ABSTRACT

Due to the increased level of dynamic environment in which projects are implemented organizations face great challenges in ensuring that the projects are successfully delivered on time, within the set budget and as per the clients expectations. Project managers at Nyanadarua County have been facing challenges to deliver sustainable projects that are effective in the long run, deliver the expected outcomes and meet the needs of the client. Therefore, this study aimed at establishing the influence of the external environment on the success of health projects in Nyandarua County. The following specific objectives were addressed; to establish the influence of government resource allocation on the success of health projects, to assess the influence of change in political leadership on the success of health projects, to find out the influence of finance on the success of health projects, to determine the influence of stakeholder involvement on the success of health projects and to establish the influence of technology adoption on the success of health projects. Theories reviewed in this study were the resource based view theory, stakeholder theory and transaction cost analysis theory. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with the target population being the project managers of health projects that are ongoing in the county. There were a total of 40 projects and therefore a census inquiry was used since the number is manageable. Data was conducted using a questionnaire. Validity and reliability of the questionnaires were ensured through content validity and test re-test method respectively. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to yield frequency tables, mean, mode, median and standard deviation. Multiple linear regression model was used to measure the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables. Data was presented using charts, tables and graphs. The study established a positively and significant relationship between government resource allocation, political leadership, finance, stakeholder involvement and technology adoption on the success of health projects. The study concludes that the budget provides a means to monitor the project’s financial activities over the life of the project and provides a framework for expenditure to achieve the objectives of the project in an efficient manner. Realistic planning of finances is key to proper implementation of a project. Usually projects fail due to struggle because of the inattention of a project manager to the political environment. Finance provides numerous benefits such as risk management incentives, leverage flexibility extension and free cash flow creation. Stakeholder involvement develops a confidence atmosphere by requiring shareholders ' voices to be heard and their issues to be identified and technology-based project management can help companies to streamline business operations, reduce overhead costs, and improve equipment tracking. The study recommends that project managers in the County should identify the right resources towards the success of health projects being implemented in the County. Project leaders stay out in front of the County health projects through the political landscape of the County. A project managers seeking finance for a new health project should preferably seek the services of a financial advisor to assist with the feasibility study of the project and appoint sponsors to raise the funding. Project managers should engage stakeholders early and often in order to ensure project progress. The County should have good project management software that allows project teams to centralize documents, work on schedules and budgets together, and tag each other in updates and requests.