Drivers of project portfolio management practices influencing performance of county projects, a case of Isiolo County, Kenya

Abstract

Project portfolio management is becoming established as a tool for prioritizing and managing multiple projects at the enterprise level and organizations are increasingly recognizing that portfolio management can help them make the decisions that was set them apart from their competitors. However, despite the quantifiable benefits of portfolio management, relatively few organizations have perfected the practice. The study established drivers of project portfolio management practices influencing performance of county projects. The study was guided by the following objectives; to establish the effect of communication systems, project evaluation process and management support on the drivers of project portfolio management practices influencing performance of county projects at Isiolo County Government. The study was grounded on the systemic theory. The target population for this study composed County representatives, Community Worker, Project Management team and Chiefs, assistants & area managers in Isiolo County Government. A sample population of 158 was arrived at by calculating the target population of 268. The study selected the respondents using stratified proportionate random sampling technique. Primary data was obtained using administered questionnaires. The questionnaire was made up of both open ended and closed ended questions. The drop and pick method were preferred for questionnaire administration so as to give respondents enough time to give well thought out responses. After data cleaning, which entailed checking for errors in entry, descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score and standard deviation were estimated for all the quantitative variables and information presented inform of tables. The qualitative data from the open-ended questions were analyzed using conceptual content analysis and presented in prose. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relations between the independent and dependent variables. The study found that there is a great influence by information base, communication timing and media types on drivers of project portfolio management practices influencing performance of county projects. It was clear that management support greatly influences performance of county projects. Further the study found that investment evaluation, final product evaluation and corrective actions greatly affect drivers of project portfolio management practices influencing performance of county projects. The study concluded that communication systems had the greatest effect on drivers of project portfolio management practices influencing performance of county projects, followed by management support, while project evaluation process had the least effect on the implementation of project portfolio management practices in Isiolo County. The study recommends that county governments should train staff on drivers of project portfolio management practices in order to enhance the performance of county projects. The study also recommends that that the project managers should provide the necessary resources and facilities for project management without under budgeting.