The Impact of Project Management Standards and Competencies on Constituency Development Fund Projects in Nairobi

Abstract

Factors that influence the performance of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) projects in Nairobi are important because they have a direct impact on the success rates of the projects. The purpose of this study was to explore and identify the key factors that were required when setting up project guidelines and standards, the competencies of the project leaders, and the criteria for project success in the eight constituencies of Nairobi. Data collection by means of questionnaire was used to gather information from thirty-two CDF staff members in Nairobi. An exploratory factor analysis was the tool used to identify those factors that the respondents perceived as important. Triple constraints were established as key components when setting up project guidelines and standards. Project planning and integration needed to be well defined in the standards. Interpersonal skills were deemed more important than technical skills when identifying the competencies of project leaders. Fiscal resource management, time management, and stakeholder participation were identified as significant measures of project success as recognized by CDF staff respondents. The need was thus identified for reinforcing existing structures upon which CDF projects are implemented to embrace the findings of this study with respect to project management standards, project manager competence and criteria for evaluating project success.