ASSESSMENT OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES: EVIDENCE FROM SELECTED PROJECTS AT THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

Abstract

Assessment of Project Management Practices and Challenges: Evidence from selected projects at Ministry of Agriculture. Development Organizations cannot be successful unless they implement a project management methodology that is applicable to their projects in consistent and predictable manner. The main purpose of this study is to assess whether and the extent to which the application of project management processes is consistent with existing theory or not based on the data collected from target Programs/Projects. Purposive sampling method was used to sample respondents. A blend of quantitative and qualitative research tools were used to collect data. About 38 respondents were completed the survey questionnaires, and key informants interviews were done with few experts.SPSS (20) was used for statistical data analysis and descriptive results were presented in the form of percentatge, median, tables and figures. The result showed that among the 10 Project Management knowledge areas, about 6 knowledge areas were found widely used practiced, Whereas Project Quality, Risk, communication and Stakeholders management were poorly practiced. Concerning the assessment of project management challenges, result showed that scheduled delay beyond plan, lack of quality check at satisfaction level, lack of strict quality evaluation measure, risk management process on failure to manage expectation of risk event with no effective response, lack of communication plan and lack of effective communication with stakeholders, and low commitment of stakeholders were identified as challenges. It is suggested that properly applying the standared project management guidelines taking into account local context is required if projects needed to succeed. Furthermore, project team memebers should be aquianted with Project management knowledge areas which are very vital processes in the project management that drastically reduces risk and uncertainity if they are properly practiced as per needed.