Project Management Practices and Performance of Water Projects in Nairobi County

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between project management practices and performance of water projects in Nairobi County. “The study’s objectives were: to establish the extent to which financial resources in project management practices influence water project implementation in Nairobi County, to determine how water policies in project management practices influence water and sanitation project implementation in Nairobi County, to determine how stakeholder participation in project management practices influences the implementation of water and sanitation projects in Nairobi County and to determine how monitoring and evaluation of project management practices influence the implementation of water and sanitation projects in Nairobi County. The study’s theoretical foundation was built on the stakeholder theory, systems theory and contingency theory. The study adopted a mixed method research design and collected data from all the eight active water projects in Nairobi. The data was collected using a questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 25. The study found out that financial resources such as monitoring material costs, involving procurement teams, adhering to project timelines, and recognizing the significance of technical staff qualifications and labor costs played an important role in the performance of water projects. The study also found that there is positive perception of the Kenyan government's project management policies among respondents, indicating their effectiveness and impact on water project management practices, while also emphasizing the importance of alignment and synergy between government and institutional policies. The study further found out that it is important to involve the right stakeholders, aligning project objectives with beneficiary needs, and actively engaging stakeholders to enhance water project implementation in Nairobi County. The study also found out that there was a commitment to robust project management practices in Nairobi County's water projects, with a focus on effective tools for risk identification, cost control, monitoring, evaluation, and dedicated risk management departments, aligning with established project management principles and emphasizing proactive risk management and efficient cost control. The study concluded that there is clear agreement on the importance of implementing robust systems for monitoring material costs and considering them during project initiation. The study also concluded that Kenyan governments policies related to project management are well established and effective. The study also concluded that stakeholder participation plays a crucial role in influencing the implementation of water and sanitation projects in Nairobi County. Lastly. The study concluded that project management practices have an influence on the performance of water projects in Nairobi. The study recommends that project managers prioritize the identification and active involvement of the right stakeholders throughout the project's lifecycle. The study also recommends the importance of effective project management practices, such as robust systems for monitoring material costs, cost control mechanisms, and adherence to project timelines. The study also recommends that policymakers and institutions should prioritize the review and updating of these policies to align with best practices in project management.