dc.description.abstract | In order for optimal project performance to be attained, adopted projects need to apply
appropriate techniques, knowledge, tools and skills so as to ensure that the projects
actually strive to fulfill desired mandate hence become successful. In order to
effectively manage projects, a five sequential processes ought to be followed that
entails; initiation; planning; execution; controlling and lastly project closure. The
purpose of the study was to examine the factors influencing performance of
development projects funded by DFID; a study of Somaliland Development Fund
(SDF).The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to determine the
influence of technical expertise on the performance of Somaliland Development Fund
Projects (SDFP), to examine the influence of political instability on the performance
of Somaliland Development Fund Projects, to establish the influence of stakeholders
involvement on the performance of Somaliland Development Fund Projects and to
determine the influence of management expertise on the performance of Somaliland
Development Fund Projects.The study used two theories; resource based view and the
stakeholder theory. The study adopted descriptive research design. The target
population comprised of managers, government officials and employees involved in
the implementation of the SDFP, community members were also targeted. This study
adopted a probabilistic sampling technique whereby stratified random technique was
used to select sample size of 63 respondents from the target population. The primary
data was collected using structured questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted to test
the reliability and validity of the research instrument. The study computed
percentages, means and frequencies that helped in analysis of the collected data. In
addition, frequency tables and percentages were used to appropriately present the
results of analysis and a multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the
factors that affect performance of SDFP. The study found out that technical skills
enables managers to develop plans on costs and expenditure needed to achieve the
project goals, create work plan from inception to the completion of the project as well
attract the required qualified personnel to work on the intervention activities, majority
of the respondents indicated to a great extent that performance of Somaliland
Development Fund (SDF) is affected by political instability. The appetite for political
interference by political elites, especially in procurement related activities may greatly
affect the performance of the projects, stakeholders are important to the
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the donor activities and the
responsibility of top management characterised by their expertise to ensure good and
effective management of the implementation phase of activities. The study concludes
that there was positive effect of technical expertise on the overall performance of the
SDF projects, participatory engagement of stakeholders and managing of political
interests fosters contribution of all experts and political elites involved in project
implementation and good coordination leads to greater project efficiency that has
positive link to project performance. The study recommends for a combination of
multiple factors to ensure successful performance of development projects. It is a
combination of staff technical expertise, stakeholders’ engagement, management of
political interference through well-organized strategic management team. | en_US |