Effect of project management practices on implementation of National police service housing project

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the influence that project management practices have on the implementation of the National Police Service Housing Project in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to establish the influence of project planning, monitoring, evaluation and stakeholder participation in the implementation of the NPSHP. The government of Kenya has made several attempts at organizational and structural reforms in the police since 2003. This included the improvement of police welfare, enhancing the community policing, improving quick response to crime scenes through increasing of motor vehicles, merging of the two police services, recruitment of the Inspector General of police and his two deputies as well as the establishment of the Independent Police Oversight Authority and the National Police Service Commission among others. These strategies however have fallen short of the expectations. Most government projects fail due to lack of proper management practices and implementation. The project management practices are those fundamental issues inherent in the project, which must be maintained in order for team work to take place in an efficient and effective manner. They require day to day attention and operate through the life of the project. It is interesting to find out whether project managers in the National Police Service are aware of the project management practices and how the factors under their control impact on the outcomes. The study employed explanatory survey research design. The study was anchored on stakeholders and resource based view theory. The population of study involved the organization top managers, project managers, project engineers, consultants, procurement and accountants who were involved in construction projects in the National Police Housing Project. A census of 380 respondents involved in projects from the stakeholders was carried out. The primary data was collected by use of self-administered survey questionnaire. Data analysis was done by use of descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean scores and standard deviation and presented using tables, charts, graphs, frequencies and percentages. It was established that the project implementation by the project managers, consultants and employees of the National Police Service Housing Project were significantly and positively influenced by project management practices which included planning, monitoring, evaluation and stakeholder participation. It was concluded that the project management team embraced proper planning however monitoring, evaluation and stakeholder participation were below expectations. The study recommends that the project management needs to improve monitoring and evaluation which were weak and lead to poor implementation of project deliverables.