Unit 6: Managing a Successful Business Project

(Pearson Set)

Unit code D/618/5039

Unit type Core

Unit level 4

Credit value 15

Introduction
This unit is a Pearson-set unit. The project brief will be set by the centre, based on a
theme provided by Pearson (this will change annually). The theme and chosen project
within the theme will enable students to explore and examine a relevant and current
topical aspect of business in the context of the business environment.
The skills of project management are highly sought after by employers in all areas of
business, as the ability to plan, procure and execute a business project efficiently
requires a range of specific skills in leadership, time management, problem solving,
budgeting and communication.
The aim of this unit is to offer students an opportunity to demonstrate the skills
required for managing and implementing a small-scale business project. They will
undertake independent research and investigation for carrying out and executing a
business project that meets appropriate business aims and objectives.
On successful completion of this unit, students will have the confidence to engage in
decision making, problem solving and research activities using project-management
skills. They will have the fundamental knowledge and skills to enable them to
investigate and examine relevant business concepts in a work-related context,
determine appropriate outcomes, decisions or solutions and present evidence to
various stakeholders in an acceptable and understandable format.

*Please refer to the accompanying Pearson-set Assignment Guide and Theme and
Topic Release document on HN Global for further support and guidance on the
delivery of the Pearson-set unit

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Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit a student will be able to:
LO1 Explain the key stages of the project lifecycle that should be considered when
project managing
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 value gained from implementing the project and the
project management process.

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Essential Content

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

Project management:
Defining project management.
The project lifecycle and the stages of the project lifecycle, e.g. initiation,
planning, execution and closure.
The advantages of using project management and why it is important.
Roles in project managing, e.g. assistant project manager, junior project
manager, project team leader and responsibilities to drive through the project
and achieve required outcomes.
Project management skills, including good planning, organising, leadership and
communication skills.
Compare different organisational approaches to project management using
case studies.

Project management plans:

Scoping a project − defining objectives, scope, purpose and deliverables to be
produced.
Developing the project plan, including planning for timescales and time
management, cost, quality, change, risk, stakeholder communication.

Project management tools:

Different types of software and application used to support project
management, e.g. Microsoft Project for tracking, managing and analysing
projects and Asana for holistic project management and integration of workload,
inbox, calendars and tasks.
Use of project-planning tasks and tracking tools, e.g. Trello, Smartsheet and Excel
spreadsheets.
Tools and techniques used to create activity plans, work breakdown structure
(WBS) and Gantt charts for effective planning.

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 Research methods and analysis:
Purpose of research in a project.
Research ethics, reliable research and valid research.
Selecting appropriate sample population and methods for information gathering,
data collection and material resourcing.
Use of secondary research to inform a primary study.

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

Research methods and strategies:

Primary and secondary research and data collection.
Defining qualitative and quantitative methods.
Selecting an appropriate strategy for the research, e.g. questionnaires,
interviews, observation.
Use of monitoring tools, including WBS and Gantt charts.

Field work:
Different strategies that can be used to conduct research, e.g.:
● interviews, questionnaires, experiments
● selecting a sample of the consumer market, businesses or individuals
● sampling approaches and techniques, including probability and non-
probability sampling.
Factors to consider, including:
● aim and objectives
● deliverables
● quality
● risk
● stakeholder communication
● resources.

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

Analysis and evaluation of findings and data gathered:

Digital techniques and tools to analyse and evaluate the secondary and primary
data gathered, e.g. online surveys (SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Zoho Survey)
and spreadsheets (Excel templates).
Techniques for data analysis, e.g. coding, charts and graphs, trend analysis.
Techniques to create pictograms, pie charts, bar charts, frequency curves,
histograms, line graphs, scattergrams.
Use of scatter (XY) graphs and linear trend lines for forecasting (reliability).
Techniques for creating tables to simplify and rationalise the presentation of
data to aid understanding of the information within data.
The benefits of data validity and maintaining objective mindset to provide
objective results.

