Monitoring and evaluation process on performance of private residential building projects in Nairobi County Kenya

Abstract

The topic, study objectives, based on what theory, research methodology, target population, what was the sample and sampling process, data collection instruments, data analysis tools, findings, conclusion and recommendations. The overall objective of this study was to establish the influence of Monitoring and Evaluation Processes on performance of private building projects in Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were: To determine the effect of monitoring and evaluation planning on performance of private building projects, to examine the effect of stakeholders’ engagement on performance of private building projects, to assess the effect of capacity building on performance of private building projects and to establish the effect of utilization of M&E results on performance of private building projects in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study was anchored in the Theory of Change and the Dynamic Capabilities Theory both of which were relevant with the study. A descriptive study design was adopted for the study. The sample size of the study consisted 526 respondents from construction firms, architectural firms’, quantity surveying firms and engineering consulting firms operating in Nairobi County. Data was collected by use of questionnaires that were administered to the respondents. The reliability coefficients for research instrument were above the threshold of 0.70. Data was analyzed both qualitatively and by use of inferential statistics. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented through percentages, means and frequencies. Inferential statistics analyses included the use of Correlation and regression analysis. The study found that there was a positive association between Monitoring and evaluation processes and performance of private building projects. The study established that there was a significant correlation between utilization of M&E Results and performance of construction companies with a P-Value of 0.000<0.05, there was a significant correlation between M & E Planning and Performance of Construction Projects with a P-Value of 0.000<0.05, there was a positive relationship between Stakeholder Engagement and Performance of Construction Projects with a P-Value of 0.000<0.05 and capacity building was a significant positive predictor of performance of construction projects with a P-Value of 0.000<0.05. The study concluded that M&E is vital in all phases of the project cycle and that if a construction project's M&E is properly carried out, it will give the management an accurate data (information) of the project progress and allow the management to identify the variation of the projects from the project management plan. The study finally concluded that M&E also aids in improving project management performance as they concentrate on enlisting all stakeholders through an informed monitoring and evaluation system, resulting in synergy and excellent output in the development of construction projects. Based on the findings that M&E planning has the highest correlation with project performance, it is here by recommended that a well thought out M&E plan needs to be in place and be fully implemented if project performance is to enhanced. From the findings, it shows that stakeholders’ engagement requires enhancement of relationships between parties, fostering and maintaining project support, collecting data for the organization, lowering the risk of conflict or other construction issues, and improving the organization's image which will result to enhance construction projects performance. This study therefore recommends that stakeholders’ engagement, is a must for M&E. The findings depicted that capacity building significantly influenced the level of performance of construction projects. This study recommends that to enhance capacity building requires the firms in the construction industry to have formal training to stakeholders which will improve client acceptance, create timely delivery, improve cost effectiveness and improve the organizations acceptance which will result to improvement in project performance. The findings depicted that utilization of M&E xiii results significantly influenced the level of performance of construction projects. The study recommends that the firms in the construction industry should M&E results which will help to obtain accurate data on the project progress. On suggestions of further areas of study, a similar study on the variables of the current study can be conducted in other organizations operating in Kenya for comparison purposes. Lastly, a similar study can be carried out to investigate effect of a moderating or mediating variable on the relationship between monitoring and evaluation and performance of construction projects.