The Role of Contract Management on Procurements Projects in Public Institutions in Rwanda

The effective management of contracts can greatly influence different aspects of procurement such as inventory levels, the duration of the procurement process, compliance with agreed-upon pricing for goods and services, efficient cost management, and the development of a strong vendor-buyer relationship. Despite this importance, public procurement continues to struggle with subpar contracts and low-quality products and services. This research aims to analyze how contract management impacts the efficiency of public procurement, drawing insights from the experience of the WASAC Rwanda, Muhanga Branch. Design/methodology/approach A descriptive research methodology was utilized to gather data from 148 participants who were selected using purposive and stratified sampling techniques. The respondents were chosen from WASAC Rwanda, a subsidiary of Muhanga, and surveyed using structured questionnaires. The collected data was then analyzed through multiple regression and ANOVA techniques. Findings The data presented established a clear connection between the variables under study. For instance, the data indicated that the monitoring of contracts leads to a decrease in risks within public institutions. Furthermore, the data demonstrated that contract monitoring also results in a reduction of customer complaints related to the products and services offered by organizations. It was also found to be beneficial in the process of planning and in enhancing transparency between the organization and its various stakeholders. Additionally, the data highlighted the significant role of contract review in increasing customer loyalty, decreasing complaints, and stimulating overall business growth. This study suggests that public institutions prioritize the promotion of contract review and monitoring over other aspects of procurement management, such as supplier selection and planning. Implications This research contributes valuable insights to the current body of knowledge regarding contract management in procurement and procurement projects within public institutions.