Effects of Project Management Practices on Performance of Community Development Projects in Bungoma County, Kenya

This study investigates the effect of project management practices on performance of community development projects in Bungoma County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effects of project planning, monitoring and evaluation, communication and stakeholder participation on performance of community development projects in Bungoma County. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was the one hundred and sixty (160) ongoing community development projects in Bungoma County initiated since 2015. Using stratified, the study sampled forty (48) community development projects in the County across the different sectors. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data from the population and secondary data was collected from existing reports from government, development partners, donor agencies and other related studies. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyse data, while regression analysis was used to establish the effect of the independent variables on the dependent variable of the study. The study findings established that project planning, monitoring and evaluation, communication and stakeholder’s participation had a positive and significant influence on performance of community development projects which is indicated by improved desired outcome, greater accountability, enhanced control and improved collaboration with reduced resistance. The study recommends that project managers should ensure that project management practices are effectively employed and integrated in the entire project life cycle. The study further recommends that project managers ensure that project activities are clearly outlined and relayed, projects are adequately financed, and enough and right human resources provided to ensure successful implementation, sustainability and beneficiary satisfaction.