Table on content

 1.0: Introduction: Part 1     (3500 words +/-10%)

2.0: Project aims, objectives and timeframes

       2.1: Project management:

       2.2: Initiation of the project and project planning phase:

3.0: Small-scale research, information gathering / data collection

       3.1: Project execution phase:

       3.2: Field work:

       3.3: Ethics, reliability and validity:

       3.4: Analysing information and data:


4.0: Introduction: Part 2

5.0: Presentation of project 

       5.1: Communicating outcomes:

       5.2: Convincing arguments:

       5.3: Critical and objective analysis and evaluation:

6.0: Reflection on the value gained from conducting the project

       6.1: Reflection for learning and practice:

       6.2: The cycle of reflection:

       6.3: Reflective writing:

       6.4: Generalisation:

7.0: Bibliography

8.0: Appendices 

       8.1: Log-book (appendix 1)
       8.2: Performance review (appendix 2)
       8.3: PR Survey (appendix 3)
       8.4: PDF of personal Unit 6 blog

Introduction (Part 1)

1.O: Scenario: Aston Martin Lagonda  Unit 6: Student guide

Aston Martin Lagonda is the world’s only independent luxury car group with more than 100 years of design and automotive excellence across two brands. They strive to be the great British car company that creates the most beautiful and accomplished automotive art in the world.

In an industry that is ‘Male Dominated’ write a report on how Aston Martin Lagonda have responded to current issues of equality and diversity in the workplace and how they can continue to develop their equality and diversity policy. Produce a comprehensive project management plan, milestone schedule and project schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project title 

How have companies’ responded to current issues of equality and diversity in the workplace? E.g. 

• Gender pay gap, 
• Sexual harassment, 
• Gender divide in leadership. 

You must conduct small-scale research, information gathering and data collection, generating knowledge to support the project, and critically evaluate the project management process and appropriate research methodologies applied.

Learning Outcome 1

2.0: Establish project aims, objectives and timeframes based on the chosen theme 

(Pearson-Set Theme and Topic Release)  Unit 6: Student guide

2.1: Project management:

• What is project management and what does it involve?

• The key stages of project management. Project Charter etc

• The advantages of using project management and why it is important.

2.2: Initiation of the project and project planning phase:

• Scoping a project − defining objectives, scope, purpose and deliverables to be produced.
• Steps and documentation required in the initiation phase.

       Example of steps and docmentation required

• Developing the project plan, including planning for timescales and time management, cost, quality, change, risk and issues.
• The work breakdown structure.
• Use of Bar and Gantt Charts for effective planning.

Gantt chart: Figure 1

LO1 Establish project aims, objectives and time frames based on the chosen theme (case study)

• P1 Devise project aims and objectives for a chosen scenario.

• P2 Produce a project management plan that covers, aim and deliverables, time, quality, communication, risk and resources. 

• P3 Produce a work breakdown structure and a Gantt Chart to provide time frames and stages for completion.

• M1 Produce a comprehensive project management plan, milestone schedule and project schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project.

LO1 and LO2 

• D1 Critically evaluate the project management process and methods applied for gathering information and data collection

Learning Outcome 2

3.0: Conduct small-scale research, information gathering and data collection to generate knowledge to support the project

3.1: Project execution phase:

• Selecting appropriate methods of information gathering, data collection and material resourcing.

3.1.1: The 1st method for information gathering, data collection and material resourcing is PR (Primary Research) i.e. Survey Monkey. 

Example questions: (Click) hyperlinked - Gender Pay Gap Survey (2019):

1. When does the gender pay gap reporting duty come into force? 
2. Other than consent, what legal grounds will there be for processing personal data under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)? 
3. Does an employee made redundant while on maternity leave have any special rights? 
4. What is the living wage used by the Living Wage Foundation and how is it calculated? 
5. Do grandparents have any right to paid or unpaid leave to spend time with their grandchildren? 
6. Do employers need to amend employees’ contracts to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)? 
7. Can an employer terminate the contract of an employee on maternity leave? 
8. What data subject access rights will employees have under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)? 
9. Do employers have to publish an explanation of their gender pay gap figures? 
10. Does an employer have to pay holiday pay to its casual workers?

Ref: Gender Pay Gap (2017) 

3.1.2: The 2nd method for information gathering, data collection and material resourcing is SR (Secondary Research) i.e. information / data to support PR questions:

Image UK Wage Rates (2019) - supporting Q4. PR

Image supporting Q9. PR

Image supporting Q10. PR

3.1.3: The 3rd method for information gathering, data collection and material resourcing is TR (Tertiary  Research) i.e. information / data to support PR & SR via case studies or interview (Videos)

Real Cost of living in london

3.1.4: Qualitative and quantitative research methods. 

