FACTORS INFLUENCING PERFORMANCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE PROJECTS: A CASE OF SELECTED PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED IN EASTERN AFRICA

Abstract

This research focuses on the factors influencing performance of climate change projects considering 40 climate change projects been implemented in eight countries in Eastern Africa covering Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Djibouti, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan and Burundi. The objectives of the research was to assess the stakeholder perception and awareness on climate change, to establish the extent of performance of monitoring and evaluation of climate change projects, determine the influence of cost on performance of climate change resilient projects in Eastern Africa, determine how time allocated to climate change projects influence the performance of climate resilient and project completion and establish the level of transparency in procurement on the performance of climate change projects under study in Eastern Africa. Various literatures were access to show the factors influencing performance of climate change projects in Eastern Africa. A combination of suitable qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and techniques were used. A total of 40 completed projects were reviewed from total of 200 project staff and stakeholders selecting a sample of 133 using Slovin‟s Formula. Findings of the factors influencing performance of climate change projects suggest that, project planning management and communication were not satisfactorily carried out and when evaluated from ten project management body of knowledge was found not to be satisfactory; especially, time management, communication management, risk management, quality planning and monitoring and evaluation were not well taken into consideration. Moreover, use of project management tools during project planning were limited to WBS and Logical framework approach, the rest were not sufficiently utilized as it ought to be. This paper recommends that organizations and project managers equip their employees with project management knowledge and the PMBOK application techniques through trainings and web based seminars so as to improve the performance of climate change projects identified in the knowledge areas. However, installing a workable system around the leaderships to prioritize weak knowledge areas and reinforce the tools to be used by climate change project managers is highly recommended.