Communicating results:
Types of communication methods, e.g. written, verbal and the medium, e.g.
different report formats, online, presentation.
Multi-media presentation tools: PowerPoint, Prezi, Google Slides, Microsoft Sway,
Adobe Spark.
Video conferencing e.g. Zoom, Adobe Connect, Google Hangouts, Slack video
calls.

Communicating skills:
Verbal and non-verbal communication skills required to meet audience
requirements, e.g. eye contact, pitch, pace.
Communicating and persuading internal/external stakeholders, e.g. negotiation
and sales skills.
Presentation, behaviour and conduct of presenter, e.g. attire, attitude,
professionalism, suitable for audience, well prepared and organised.
Different communication formats to address different audience needs and
expectations and appropriateness for meeting cultural diversity of an audience.

Convincing arguments:
Presenting logical and convincing findings and outcomes as part of the
project process.
Developing evaluative conclusions.

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

Reflection for learning and practice:

Differences 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.
The cycle of reflection and using reflection to inform future behaviour.

Reflective writing:
Writing to avoid generalisation, focusing on personal development and the
research journey in a critical and objective way.

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Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Pass Merit Distinction

LO1 Explain the key stages of the project lifecycle that
should be considered when project managing
P1 Explain the stages of M1 Evaluate the stages of D1 Critically evaluate the
the project lifecycle (PLC) the PLC and the factors, project-management
and their importance to (deliverables, quality, risk, process, PMP and
the success of a project. communication and research methods for
resources) to be gathering information
P2 Examine the factors
considered in a PMP. and data collection.
to be considered when
compiling a project M2 Evaluate a range of
management plan (PMP). research methods and
strategies for gathering
P3 Examine a range of
information and data
research methods and
collection.
strategies and their
importance to project
management.
LO2 Produce a Project Management Plan (PMP) for a
business project using primary and secondary
research methods
P4 Produce a PMP that M3 Produce a detailed D2 Justify the choices
covers, aim, objectives, PMP, and schedule for made in the design of the
deliverables, quality, risk, monitoring and PMP for completing the
communication completing the aims and aims and objectives of the
resources and research objectives of the project. project.
methods.
P5 Produce a work
breakdown structure and
a schedule to provide
timeframes and stages
for completion.
LO3 Implement the Project Management Plan (PMP)
to communicate results from the research and make
conclusions from the evidence of findings
P6 Conduct a business M4 Justify conclusions and LO3 and LO4
project as stated within recommendations drawn D3 Critically reflect on the
the PMP and from data analysis and findings from the
communicate findings. findings to meet the stated research and the project
project objectives. management process in
P7 Present data to draw
valid and meaningful supporting stated
conclusions and objectives and own
recommendations from learning.
data analysis.

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Pass Merit Distinction
LO4 Reflect on value gained from implementing the
project and the project management process.
P8 Reflect on the value of M5 Evaluate the project
undertaking the business management process to
project to meet stated meet stated objectives and
objectives and own support own learning and
learning and performance.
performance.

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Recommended Resources

Textbooks
DINSMORE, P. and CABANIS-BREWIN, J. (2018). The AMA Handbook of Project
Management. 5th Ed. AMACON.
FLICK, U. (2020) Introducing Research Methodology: A Beginner’s Guide to Doing a
Research Project. 3rd Ed. London: SAGE.
GRAY, D. (2017) Doing Research in the Real World. 4th Ed. London: SAGE.
MAYLOR, H. (2021) Project Management. 5th Ed. Harlow: Pearson.
SAUNDERS, M., LEWIS, P. and THORNHILL, A. (2019) Research Methods for Business
Students. 8th Ed. Harlow: Pearson.

Websites
www.asana.com Asana
Free project-management tools
(General reference)
www.projectmanagement.com Project management
(General reference)
www.projectsmart.co.uk Project Smart
Articles
Tools
Glossary
(General reference)
www.trello.com Trello
Free project-management tools

Links
This unit links to the following related unit:
Unit 19: Research Project

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