Factors Affecting Project Performance In Selected State Departments In Kenya

Abstract

For long-term development projects to flourish and attain required outcomes, different project management methods need to be adopted that are known to lead to optimum project performance. Optimal project performance is a major challenge and most development programmes are implemented with huge budget that leads to difficulties in achieving profitability. The study sought to establish the factors affecting projects performance in selected state departments in the public sector, in Kenya. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: To establish the effect of stakeholder participation on projects performance in selected state departments in the public sector, in Kenya; To assess the effect of staff competency on projects performance in selected state departments in the public sector; To examine the effect of automation of processes on projects performance in selected state departments in the public sector, in Kenya and to find out the effect of project planning on projects performance in selected state departments in the public sector, in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of the study comprised of 43 project managers, project coordinators, project ground supervisors and operating staffs from 43 state departments in Kenya. The sample size of the study was determined using Yamane (1967) formulae which shall be equal to 207 respondents. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select respondents. The study collected primary data using questionnaires. The analysis of the collected data was done using mean, standard deviation and regression analysis. The findings were presented using Tables and Figures. The study established that an increase in stakeholders’ participation would significantly reduce project performance, staff competency has a positive and significant effect on project performance, automation process has no significant effect on projects performance, automation, Project Planning, and stakeholder involvement and staff competence of processes has effects on parameters of performance. The study concluded that that an increase in stakeholders’ participation would significantly reduce project performance, staff competency has a positive and significant effect on project performance, automation process has no significant effect on projects performance, automation, Project Planning, and stakeholder involvement and staff competence of processes has effects on parameters of performance. The study recommended that proper procedures and policies should be formulated to control their involvement on project implementation and every state department should also involve stakeholders’ right from the foundation of the project. Qualified staff should be employed, this can be done by setting up recruitment rules and regulation and ensuring that the employees get constant training on the latest development of the project and technology that is used to increase effectiveness of the employees performance.