Effects of monitoring and evaluation practices on project implementation in Acted Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of monitoring and evaluation practices on project implementation in ACTED Kenya organization. The study was guided by the following research objectives; to determine the effects of M&E design and planning on project implementation, to examine the extent to which capacity building and information dissemination affects project implementation and to assess the effects of M&E budgeting on project implementation in ACTED Kenya. The target population of this study were all the employees (125 respondents) of ACTED Kenya in Nairobi County. A descriptive research design was used in the study. Stratified random sampling determined the population sample that was involved in the study. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire. The collected data was cleaned, edited and coded to ensure good quality of the data. Coding of the data was done according to different variables and descriptive statistics such as frequencies, mode, mean, percentages and standard deviations was used for ease of interpretation. Tables, figures and charts were used to analyse and interpret the data. The data was then analysed using descriptive statistics and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used to analyse the report. This study was expected to be of significance to the NGO managers and other stakeholders in various sectors to understand those roles of M&E practices that shape NGOs businesses and ensure successful project implementation hence improve the performance of the organization. The study may have also enabled NGOs’ top executive and management staff have access to appropriate tools for making enduring decisions and consequently enhance competitive postures and abilities of their NGOs. This study has further contributed to the existing body of knowledge; scholars will learn more about the role of monitoring and evaluation practices in ensuring successful project implementation. The study findings implied that M&E practices (Design and planning, capacity building and budgeting) affects project implementation in ACTED Kenya. 77% of the respondents agreed that ACTED Kenya organization always implements planning strategies on time and 44% of the respondents rated the effect as high. 74% of the respondents agreed that the organization’s employees are conversant with their core duties and 32% of the respondents rated capacity building on project implementation as effective. 82% of the respondents indicated that ACTED Kenya had a good budget for M&E activities and 57% of the respondents agreed that it affects to a large extent. The study recommended that M&E design & planning practice should be adopted in the organization for it is deemed as an evaluation progress which is good for management practice. Also M&E capacity building should be adhered to as an indicator of project implementation for it is a great determinant in an organization’s successful project implementation process. Lastly, M&E budgeting should be adhered to in organizations for it ensures timely provision of funds with quality performance that has led to successful project implementation process.