Influence of automation of building plans approval process on performance of employees at the planning department of kisumu city-kenya

Abstract

This research project sought to establish the influence of automation of building plans approval process on performance of the planning department of the City of Kisumu, in line with the dynamic and techno savvy neo world. With the recent automation of the system, there is still little impact on building plans approval process. The study therefore, sought to identify measures for improvement of operational efficiency through automation, and management support at all levels in the organization and to embrace the modern and progressive performance index as anchored in the Rapid Results Initiative propounded by the Kenya national government. The study was guided by the following objectives: To examine the influence of tools and resources availability on the performance of the department of planning of Kisumu City, To determine the influence of system integration on the performance of the department of planning of Kisumu City, To examine the influence of real time feedback mechanisms on the performance of the department planning of Kisumu City. The study was anchored on the innovation adoption theory. It was also built on computer automation and validation adoption process theory. The target population of the staff at the department was fifteen. The study adopted descriptive survey methodology approach. Data collection was done through questionnaires while data analysis was done through frequencies, percentages, chi-square and p-value significance test. The validity of the study was achieved through expert review while reliability was done through test and re-test. The results were presented through tables and narratives. There were significant relationships between access to a computer by staff to carry out daily activities p=0.0011˂0.05, working condition of the computer p=0.041˂0.05 and tools and resource availability p = 0.000 ˂0.05 and performance of department of planning of Kisumu. There was also significant relationship between information reliability and detail p=0.043˂0.05, system integration p = 0.014 ˂0.05 and the performance of the department of planning of Kisumu city. Similarly, significant relationships were noted between availability of online platform p=0.036˂0.05, data security and accuracy p=0.027˂0.05, real time feedback mechanisms p = 0.039˂0.05. In the first objective, the researcher concluded that access to computer by staff is important in enhancing the performance of the planning department. In the second objective, the researcher concluded that most developers, architects and clients still preferred visiting the department physically to check on the progress of their building plans. In the third and last objective, the researcher concluded that the availability of an online platform would be important in influencing the performance of the planning department. The researcher recommended: Strengthening of capacities and skills of the skilled employees to enable them use the tools and resources effectively, Strengthening of the security features of the automated system , Wider publicity and sensitization among developers, architects and clients to access real time information as opposed to physically visiting the planning department offices, Strengthening of system integration to enhance effectiveness and efficiency of the department of planning of Kisumu City and, Enhancement of co-ordination between the planning department with other departments in the county government.