PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN KILIFI COUNTY

This study examined the effect of Project Management practices on the implementation of road construction projects in Kilifi County. The study specific objectives were to examine the influence of risk management and monitoring systems on project implementation. The study was anchored on two theoretical frameworks: Prospect Theory and Systems Theory. A descriptive research design was employed, utilizing a mixed-methods approach to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Structured questionnaires were used to gather quantitative data, while qualitative insights were obtained through key informant interviews with project managers. The target population consisted of 15 road construction projects in Kilifi County with respondents involving 210 professionals involved in the construction project, including project managers, engineers, architects, contractors, quantity surveyors, procurement officers, site supervisors, and administrative staff. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample of 138 respondents to ensure representation across all professional categories. The questionnaire included sections on demographic data, risk management, monitoring systems, and project implementation. Each section contained items measured on a five-point Likert scale. A pilot study involving 14 participants was conducted to test the reliability and validity of the instruments, with revisions made based on expert feedback and the pilot results. The findings revealed that project management practices had a moderate influence on the implementation of the construction project. Risk management demonstrated a strong influence on project implementation. Monitoring systems also showed a strong influence, as they enabled effective progress tracking and early identification of issues. The study concluded that project management practices had a positive impact on the implementation of the construction project, but there was considerable room for improvement. The results emphasized the importance of robust risk management, and strong monitoring mechanisms for real-time tracking of the projects.