Abstract:
Baseline surveys play a very critical role in the implementation of projects especially donor funded projects in Kenya. Baseline information provides the indicators used to measure and assess project results. However, a number of factors influence effective baseline surveys for donor funded projects. It is upon this premise that this study assessed the determinants of effective baseline survey for donor funded slum upgrading projects in Nakuru County. The study adopted a descriptive research design, qualitative and quantitative approaches. Additionally, the study targeted 320 participants from three donor funded projects in water, health and sanitation and livelihoods. The target population was comprised of project managers, project officers, stakeholders and beneficiaries. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample size of 76 participants who were administered with a semi-structured questionnaire for data collection. The collected data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. From the study findings, the study established that it is important to carry out stakeholder analysis to assess their influence in baseline surveys (mean=4.143), lack of stakeholder participation at onset of projects leads to adoption of unclear indicators (mean= 3.857), quality of project management team, skills and project organization affects baseline survey (mean=3.971), project teams should possess required technical expertise and skills in baseline surveys (mean= 4.514), baseline survey success is judged by efficiency with which objectives are met within set timelines and budget (mean= 3.971) and that scope and work definition is important in designing effective baseline surveys (mean= 3.943). The study established a strong and significant correlation between stakeholder participation, project team competency, project, project scope and effective baseline survey (r= 0.743, 0.726, 0.698 and 0.685). Further, the study concluded that it is imperative that project baseline surveys ensure transparency and accountability to all stakeholders, the management has a role in meeting stakeholder expectations, effective baseline surveys greatly depend on the human resource capacity, baseline survey funding plays a critical role on their success or failure and scope and work definition are important in designing effective baseline surveys. As a result, the study recommends that transparency and accountability of all baseline survey activities should be maintained by all stakeholders, there should be human resource capacity building to enhance technical expertise and skills development, baseline surveys should be conducted within set timelines and budget, organizations should ensure there is adequate funding because it determines their success or failure and stakeholders should have their sets of indicators for measuring baseline performance.
