Monitoring and Evaluation Practices and Performance of Construction Projects: A Case of IPRC Gishari Rwamagana District-Rwanda

Abstract

This research aimed at investigating the effect of Monitoring and Evaluation practices and Construction Project Performance of IPRC Gishari Rwamagana District - Rwanda. The author was interested in the study due to many construction project failures and successes in the construction industry both internationally and locally in Rwanda. The study was guided by four specific objectives; to examine the effect of M&E planning on construction project performance of IPRC Gishari Rwamagana District – Rwanda, to assess the effect of M&E staff training on Construction project Performance of IPRC Gishari Rwamagana District – Rwanda, to establish the effect of Baseline Surveys on Construction project Performance of IPRC Gishari Rwamagana District – Rwanda, and to determine the effect of Information System on Construction project Performance of IPRC Gishari Rwamagana District – Rwanda. This study is expected to be relevant to Policymakers and Researchers; by providing knowledge to the private sector, policymakers, and other departments, especially to the construction firms. The study provides guidance to the employees and the supervisory teams on how they can manage projects within their organizations. A descriptive research design was employed including both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The target population was 153 from which a sample size of 111 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling: 102 staff, 6 heads of units, and 3 executive team members. The data collected from the field was analyzed and interpreted using frequency tables and percentages by using SPSS version 20.0. Results of the study indicated that majority of respondents were in agreement to the fact that the construction project of IPRC Gishari was completed within the estimated cost, time and that the beneficiary were satisfied with the outcome of the project. Furthermore, M&E Planning had a statically significant and positive effect on the performance of Construction projects of IPRC Gishari in Rwamagana District-Rwanda with a multiple linear regression coefficient of B1 = .363, with ? = .001<.05 at a 5% level of significance. In addition, M&E Staff Training had a statically significant and positive effect on the performance of Construction projects of IPRC Gishari in Rwamagana District-Rwanda with a coefficient of B2 = .313, with ? = .002<.05 at a 5% level of significance. It was also noted that baseline surveys had no statically significant and negative impact on the performance of Construction projects of IPRC Gishari in Rwamagana District-Rwanda based on coefficient of B3 = -.092, with ? = .386>.05 at a 5% level of significance. However, Information systems were found to have a statically significant and positive effect on the performance of Construction projects of IPRC Gishari in Rwamagana District-Rwanda based on multiple linear regression coefficient of B4 = .254, with ? = .012<.05 at a 5% level of significance.  The study concluded that M&E practices had a positive and statically significant contribution on Construction Project Performance at IPRC Gishari, Rwamagana District-Rwanda. This was explained statically by the Adjusted R Square (.571) which showed that, keeping other factors constant, 57.1% change in the construction project performance of IPRC Gishari could be explained by the effectiveness of M&E Practices. The study recommends that organizations should always engage in M&E practices in all Construction projects because they help to effectively and efficiently manage available resources to achieve project goals such as cost, schedules, and beneficiary satisfaction. Further studies are recommended to cover areas that were not covered by this study and on more projects to have a representative sample of the construction industry.

Keywords: Monitoring, Evaluation, Construction Project, Performance