations (Pant and Vijaya, 2015). Here, sample size taken for research work is 30.
Questionnaire
It is referred as research instruments which comprise different series of questions with an objectives to collect data and information from various respondents (Pleasant, 2017). The questionnaire is described below:
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Questionnaire Q1) Do you have any knowledge about the concept of equality and diversity? a) Agree b) Disagree Q2) What are the major issues which has been faced by Marks and Spencer due to absence of diverse culture at workplace? a) Conflict among each other b) Low productivity c) Decrease in market value d) All of the above Q3) What are the benefits of diverse culture in workplace? a) Improved creativity b) Increase profits c) Reduce employee turnover Q4) Which are the major strategies which can be adopt by Marks and Spencer to build diverse and inclusive workforce? a) Meeting on regular basis b) Increasing system awareness c) Long term commitment d) All of the above Q5) What are major initiatives made by Marks and Spencer for their inclusive workforce? a) Avoiding making assumptions b) Creating new opportunities c) Including employees in decision making Q6) What are the legislation made for equality and diversity at workplace? a) Equal Pay Act, 1970 b) Sex Discrimination Act, 1975 c) Disability Discrimination Act, 1995 Q7) What are the effectiveness of implementing strategies to overcome challenges that may arise due to absence of equality and diversity at workplace? Q8) Any recommendation for further improvement... |
Data analysis and interpretation
Theme 1
|
Q1) Do you have any knowledge about the concept of equality and diversity? |
Frequency |
|
a) Agree |
25 |
|
b) Disagree |
5 |
Interpretation
The above diagram conclude that out of 30 respondents only 25 were aware about concept of equality and diversity at workplace and remaining 5 were unaware about same. It is important to provide them understanding about such aspect for better outcomes.
Theme 2
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Q2) What are the major issues which has been faced by Marks and Spencer due to absence of diverse culture at workplace? |
Frequency |
|
a) Conflict among each other |
8 |
|
b) Low productivity |
7 |
|
c) Decrease in market value |
5 |
|
d) All of the above |
10 |
Interpretation
From the above presented diagram it has summarised that there are issues which has faced by respective organisation due to absence of diverse culture at workplace. Out of 30 respondents, it has found that 8 said conflict among each other, 7 favours for low productivity, 5 said there is decline in market share and remaining 10 favours for all of the above provided issues.
Theme 3
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Q3) What are the benefits of diverse culture in workplace? |
Frequency |
|
a) Improved creativity |
10 |
|
b) Increase profits |
10 |
|
c) Reduce employee turnover |
10 |
Interpretation
The above diagram said that diverse culture provide benefits to organisation. Out of 30 participants, equal of them favours for improved creativity, increased profits and reduce employee turnover. All of them equally favours benefits to business. Get management assignment help from our experts!
Theme 4
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Q4) Which are the major strategies which can be adopt by Marks and Spencer to build diverse and inclusive workforce? |
Frequency |
|
a) Meeting on regular basis |
8 |
|
b) Increasing system awareness |
6 |
|
c) Long term commitment |
7 |
|
d) All of the above |
9 |
Interpretation
There are different strategies which has to be adopt by respective organisation for building diverse and inclusive workforce. This contain 30 participants out of which 8 said meeting on regular basis, 6 favours increasing system awareness, 7 long term commitment and remaining 9 favours for all of above strategies.
Theme 5
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Q5) What are major initiatives made by Marks and Spencer for their inclusive workforce? |
Frequency |
|
a) Avoid making assumptions |
9 |
|
b) Creating new opportunities |
11 |
|
c) Including employees in decision making |
10 |
Interpretation
The organisation has to be take initiatives for inclusive workforce. Here, out of total candidates 9 said avoid making assumptions, 11 favours for creating new opportunities and remaining 10 said including employees in decision making.
Theme 6
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Q6) What are the legislation made for equality and diversity at workplace? |
Frequency |
|
a) Equal Pay Act, 1970 |
15 |
|
b) Sex Discrimination Act, 1975 |
8 |
|
c) Disability Discrimination Act, 1995 |
7 |
Interpretation
From the above, it has concluded that out of 30 respondents 15 favours for following of equal pay act, 1970, 8 said for sex discrimination act, 1975 and remaining 7 favours for disability discrimination act, 1995 for equality and diversity at workplace.
