Project development and management

Abstract

Abstract provided by author:

Since its inception, the project has not been formally evaluated in order to gauge its performance. This thesis is an attempt to evaluate it to determine its efficiency, effectiveness, appropriateness and responsiveness to the community which is expected to benefit from it. Information for the project was obtained using the triangulation method consisting of open group discussions, non structured interviews and documentary search

The research found that the project is, up to now, being implemented according to plan. So far, one hundred and twenty (120) housing units have been constructed and allocated to the community that is expected to benefit from the project. The project's finances are centralised in the office of the town's treasurer. The Chief Executive Officer of the municipality is in charge of the project and writes periodic reports to appraise the two municipalities on the performance of the scheme. However, the community has indicated that it is not satisfied with the houses. It has since convinced the municipality to effect changes and the latter is busy designing new types of houses. This clearly indicates that the benefiting community is allowed to participate and contribute to the well being of the project. This is good as it leads to collaborative decision making (between council and the community) and responsiveness

Although the study concludes that the project is being implemented appropriately, it indicates that there are several loopholes, such as lack of written operational guidelines and prioritising beneficiaries. These shortcomings may be exploited by implementing agents for their own individual benefits. To this end; the study recommends that a strict project approach be used to run the Mapange Housing Project. This approach would make it difficult for any implementing agent to deviate from the expected standards thereby ensuring continued efficiency, effectiveness and equity