FACTORS AFFECTING EFFECTIVE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION IN CONSTRUCTION SECTORS IN TANZANIA: A CASE OF TANROADS IN DAR ES SALAAM CITY

Abstract

ABSTRACT Public construction projects in Tanzania, particularly those managed by the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROAD), have been plagued by persistent inefficiencies, resulting in frequent cost overruns, project delays, and compromised quality. This study explores the key factors that affect the successful implementation of construction projects, with a particular focus on TANROAD projects in Dar es Salaam. It investigates the role of three essential project management practices: project planning, project design, and monitoring & evaluation (M&E). The study adopts a comprehensive theoretical framework, integrating Project Management Theory, Stakeholder Theory, and the Resource-Based View (RBV). An explanatory research design was used, with primary data collected through structured questionnaires from 73 purposively selected TANROAD staff involved in project management. The data were analyzed using SPSS Version 23, utilizing both descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis to test the relationships between the identified factors and project implementation outcomes. The reliability of the measurement scales was confirmed, with all constructs yielding Cronbach's Alpha values above 0.70. The findings reveal that all three factors planning, design, and M&E have a statistically significant positive impact on the effectiveness of project implementation. Among the planning practices, the establishment of clear and attainable project goals (β = 0.355, p < 0.01) was found to be the most influential. In terms of design, the level of detail and completeness in project designs (β = 0.367, p < 0.01) was identified as the most critical factor. For M&E, the effective use of resources with strong accountability measures (β = 0.362, p < 0.01) emerged as the most significant contributor to project success. Together, these three factors explained approximately 50.1% of the variance in project implementation effectiveness (R² = 0.501). The study concludes that weaknesses in project planning, design, and monitoring and evaluation continue to undermine Tanzania’s public construction projects. It recommends strengthening institutional capacity through improved planning, participatory design, and technology-enabled, accountability-focused M&E systems. These reforms are crucial for ensuring efficient resource use, value for money, and advancing Tanzania’s Development Vision 2025 and SDGs 9, 11, and 16.