Assignment Brief by Shan Wikoon

Qualification Unit Code

Pearson BTEC Level 5 HND in Business D/508/0491

Unit Number and Title Unit Level (type)

Unit 6: Managing a Successful Business Project 4 (Core)

Assessor Verifier Credit Value

15

Date Issued Formative Feedback Deadline Final Deadline

Assessment

Scenario:
You are a student of ABI College who study for HND Business Diploma. You are required
to submit a comprehensive research paper (amounting to 20 credits and 7,000 - 10,000
words) as a part of your examination process. You are planning to conduct an extensive
research on the following topic. However, formulating a good hypothesis under such
topic seems harder than you think.

Implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities within

organisations to meet sustainable objectives.

Gaining the knowledge and skills on business research, gaining knowledge in your
chosen topic, delivering a professional research paper within a limited time period is a
not only challenging but overwhelming task for you. The only way to win this challenge is
managing the project in a professional manner.

Task 1
Produce a comprehensive project management plan for your research project for
monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project, covering the following.
(M1)

1.1 Devise project aims and objectives for the above scenario. (P1)
1.2 Produce a project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, documentation, risk and resources. (P2)
1.3 Produce a work breakdown structure, a Gantt Chart to provide timeframes and
stages for completion along with a milestone schedule. (Each milestone should be a
clear, achievable activity that the student aims to achieve by a particular time. Students

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should agree at least two milestones with their tutor. Examples of milestones include:
producing a first draft of findings completing all primary research) (P3)
1.4 Critically evaluate the project management process. (D1)

Evidence required for Task 1: a comprehensive project management plan

Task 2
You are thinking of carrying out a preliminary study to understand the concept of
Corporate Social Responsibility and how and what aspects of that concept are actually
implemented by the corporate chain stores and other local businesses in your locality.
You doubt the gap between propaganda of the corporations and the reality. You also
would like to understand the theory that underpins formal research and want to become
more confident using research techniques and methods.

2.1 Carry out small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitative research
methods as a preliminary step of your project. You are required to record your weekly
activities and achievements on the Project Logbook Template, provided below. Your
weekly log should be presented to your tutor for supervision on weekly basis. (P4)

Project Logbook Template

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

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 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

2.2 Critically evaluate the accuracy and reliability of different research methods applied
in another brief report. (M2, D1)

Evidence required for Task 2:

The project log book: This is the collection of your all weekly logs covering total

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 time period from the handout date to the submission date. If you would be
unable to complete any task during any particular week due to an illness or any
other reason, you should still produce the weekly log mentioning such reason.
A brief report for Task 2.2

Task 3
Prepare a professional business report to present the results of your preliminary study.

3.1 Analyse research and data using appropriate tools and techniques. (P5)
3.2 Evaluate the selection of appropriate tools and techniques for accuracy and
authenticity to support and justify recommendations. (M3)
3.3 Communicate appropriate recommendations as a result of research and data
analysis to draw valid and meaningful conclusions. (P6)

Evidence required for Task 3: a professional business report

Task 4
Produce a performance review, covering the following.
4.1 Reflect on the value of undertaking the preliminary research to meet stated
objectives and own learning and performance. (P7)
4.2 Evaluate the value of the project management process and use of quality research to
meet stated objectives and support own learning and performance. (M4)
4.3 Critically evaluate and reflect on the success of your project and your own
performance in a personal performance review at the end of the project. This is a written
reflection of around 500 words. (students will not be penalised if they exceed this word
limit). You may use the following template to for your personal performance review. (D2)

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Evidence required for Task 4: a performance review

Recommended Resources

COSTLEY, C., ELLIOT, G. and GIBBS, P. (2010) Doing Work Based Research: Approaches
to Enquiry for Insider-researchers. London: SAGE.
FLICK, U. (2011) Introducing Research Methodology: A Beginners Guide to Doing a
Research Project. London: SAGE.
GRAY, D. (2009) Doing Research in the Real World. 2nd Ed. London: SAGE.
SAUNDERS, M., LEWIS, P. and THORNHILL, A. (2012) Research Methods for Business
Students. 6th Ed. Harlow: Pearson.
International Journal of Quantitative and Qualitative Research.
Qualitative Research Journal.

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Assessment criteria

Each unit will be graded as a Pass, Merit or Distinction. A pass is awarded for the
achievement of all outcomes against the specified assessment criteria. Merit and
Distinction grades are awarded for higher-level achievement.

The Learning outcomes and the assessment criteria used to assess are shown below: A
pass grade is achieved by meeting all the required defined in the assessment criteria
for a pass for each unit.

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About the tutor...

Shan is an experienced HND tutor and assessor who works in London, UK. He has a Degree of
Master of Laws in Law of International Trade - University of Wales, a Diploma in Business
Administration, a Degree of Bachelor of Law and a Diploma in Computing. If your institution is in
London and seeking reliable tutors, please contact Shan on

shanwikoon@gmail.com

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