Influence Of Monitoring And Evaluation Tools On Projects Performance Of Building And Construction Projects In Kenyan Public Universities: A Case Of The University Of Nairobi

Abstract

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) techniques helps address the issue of measuring performance and achievement of projects. M&E has become imperative in all university programs and projects. No university pursuing development initiatives would proceed at all without M&E framework in place. This study purposed to find out the influence of M&E tools on project performance of building and construction projects in Kenyan public universities: a case of the University of Nairobi. In this study monitoring and evaluation was defined by its activities: budgetary allocation, baseline surveys, performance reviews, and capacity building while project performance of building and construction was taken to be the extent to which goals were achieved. The study objectives included: to establish how budgetary allocation on monitoring and evaluation influence project performance of building and construction, to determine how baseline surveys influence project performance of building and construction, to establish the influence of performance reviews on project performance of building and construction, and to assess the influence of capacity building in M&E on project performance of building and construction. The study utilized Yamane formula to arrive at a sample size of 98 respondents and purposeful sampling was used to sample 10 respondents from the university administration. This study used primary data collected via a questionnaire and secondary data collected via published reports and other documents. Correlation and multiple regression analysis was also done to show the relationship between the study variables. The study concludes that there are budgets set to carry out M&E among construction projects in the University of Nairobi and that various activities included in M&E budget were scope of major M&E events and functions, key stakeholder informational needs and expectations, and M&E requirements. It was also concluded that baseline survey help in understanding project expectation and that baseline surveys enhances the project performance of building and construction in the University of Nairobi to a large extent. The study concludes that performance reviews enhances the project performance of building and construction in university of Nairobi to a large extent. The study recommends that the relevant government bodies, the NGOs, World Bank and other donors, the contractors and all the bodies handling these projects must have a specific well defined source of financing the M&E exercise. It also recommends that monitoring personnel should be well trained so as to achieve the target of M&E.