Student Name/ID
Number
Unit 6: Managing a Successful Business Project
Unit Number and Title
(Pearson Set)
Academic Year Semester 2, Academic year 2024 - 2025
Unit Tutor Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Bich; Dr. Nguyen Trang Thi Thu;
MSc Nguyen Thi Diem Huong
Assignment Title MSBP1: Project lifecycle and Produce a Project
Management Plan (PMP) (1 of 2)
Issue Date 24th February 2025
Submission Date 6th April 2025
Submission Format
The submission is in the form of an individual written research report. You are
required to make use of headings, paragraphs, and subsections as appropriate. Your
report should be written in a concise, formal business style using 1.5 spacing,
typeface in Times New Roman or Arial and font size 12.
A bibliography should be provided using the Harvard referencing system. Inaccurate
use of referencing may lead to issues of plagiarism if not applied correctly.
You are advised to write between 3000 – 3500 words. The word limit does not include
the contents page, the organization profile, table, diagrams and appendices or
references.
Unit Learning Outcomes
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
Transferable skills and competencies developed
● Appropriate research skills and skills of critical enquiry to enable the evaluation
of different approaches to problem-solving in a specific business context.
● Self-reflection, including self-awareness; the ability to become an effective self-
student and appreciate the value of the self-reflection process.
● The skills to communicate confidently and effectively, orally and in writing, both
internally and externally with businesses and other stakeholders.
● The skills to communicate ideas and arguments in an innovative manner, using a
range of digital media.
● The ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including effective
listening and oral communication skills, as well as the associated ability to
persuade, present, pitch and negotiate.
● Identification of personal and professional goals for continuing professional
development in order to enhance competence to practice in a chosen business
field.
● A range of skills to ensure effective team working, independent initiatives,
organisational competence and problem-solving strategies.
● Reflection of adaptability and flexibility in approach to business; showing
resilience under pressure and meeting challenging targets within given deadlines.
● Emotional intelligence and sensitivity to diversity in relation to people and
cultures.
Vocational scenario
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, becoming a valuable tool for industry
businesses to streamline operations, reduce production costs, and meet company
objectives. It is undeniable that AI has been increasingly applied in various areas,
including marketing, finance, supply chain management, human resources, customer
service, and product development.
Particularly, in marketing and sales, self-service tools powered by artificial
intelligence have emerged as strategic and transformative in marketing and sales due
to the vast and complex nature of data. AI enables customer profiling,
recommendation engines, targeted marketing, and product suggestions grounded in an
in-depth understanding of customers. Many modern companies, like Amazon and
Netflix, utilize recommendation systems that generate suggestions based on user
preferences and behaviors, enhancing customer experience and fostering loyalty
(Marr, 2019)
AI is also employed in human resources (HR) for talent acquisition, management,
retention, and performance evaluation (Mittelstadt [Link], 2016). Currently, the
Internet serves as a platform for sourcing candidates, utilizing AI systems to filter
resumes to align with job descriptions. For instance, LinkedIn leverages artificial
intelligence to connect qualified candidates with job openings based on their skills,
qualifications, and experience, as well as their potential fit within an organization's
culture, thereby enhancing the recruitment process and shortening the hiring
timeline.
Finally, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in an organization’s financial
department enhances efficiency and decision-making across various functions. AI
automates repetitive tasks like data entry and invoice processing, reducing errors
and saving time. Predictive analytics help forecast trends based on historical data,
aiding budgeting and investment decisions. Additionally, AI tools assess risk by
identifying credit issues and detecting fraud through transaction pattern analysis.
However, the implementation of AI in business has sparked considerable debate due
to its potential drawbacks (Angstrom et al, 2023). For example, organizational
challenges mainly arise from the lack of adequately trained employees and the lack of
understanding of AI among managers. AI models and algorithms are inherently
complex and opaque, making it challenging for users to understand and interpret the
outcomes generated by AI systems (Rai, 2020). Additionally, many business managers
lack a deepened understanding of AI, which raises their concerns about the liability
and trustworthiness of AI-generated recommendations, making them hesitant to rely
on AI in their decision-making processes (Angstrom et al, 2023).
To effectively tackle these challenges and capitalize on the opportunities that AI
offers across various functional departments, it is essential to propose a strategic
approach for its application in business.
Role
You are currently employed as an assistant within the strategic development team of
an organization of your choice. You have been asked to conduct a small-scale project,
in the form of an investigative case study, into the applications of AI in business.
The project will involve conducting empirical research to understand how AI is used
in business, particularly its impact on a functional area (e.g., Human resources,
marketing, or financial department), thereby suggesting actions to make AI more
efficient. This will be presented to your line manager as a business case with
proposals for executing the AI implementation, followed by a performance review in
which you will need to reflect upon the project in relation to your own personal and
professional development.
You are required to complete the small-scale research project, based on the
following topic:
The impact of AI on a functional area (e.g., HR, Marketing, Finance) within an
organisation.
Assignment activity and guidance
To conduct your project successfully to produce your business case, you will must
include the following sections:
1. Explain the stages of the project lifecycle (PLC) and their importance to the
success of a project. Give an explanation of the four stages of the PLC and the
importance of each stage of PLC to the success of a project.
