PROJECT PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF WATER SERVICE BOARDS IN KENYA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of project portfolio management practices on the performance of water service boards in Kenya. The specific objective was to determine the effect of project evaluation and to establish the moderating effect of portfolio risk management on the relationship between project evaluation and performance of water service boards in Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The population of this study targeted the employees of water boards in Kenya which include coast water service board (CWSB), Rift valley water service board (RVSB), Lake Victoria North (LVNSB), Tana water, TanaAthi water service board, Athi water service board. The unit target constituted Engineers, senior management, middle management, and project team. The study targeted a population of 280 people. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 24.0 was used to process and analyze the collected data. Descriptive and Inferential data analysis were used to analyze the objectives. Multiple regression analysis were also used to test the relationship between project portfolio management practices and organizational performance. Continuous variables were analyzed by Chi-square tests and p-values < 0.05 at 95% confidence level were considered significant. Frequency responses were calculated and results presented in tables, bar graphs and pie charts. The output of this study assists in contributing to improved performance of water service boards using project portfolio management practices.The study found that project selection and prioritization as a project portfolio management practice on the performance of water service boards in Kenya. The study also found that portfolio risk management does moderate the relationships between project evaluation and performance of water service boards in Kenya. The study thus concludes that companies should consider adopting various project prioritization methods. This includes the ranking method, scoring model, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Technique. Also, project prioritization should instead be an on-going process where project scores are reviewed and updated during project development and at designated stage gates.