Abstract: Various construction firms have used project management skills and techniques as a means of bridging the gap between failure and success in implementation of projects. Despite this increased awareness of construction project management skills, by these construction firms, projects still fail. The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of project management skills on performance of construction projects in Tanzania regarding construction firms based within Mwanza. The study targeted selected construction firms within the Mwanza city and especially the ones that deal with the major projects that have high impacts to the country economy currently being undertaken within the city. The study adopted a descripto-explanatory research design covering a target population of 117 staffs working at the construction firms in Mwanza. Questionnaires used in data collection instrument from a simple random sample of 47 respondents. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research in its data analysis. Data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics aided in creating frequency distributions and determining variable significance while inferential statistics was used to establish the relationships between the variables under study. The quantitative data generated will be analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) computer programme. The study found out indeed project management skills influence performance of construction projects in Tanzania regarding construction firms based within Mwanza. The study revealed that projects are constrained by inadequate planning skills that are required for effective planning for project success; project planning is complicated and risky, hence requires varying skills sets for successful project implementation and management. The study concluded that adequate professional and technical skills required in project management is an important foundation for ensuring the success of each project. Proper project management practices such as planning, risk management, and monitoring and control seek to cushion the project against present and potential risks or failure. However, the study recommends that construction firms at Mwanza must ensure that adequate plans and resources exist to recruit, motivate, train and develop employees; key risk management skills are needed to hedge projects against many uncertainties i.e. resource shortage, contractors’ inability to meet completion dates and other types of risks. Mwanza construction firms; should monitor and evaluate projects adequately, and develop monitoring mechanisms.
Keywords: Project Planning Skills, Communication Skills, Risk Management Skills, Monitoring and Control Skills, Project Performance.
Title: PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS AND PERFORMANCE OF CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN TANZANIA; A CASE OF SELECTED CONSTRUCTION FIRMS IN MWANZA
Author: Leah Kisamo, Dr. Samuel Obino Mokaya
International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research
ISSN 2348-3156 (Print), ISSN 2348-3164 (online)
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