2. Examine the factors to be considered when compiling a project management
plan (PMP). You should first list the names of important factors to be considered in
a PMP and then carefully look at the characteristics of each factor or the
contribution of each factor to the success of the project.
3. Examine various research methods and strategies and their importance to
project management. You should identify and explain different types of research
methods and strategies. In addition, analyse the importance of research methods and
strategies to project management.
4. Produce a PMP that covers the aim, objectives, deliverables, quality, risk,
communication resources, and research methods. You should devise a project
management plan to map out how you intend to meet the project objectives, including
project scope, plan to manage time, risk, quality, resource, communication and cost
5. Produce a work breakdown structure and a schedule to provide timeframes
and stages for completion. You should create a work breakdown structure to
manage the project scope as well as the milestones or major events or phases in your
project.
6. Evaluate the stages of the PLC and the factors, (deliverables, quality, risk,
communication and resources) to be considered in a PMP. You should provide
details of activities to be carried out initiation, planning, execution and closing of
the project. In addition, you should analyse the importance of managing factors
(deliverables, quality, risk, communication and resources) to be considered in a PMP.
7. Evaluate a range of research methods and strategies for gathering
information and data collection. You should analyze the strengths and weaknesses
of 3 different research methods and 3 different strategies. Besides, based on the
characteristics of research methods and strategies, you should select the
appropriate one for your project.
8. Produce a detailed PMP, and schedule for monitoring and completing the aims
and objectives of the project. You should give a detailed explanation for your PMP
and schedule for monitoring and completing the aims and objectives of the project.
9 Critically evaluate the project-management process, PMP, and research
methods for gathering information and data collection. You should analyse the
relevance or significance of the project-management process, PMP, and research
methods for gathering information and data collection.
10 Justify the choices made in the design of the PMP for completing the aims
and objectives of the project. You should give evidence to prove you completed the
aims and objectives of the project based on the design of the PMP
Recommended Resources
Please note that the resources listed are examples for you to use as a starting
point in your research – the list is not definitive.
Weblinks:
AI activity in UK businesses: Executive summary (2022) [Link]. Available at:
[Link]
in-uk-businesses-executive-summary (Accessed: 04 September 2024).
Marr, B. (2018). The Key Definitions of Artificial Intelligence (AI) That Explain Its
Importance. Forbes. Available at:
[Link]
artificial-intelligence-ai-that-explain-its-importance/
Broom, D. (2023) AI: These are the biggest risks to businesses and how to manage
them , World Economic Forum. Available at:
[Link]
(Accessed: 04 September 2024).
Generative AI: what is it good for (2023). The Economist. 29 May. Available at:
[Link]
How AI Could Empower Any Business (2022). [Link]. 13 October. Available at:
[Link]
Keegan, B.J., Canhoto, A.I. and Yen, D.A. (2022) ‘Power negotiation on the Tango
Dance Floor: The adoption of AI in B2B marketing’, Industrial Marketing
Management, 100, pp. 36–48. doi:10.1016/[Link].2021.11.001.
Mittelstadt, B. D., Allo, P., Taddeo, M., Wachter, S., & Floridi, L. (2016). The Ethics
of Algorithms: Mapping the Debate. Big Data & Society, 3(2), 2053951716679679.
Rai, A. (2019) ‘Explainable AI: From black box to glass box’, Journal of the Academy
of Marketing Science, 48(1), pp. 137–141. doi:10.1007/s11747-019-00710-5.
Ångström, R.C. et al. (2023) ‘Getting AI Implementation Right: Insights from a Global
Survey’, California Management Review, 66(1), pp. 5–22.
doi:10.1177/00081256231190430.
HN Global
HN Global (2021) Reading Lists. Available at:
[Link]
HN Global (2021) Student Resource Library. Available at:
[Link]
HN Global (2021) Textbooks. Available at:
[Link]
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.
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
Pass Merit Distinction
LO1 Explain the key stages of the project lifecycle that
should be considered when project managing
D1 Critically evaluate the
P1 Explain the stages of M1 Evaluate the stages of
project-management
the project lifecycle (PLC) the PLC and the factors,
process, PMP and
and their importance to (deliverables, quality, risk,
research methods for
the success of a project. communication and
gathering information and
resources) to be considered
data collection.
in a PMP.
P2 Examine the factors to
be considered when
compiling a project M2 Evaluate a range of
management plan (PMP). research methods and
- 1~2 aims/ 2~3 strategies for gathering
objectives information and data
collection.
P3 Examine various
research methods and
strategies and their
importance to project
management.
LO2 Produce a Project Management Plan (PMP) for a
business project using primary and secondary research
methods D2 Justify the choices
made in the design of the
P4 Produce a PMP that M3 Produce a detailed PMP,
PMP to complete the aims
covers aim, objectives, and schedule for monitoring
and objectives of the
deliverables, quality, risk, and completing the aims and
project.
communication resources objectives of the project.
and research methods.
P5 Produce a work
breakdown structure and a
schedule to provide
timeframes and stages for
completion.
