PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN KENYA
A CASE STUDY OF MARSABIT COUNTY
Abstract
This study purposed at ascertaining the effect of project management practices on the implementation of development project in Marsabit County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were; to ascertain the influence of project planning on the implementation of development project, to investigate the influence of stakeholder participation evaluation on the implementation of development project, to find out the effect of resource allocation control on the implementation of development project and to establish the effect of leadership monitoring support on the implementation of development project in Marsabit County, Kenya. The research was underpinned on stakeholder theory and theory of planning. The study employed a descriptive survey research approach. The research targets 65 project managers and 235 project team members working at Marsabit County Government. Stratified random sampling technique was utilized to select 90 respondents. Data was obtained through structured questionnaires. The collected data was analyzed with the SPSS version 26. The analyzed data were displayed in frequency tables, charts and graphs. The study findings showed that project planning (β=0.362, P-value = 0.003), stakeholders’ participation (β=0.304, P-value = 0.002), resource allocation control (β=0.297, P-value = 0.002) and leadership monitoring support (β=0.268, P-value = 0.003) had a positive significant relationship toward the implementation of development projects. The study concluded that project management practices are vital in the implementation of development projects. It emphasized the need for skilled project managers, robust planning, stakeholder engagement, and adaptability to navigate the complex and ever-evolving landscape of development projects. The study recommended that there is need for detailed project planning that includes well-defined scopes, objectives, timelines, and resource allocation. The project plans should be adaptable and account for potential changes and uncertainties. The government should allocate resources efficiently and ensure proper budget control to prevent financial overruns. Also, resource utilization should be monitored to optimize cost-effectiveness while maintaining project quality.
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