Project Planning Practices and Performance of Building Construction Projects in International Schools in Nairobi City County, Kenya

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Date
2024-05
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Numerous construction projects within international schools in Nairobi City County, Kenya, are experiencing delays beyond their initial schedules, prompting some companies to strive for timely completion while ensuring the delivery of quality work as stipulated. Stakeholders are actively scrutinizing the efficiency of these building endeavors, particularly focusing on the delivered quality and quantity within predetermined timeframes. Projects at Kenton College Preparatory School, Light Academy Schools, and Premier Academy originally estimated at Kshs. 50M, Kshs. 12M, and Kshs. 30M respectively, underwent cost reviews resulting in revised figures of 70M, 18M, and 42M correspondingly. The escalation in costs, delays in delivery, and subpar quality have been attributed to deficient project planning practices, corruption, government regulations, and stakeholders' involvement. Despite efforts, several projects remain incomplete or fail to meet prescribed standards. Effective project planning techniques are paramount to ensure projects are completed within designated timeframes and meet necessary standards. This study aimed to assess the impact of the project planning practices including human resource planning, financial resource planning, material usage planning, and time management and their impact on the performance of building construction projects in International Schools in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The research was framed within the Resource Based View Theory, Constraint Theory, Stewardship Theory, and Project Management Competency Theory. Thirty-three projects within International Schools in Nairobi City County were sampled, involving 231 participants including project managers, executive committee members, and principals, selected through stratified sampling, following the Yamane formula which yielded 146 respondents. Data collection utilized semi-structured questionnaires, piloted in Kitengela International School with six respondents, ensuring construct and content validity. Reliability validity was confirmed via Cronbach Alpha score exceeding 0.7. Quantitative and qualitative research approaches were employed for data analysis, presented through tables and figures. The study's findings underscored several critical points highlighting the pivotal role of human resource management within construction firms operating in international schools in Nairobi City County. Most of these firms were found to prioritize training programs for their project team members, indicating a proactive approach to skill development and capacity building. The research indicated that project completion generally proceeded without significant obstacles, and the budgeted funds were deemed sufficient for completing the projects hence the need for effective financial planning and resource allocation within the surveyed projects. Further, there is need for proper allocation of material resources which should be effectively utilized an indication of high level of efficiency. The findings also indicated effectiveness of quality and project planning practices including accurate estimation of activity durations, welldeveloped time schedules, and clear project scopes. Human resource planning, time management, material resource planning, and financial resource planning were identified as significant contributors to project performance. Recommendations included implementing comprehensive and continuous training programs for industry human resources, aligning cost estimation with project scope, and establishing time plans consistent with the work breakdown structure.
Description
A Research Project Submitted to the School of Business, Economics and Tourism in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Business Administration (Project Management Option) of Kenyatta University. May 2024 Supervisor Jushua Tumuti
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