Project Management Skills on Performance of Road Construction Projects in Marsabit County

Abstract

This research investigates the impact of project management skills on the performance of road construction projects in Marsabit County, Kenya, where infrastructure development faces challenges due to harsh climatic conditions, difficult terrain, and resource limitations. Grounded in Project Management Competency Theory, Pareto Principle Theory, and Skill-Based Leadership Theory, the research explores the roles of financial management, technical skills, procurement management, and human resource management in enhancing project outcomes. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting 377 contractors registered with the National Construction Authority (NCA), from which a stratified random sample of 191 respondents was selected. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression. The findings reveal that these project management skills significantly influence the performance of road construction projects, with financial management skills critical for budget adherence, technical skills essential for ensuring quality, procurement management skills vital for resource acquisition and contract management, and human resource management skills key to effective team coordination. The study concludes that enhancing project management competencies is vital for improving road construction outcomes in Marsabit County and provides actionable insights for policymakers, contractors, and development partners involved in infrastructure development. The study recommends targeted training programs to strengthen project management skills among contractors and project managers and suggests the adoption of best practices in procurement and financial management to address the unique challenges in Marsabit County. For future research, the study suggests exploring the role of emerging technologies in project management and their potential impact on the performance of infrastructure projects in similarly challenging environments.