Project Planning and Performance of Housing Construction Projects in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine the contribution of project planning to the performance of housing construction projects. The general objective of this study was designed to examine the influence of project planning on Performance of housing construction projects in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were; to determine how project team planning, project scope planning, project cost planning, project design planning, and moderating effect of project regulatory framework influences the performance of housing construction projects in Kenya. The study was anchored on the following theories: Competency theory, theory of project management, Activity theory, theory of constraints, and public interest theory. This study adopted a descriptive mixed-method research design a utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data. The target population comprised 675 project team members involved in 135 strategic housing construction projects across the Nairobi Metropolitan area, which includes five counties: Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Kiambu, and Murang’a. A sample size of 251 respondents was selected using a combination of probability and non-probability sampling techniques, specifically stratified sampling and purposive sampling. Primary data was collected using semi structured questionnaire and key informant interview guides to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data. The pre-testing of the data collection instruments was done using the Cronbach’s alpha and factor analysis of dimensions reductions to determine the validity and reliability of the tests. The data collected was analyzed and presented using tables. The results on, reliability test, descriptive results, demographic information of respondents, correlation analysis, normality test, heteroskedasticity test, and factor analysis and regression results were established on all the variables of project team planning, scope planning, cost planning, design planning, and the moderating variable of the project regulatory framework. The qualitative data was analyzed by the use of content analysis. Notably, the correlation results revealed that project team Planning has a positive and significant relationship with Performance of Housing construction projects. Project Scope Planning positively correlates with Performance of Housing construction projects. Moreover, results indicate that project Cost planning and design planning positively relates to Performance of Housing construction projects. Project regulatory framework variable was found to moderate positively and significantly with Performance of Performance of Housing construction projects. The conclusion here was that the project stakeholders benefit tremendously when the project team planning, scope planning, cost planning and design planning were taken into account for the efficient performance of Performance of Housing construction projects. This research managerial recommendations emphasized the need for project managers to build a strong and integrated components of the project planning practices to ensure that projects are well performing within the stipulated scope, time and cost. The research recommended policy-makers to identify and address regulatory bottlenecks and inconsistencies that may hinder the performance housing construction projects in Kenya.