Factors Influencing Completion Of Construction Projects: A Case Of Government Offices, Baringo County, Kenya

Abstract

Project completion is a quantitative measure to benchmark an organization’s performance. The purpose of this study was to establish the factors influencing completion of construction projects in Kenya. A case of Government offices, Baringo County. The independent variables were management, funding, stakeholder involvement and procurement process. The specific objectives were to examine how management skills influence completion of construction projects in Government offices, to determine the extent at which funding influences completion of construction projects in Government offices, to determine how stakeholder involvement influence the completion of construction projects in Government offices and to evaluate how procurement processes influence the completion of construction projects in Government offices. Descriptive survey research design was used in the study. The target population included 40 respondents, employees drawn from the department of public works, procurement and the accounting section. Census was used to obtain data from the respondents as the target population was small and manageable. Questionnaires were used in data collection as the research instrument. The pilot study was done by randomly selecting five county government employees to determine the validity of the research instrument. The data obtained through questionnaire was then analyzed, presented and interpreted. Data analysis employed the use of both qualitative and quantitative techniques. According to the findings of the study, it was found that management influenced completion of construction projects in Baringo County as depicted by project management process and competency skills and knowledge employed by the project team. Funding to a very great extent influenced project completion. There is a need for proper budgeting, provision of adequate finances and accessibility of funds. Stakeholder involvement is also an important determinant of project completion affecting the operations of a project directly or indirectly depending on their level of involvement. The study also found out that procurement process influenced completion of construction projects. Supplier evaluation criteria should ensure that quality material and equipment are procured. This should also be started on time since the process is time consuming. As a recommendation, public funds should be released on time, county staff should be educated on the procurement processes, and stakeholders should be educated on their level project involvement. Further similar research should be carried out on construction projects in the private sector and in the other county governments as well.