RESOURCE SCHEDULING AND PROJECT PERFORMANCE OF INTERNATIONAL NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA
Obegi Dismus Obuba - Master of Business Administration (Project Management), Kenyatta University, Kenya
Gladys J. Kimutai - Lecturer, Management Science Department, School of Business, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Due to project management requirements for tight end-date-drive schedules it is imperative that resource scheduling takes centre stage to ensure high project performance. Resource scheduling would ensure constraints associated with time and resources are identified as a step towards better resource control. The purpose of this study was to assess resource scheduling and project performance of international not-for-profit organizations in Nairobi County, Kenya. The specific objectives were: To determine how budgeting influences project performance of International Not-For-Profit Organizations in Nairobi County; To identify how staffing influences project performance of International Not-For-Profit Organizations in Nairobi County; To interrogate how project changes influence project performance of International Not-For-Profit Organizations in Nairobi County and; To determine how project equipping influences project performance of International Not-For-Profit Organizations in Nairobi County. The target population for the research was 187 INGOs operating from Nairobi County. Using simple random sampling the study sampled 50% of the INGOs operating from Nairobi County, giving a total of 94 INGOs covered by the study. Questionnaires were administered to 94 Project Managers from each of the INGOs that were sampled. Archival information was also collected from project performance reports. The researcher used face validity to determine whether the questionnaire was logical and accurately measured the study variables. The researcher sought the opinion of experts including the supervisor and peers in counter checking the validity of the questionnaire. In ensuring reliability, data collection instruments were pilot tested with a sample size of 5 INGOs representing 5% of the total number of INGOs that were included in the study. The results of the pilot test were calculated using Cronbach alpha with alpha coefficient ranges in value from 0 to 1. In data analysis, the study employed descriptive statistics to describe the characteristics of each variable. Using linear regression model and analysis of variance, the research determined the relationship between the four independent variables and the dependent variable. The research utilized data presentation methods of tables and figures. The major findings of the research included: There exists periodic budget monitoring to measure expenditures against budget; Project staff complete their assignments as allocated; A number of project changes are made during implementation; Project equipment is assigned to staff for use during project implementation; The organization measures its project performance periodically and; There exists a supporting learning environment in the organization. Conclusions from the study were: Majority of the INGOs covered in the study had periodic budget monitoring to measure expenditures against budget; Most of the INGOs that responded in the study project had project staff completing their assignments as allocated; Most INGOs in the study assigned project equipment to staff for use during project implementation. Most INGOs that responded to the study undertook a number of project changes during implementation. The study recommended that INGOs should continue with good practices of ensuring resources are allocated to projects from inception until closure. Such good practices could be learning avenues that other sectors of society can adopt. INGOs should also continue placing importance on their staff, with periodic appraisals and allocation of equipment for successful implementation of projects. Further research could be done on how organizations measure their performance in project management and on identifying other factors that account for the remaining 48.7% contribution to project performance of INGOs in Nairobi County.
