Programme:

BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Business ESBM (RQF)

Unit Number and Title

Unit 06: Managing a Successful Business Project

Unit Level:

04

Assessment Title

Start a Socially Responsible Business

Personal Tutor:

Personal Tutors Email:

Academic Year

2023- 2024

Issue date:

20/05/2024

Submission date:

15/07/2024

Result Published Date:

4 weeks after submission (Feedback is available after 3 weeks)

Submission Format

The submission is in the form of a portfolio, which includes the following components:

1. Project management plan including a work breakdown structure in the form of a Gantt chart

2. A completed project Logbook

3. A performance review

4. A business case presentation.

The business case presentation is a 10-minute individual PowerPoint presentation, and 5 minutes are allocated for questions. The presentation slides and speaker notes should be submitted in the portfolio. You are required to make effective use of PowerPoint headings, bullet points and subsections as appropriate. Your research should be referenced using the Harvard referencing system. Please also provide a bibliography using the Harvard referencing system. The recommended word limit is 1,000 to 1,500 words, including speaker notes, although you will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit.

Top Tip:Be creative with your form of assessment. For example, this could be a portfolio with an attached logbook, a presentation and an online project management plan.

Unit Learning Outcomes

LO1 Explain the critical stages of the project lifecycle that should be considered when project management.

LO2 Produce a Project Management Plan (PMP) for a business project using primary and secondary research methods.

LO3 Implement the Project Management Plan (PMP) to communicate results from the research and make conclusions from the evidence of findings.

LO4 Reflect on the value gained from implementing the project and the project management process.

Assignment Brief and Guidance

Vocational scenario (Part A)

Corporate social responsibility is a companys economic, legal, ethical and philanthropic responsibility to its stakeholders (Carroll, 1991). According to Kotler and Lee (2005, p. 3), Corporate social responsibility is a commitment to improve community well-being through discretionary business practices and contributions of corporate resources. Companies will adopt CSR practices through a positive relationship between companies, CSR initiatives and their consumers attitude towards the brand and its products.

Launching new sustainable products in the market involves careful planning and execution to ensure a successful launch and positive customer reception. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a vital aspect to consider during this process, as it focuses on the ethical, social, and environmental impact of your product and its launch.

As a junior Project development manager, your responsibility is to Start a Socially Responsible Business through a project management plan by launching a sustainable product which maximises shareholder value, acts in a manner that benefits society, and attracts investors and consumers who seek investments that are profitable and contribute to the welfare of society and the environment.

You will undertake independent research and investigation to execute a business project plan (PMP) that meets appropriate business aims and objectives.

*Your Project Plan is Start a Socially Responsible Business

Project activity and guidance

To conduct your project successfully to produce your business case,Start a Socially Responsible Business,you will need to take the following steps:

Step 1 Project planning

Devise a project management plan to map out how you intend to meet the project objectives:

?Begin with thescope. What activities and tasks, as defined in your project, must be done to make the project a success?

?Note themilestonesor significant events orphasesin your project.

?Provide details of activities to be carried outin the initiation, planning and executionof the project.

?Create aWork breakdownstructure using aGantt chart to track the activities undertaken(the Project Logbook Template is attached).

Step 2 Conduct primary or secondary research.

?Devise ashort questionnaire/ or interview questionsabout how to run a socially responsible business.

?Research the value and benefits of addressing project activities.

?Focus on areas of good practice to build and support your business case.

Step 3 Present Findings (presentation)

?Collate your research and analyse your findings.

?Produce and present the business case, including evaluating tools for gathering research and data to justify your recommendations for implementing a sustainable business.

Step 4 Reflective Practice

?Complete a performance review with your line manager to critically reflect upon the project plan, process and outcomes in terms of your own personal and professional development. Think about how well you have performed and achieved your project objectives; what obstacles did you have to overcome? What worked well or not well? What have you learned from completing this project?

Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criterion

Pass

Merit

Distinction

LO1 Explain the critical stages of the project lifecycle that should be considered when project managing

D1Critically evaluate the project-management process, PMP and research methods for gathering information and data collection.

P1Explain the stages of the project lifecycle (PLC) and their importance to the success of a project.

P2Examine the factors to be considered when compiling a project management plan (PMP).

P3Examine various research methods and strategies and their importance to project management.

M1Evaluate the stages of the PLC and the factors (deliverables, quality, risk, communication and resources) to be considered in a PMP.

M2Evaluate various research methods and strategies for gathering information and collecting data.

LO2 Produce a Project Management Plan (PMP) for a business project using primary and secondary research methods

D2Justify the choices made in the PMP design for completing the project aims and objectives.

P4Produce a PMP that covers aim, objectives, deliverables, quality, risk, communication resources and research methods.

P5Produce a work breakdown structure and a schedule to provide timeframes and stages for completion.

M3Produce a detailed PMP and schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project.

LO3 Implement the Project Management Plan (PMP) to communicate results from the research and make conclusions from the evidence of findings

LO3 and LO4

D3Critically reflect on the findings from the research and the project management process in supporting stated objectives and own learning.

P6Conduct a business project as stated within the PMP and communicate findings.

P7: Present data to draw valid and meaningful conclusions and recommendations from data analysis.

M4:Justify conclusions and recommendations from data analysis and findings to meet the project objectives.

LO4 Reflect on the value gained from implementing the project and the project management process.

P8Reflect on the value of undertaking the business project to meet stated objectives and own learning and performance.

M5Evaluate the project management process to meet stated objectives and support own learning and performance.

Type of Resource

Resource Titles

Links

Online resources

Corporate Responsibility: Frequently asked questions

https://www.oecd.org/corporate/

Online article

Corporate Responsibility: Factsheet

https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/strategy/corporate-responsibility/factsheet

Online guidelines

Corporate governance: new reporting regulations

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/corporate-governance-new-reporting-regulations

Online article

Introduction to Ethical Organisations and Leadership

https://www.businessballs.com/organisational-culture/corporate-responsibility-and-ethics/

Type of Resource

Resource Titles

Links

Online Resources

What is Project Management?

What is projectmanagement? | APM

Online Resources

Project Management links:

?Start Here

?Scheduling

?Scope Management

What Is ProjectManagement? - ManagingComplex Tasks and People(mindtools.com)

Online article

Demystifying the 5 phases of project management

Demystifying the 5 Phases ofProject Management |Smartsheet

Online Resources

A range of project management resources available in the resource library on HN Global

https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/subjects/business/resource-library

Additional materials

Maylor, H. (2017) Project Management. 4th ed. Harlow: Pearson

Pearson-set Report 20172018: https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/sites/default/files/Pearson-set-Report-2018-2019- final.pdf

Training Video for the RQF BTEC Higher Nationals Pearson-set Assignments: https://youtu.be/FkQi_l78_tw

Name:

Week No:

Date:

Project title:

Update on weekly research/tasks achieved Points to consider:

What have you completed?

Did you fulfil task requirements?

Are you on track and within deadlines set?

Did you need to make any changes to your project management plan? Any other comments

Any risks and/or issues identified? Points to consider:

Did you identify risks/issues with a lack of skills required for undertaking research/tasks?

Did you identify any additional risks/issues that have an impact on the project management plan?

Any other comments

Problems encountered Points to consider:

What barriers did you face?

How did you overcome them? Any other comments

New ideas and change of project direction:

What have I learnt about myself this week? Points to consider:

How did I feel when I had to deal with tasks/problems? Did I find it useful to complete the tasks?

How well have I performed? What did I contribute? What can I improve on next week?

How might this learning apply in the future?

Any other comments

Tasks planned for next week Points to consider:

Which tasks are priority?

Have you set aside sufficient time for completion? Any other comments

Project plan status to date: (on, ahead, behind)

Comments and signature of the Tutor