Effect of Project Management Practices on Project Performance: A Case of Tubura Project in Nyanza District, Rwanda

Abstract

The general objective of this research was to find out the effect of project management practices on performance of Tubura Project in Nyanza District, Rwanda. Specifically the study was guided by the following objectives: finding out the effect of project planning on performance of Tubura Project in Nyanza District, determining the effect of project implementation on performance of Tubura Project in Nyanza District and assessing the effect of project monitoring and evaluation on performance of Tubura Project in Nyanza District. This research was guided by Goal Setting Theory, Theory of Change and Resource Based View Theory.The researcher conducted both descriptive and correlational studies. Descriptive survey research use surveys to collect information on a variety of issues and correlational studies research design examined at the links that exist between variables under the study. The population of this study was 321 people including Tubura Project staff, District staff, Sector staff, Project cell committee and One acre fund employees in Nyanza District. Using Slovin's formula, the researcher estimated how big of a sample was needed to get reliable findings. The researcher relied on document analysis and questionnaire methods to collect data. The researcher more easily displayed the findings in the form of numbers and statistics, giving the reader a more holistic understanding of the findings. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used in the study. The findings presents a summary of a regression model, indicating a very strong positive correlation (R = 0.922) between the predictors (Project monitoring and evaluation, Project planning, Project implementation) and the performance of Tubura Project in Nyanza District. Specifically, for each unit increase in Project planning, the performance of Tubura Project in Nyanza District is expected to increase by 0.318 units (β=0.318, t=5.915, p=0.000). Similarly, project implementation, with a coefficient of 0.293, indicates that an increase in this variable is associated with a 0.293 unit increase in the performance of Tubura Project in Nyanza District (β=0.293, t=5.138, p=0.000). Project monitoring and evaluation, with a coefficient of 0.382, indicates that an increase in this variable is associated with a 0.382 unit increase in the success of Tubura Project in Nyanza District (β=0.382, t=8.061, p=0.000). In this case, this study concluded that project planning, project implementation and, project monitoring and evaluation significantly contribute to predicting the success of Tubura Project in Nyanza District. It was recommended that Tubura Project staff should be integrated Continuous capacity building and training programs into the project implementation strategy to ensure that the team is equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to address evolving challenges and opportunities.