Theme 7
Q7) What are the effectiveness of implementing strategies to overcome challenges that may arise due to absence of equality and diversity at workplace?
Interpretation
The effectiveness of implementing strategies are providing equal opportunity, including employees in decision making and taking feedback on regular basis in order to overcome challenges that may arise due to absence of equality and diversity at workplace.
Theme 8
Q8) Any recommendation for further improvement...
Interpretation
The recommendation for further for improvement are providing equal opportunities to each and every working force and including them in decision making so that they feel motivated and encouraged and perform work in effective as well as efficient manner.
Reflection
While carrying this research work, I had faced many problems and issues to attain goal and objectives. This was my first research project, I came to know about different aspects which is actually required in particular field for positive results. The research work helped me to identify my strong and weak points. I am good at managing time, allocating work, making decisions where as I lack in communication skill, leadership. I should focus on improving myself in an effective and efficient manner so that I would face same problem again in future time period. Therefore, it was good experience where I learned many things and enhance my skills, knowledge, capability for my personal and professional growth and success.
CONCLUSION
The assignment summarised that organisation has to follow equality as well as diversity at workplace for positive outcomes. It is very important for organisation to have such concept at their business for survival and success at marketplace. Project management plan has prepared for knowing about requirement of cost, time taken, risk faced, communication channel and so on. In order to complete work, time-frame work are used such as Work Breakdown Structure and Gantt Chart. Research methodology assist in collection of data and information for given topic. Recommendation are provided to business for improvement along with self-reflection is also performed for knowing one self. It is important to conduct research ethical and legal manner.
Read more - Understanding and Leading Strategical Changes
RECOMMENDATION
There are some recommendation provided to respective organisation for further improvement are as follows:
- It is recommended to Marks and Spencer to maintain equality at their workplace so that employees feel motivated and courage to perform in better manner.
- It is also recommended to follow all legislations related to equality and diversity at workplace so that employees work according to requirement of business.
Therefore, all these recommendation should be followed effectively by respective organisation for attainment of positive outcomes.
Appendix 1: Project Logbook Template
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|
Week 2 |
Week4 |
Week 6 |
Week 8 |
Week 10 |
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Update on weekly research/tasks |
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|
|
|
|
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Any risks and/or issues identified? |
|
|
|
|
|
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
Problems encountered? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Communication |
Resources |
Time |
Cost |
Decision Making |
|
Reading Books, participation. |
Allocation resources for each and every activities. |
Dividing time for all work which need to be carried out. |
Allocation of cost for conducting research work. |
Reading books and including myself to make better decisions. |
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What have I learnt about myself? |
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|
|
|
|
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Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Poor |
Improved |
Good |
Better |
Superb |
|
Efforts |
Skills |
knowledge |
Capability |
Experience |
|
Communication |
Leadership |
Decision making |
Listening to each and every team members |
Time management |
|
Completion of project work |
Participations in different activities |
Fulfilment of business goal and objectives |
Performing work for organisation |
Doing same work again |
|
Project initiation |
Project management plan |
Research methodology |
Questionnaire |
Data interpretation and analysis |
|
Project status to date: |
On, Ahead, or Behind |
On, Ahead or Behind |
On, Ahead, or Behind |
On, Ahead, or Behind |
On, Ahead, or Behind |
|
Comments and signature of the Tutor
|
|
|
|
|
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Appendix 2: Performance Review
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Performance Review
Yes, the project was accomplished in given time. I tried my best to finish as per work assigned to me in an effective and efficient manner.
The main aim of given project work is to determine different types of strategies and initiatives taken by an organisation in order to build diversity and inclusive workforce.”- A study on Marks and Spencer. Yes the given work succeed its aim as I took feedback and regular checking from my senior person.
Each of the work assigned to me worked well as time framework was made for performing each and every activities which is required in research work.
The main problem was related with time as less time was provided to collect huge information. In order to tackle them I have used time framework to complete it in given time period. All the issues were identified timely and resolution was provided for project process.
I learned to enhance my existing skills, knowledge, improved weak areas while undertaking project work.
I would rate 7 as project manager to my performance because I lack in some areas.
I have identified my strengths and weaknesses for my performance. My strengths are time management, allocation of work, decision making and weaknesses includes lack of leadership and communication skills.
This will assist me for my continuous professional development as I know about my weak areas and will keep on improving them in an effective and efficient manner. |
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