Antecedents of Project Success in Constituency Development Fund Construction Projects in Kenya

Abstract

Project management aims at ensuring effective use of resources and eventual delivery of project objectives on time and within cost and quality constraints planned for. The success of any project depends on how effectively the project management cycle is managed form start to end.The Kenya government adapted the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) model as a strategy for implementing and managing devolution of resources. The main objective of this study was to examine the extent to which the discipline of adhering to project cycle phase activities is followed and assess their influence on CDF construction projects in Kenya. Specifically, the study aim was to: examine the influence of project identification and initiation, planning, implementation, monitoring and control, and closure processes on CDF construction projects in Kenya. The objectives were pegged to related theories: theory of constraints, stakeholder theory, program theory, project scheduling theory and open systems theory. The target population in this study comprised of 2,300 CDF staff, 1,610 CDF committee members, 3,450 public immediate to the project and 2,760 project consultants. The sample size was 381 respondents chosen randomly and others purposively. The counties were randomly selected to represent regional boundaries and a minimum of three constituencies were randomly picked from each county. CDF construction projects were taken as the unit of analysis and the unit of observation was the project team consisting of CDF staff and CDF committee members. Purposive sampling was used when getting information from the experts. The research instruments were validated by use of a pilot study, which was assessed by the supervisor. This study used primary data, which was collected by use of semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interview guides. Secondary data were obtained from reports available at government ministries and regulating bodies and published information. The study employed descriptive research design. Data collected was analyzed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 22) computer package. Regression models were used to examine the strength and direction of influence of the independent variables on the dependent variable. Data was presented in tables, figures and charts. The study found that project identification and initiation activities, planning, execution, project monitoring and control and project closure activities explained 67.8% of the variations in the success of CDF construction projects in Kenya. The study found out that individually variables contributed to different extents: identification process 43.4%, planning 48%, execution 40%, monitoring 46% and closure activities contributed 39% to the success of CDF construction projects. The study concludes that all variables examined have significant positive influence on the success of CDF construction projects in Kenya. The study also found that project environment moderates positively and significantly the relationship between identification and initiation, planning activities, execution activities monitoring and control, project closure activities and the success of CDF construction projects in Kenya. The results of the study will benefit the government, policy makers, donors, researchers, and stakeholders in addition to adding knowledge on project management. The study recommends training of CDF staff on project risk management and use of external consultants’ expertise for feasibility study