                        Research Tools and Techniques
           
           Table 9: Qualitative data collection tools

3.2: Field work:

• Selecting a sample of the consumer market, businesses or individuals (those who meet certain characteristics relevant to the research theme) is used to gather data (qualitative or quantitative).
• Sampling approaches and techniques, including probability and non-probability sampling.

3.3: Ethics, reliability and validity:

• All research should be conducted ethically − how is this achieved and reported?
• Research should also be reliable (similar results achieved from a similar sample) and valid (the research should measure what it aimed to measure).

3.4: Analysing information and data:

• Using data collection tools such as interviews and questionnaires.
• Using analytical techniques such as trend analysis, coding or typologies.

What is triangulation of data in qualitative research? 

Is it a method of validating the information collected through various methods?

Triangulation means using more than one method to collect data on the

same topic. This is a way of assuring the validity of research through

the use of a variety of methods to collect data on the same topic, which

involves different types of samples as well as methods of data collection.

However, the purpose of triangulation is not necessarily to cross-validate

data but rather to capture different dimensions of the same phenomenon.

LO2 Conduct small-scale research, information gathering and data collection to generate knowledge to support the project

• P4 Carry out small-scale research applying primary and secondary methods appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives.
• M2 Evaluate the accuracy and reliability of primary and secondary methods applied.

LO1 and LO2 

• D1 Critically evaluate the project management process and methods applied for gathering information and data collection

Introduction (Part 2)

4.0: In the second part of the business project report, critically evaluate and reflect on the project outcomes, the decision making process and changes or developments of the initial project management plan to support justification of recommendations and learning during the project.

This should include an evaluation of the value of the project management process and use of quality research applying qualitative and quantitative research methods appropriate for meeting the stated objectives, and to support own learning and performance.

Learning Outcome 3

5.O: Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/or analysis

5.1: Communicating outcomes: Mind-map

• Consider the method (e.g. written, verbal) and the medium (e.g. report, online, presentation).
• Both method and medium will be influenced by the project research and its intended audience.

5.2: Convincing arguments:

• All findings/outcomes should be convincing and presented logically where the assumption is that the audience has little or no knowledge of the project process. 

• Developing evaluative conclusions.

5.3: Critical and objective analysis and evaluation:

• Secondary and primary data should be critiqued and considered with an objective mindset.
• Objectivity results in more robust evaluations where an analysis justifies a judgement.

LO3 Present the project and communicate appropriate recommendations based on meaningful conclusions drawn from the evidence findings and/or analysis

• P5 Present findings and data using appropriate tools and techniques.
• P6 Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of findings and data analysis to draw valid and meaningful conclusions.
• M3 Evaluate the selection of appropriate tools and techniques for accuracy and authenticity to support and justify recommendations.

LO3 and LO4

• D2 Critically evaluate and reflect on the project outcomes, the decisionmaking process and changes or developments of the initial project management plan to support justification of recommendations and learning during the project.

Learning Outcome 4

6.0: Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable organisational performance

6.1: Reflection for learning and practice:

• The difference between reflecting on performance and evaluating a project − the former considers the research process, information gathering and data collection, the latter the quality of the research argument and use of evidence.

6.2: The cycle of reflection:

• To include reflection in action and reflection on action.
• How to use reflection to inform future behaviour, particularly directed towards sustainable performance.

6.3: Reflective writing:

• Avoiding generalisation and focusing on personal development and the research journey in a critical and objective way.

• Survey Monkey - Gender Pay Gap Survey (2019)

• Google cloud / Drive

• Gantt Chart (2019)

• Project monitoring Log-book (2019)

• Weblog development: D.Hilton (2019) Weblog

• Snipping tool

• Research methods: PR, SR and TR

6.4: Generalisation:

• Many studies result in generalised findings. Research which has its basis in a specific field such as Human Resource Management (HRM) and in a specific context should avoid generalised conclusions.

• Outcomes should be specific and actionable.

LO4 Reflect on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable organisational performance

• P7 Reflect on the value of undertaking the project to meet stated objectives and own learning and performance.

• M4 Evaluate the value of the project management process to meet stated objectives and support own learning and performance.

LO3 and LO4

• D2 Critically evaluate and reflect on the project outcomes, the decisionmaking process and changes or developments of the initial project management plan to support justification of recommendations and learning during the project.