Explore the evidence.
Understand the reach.

The performance and sustainability of school feeding projects are critical to achieving educational and social development objectives. This study aims to assess the effect of project management practices on performance of school feeding projects in Musanze District, Rwanda, specifically, human resource management, financial resource management, stakeholder involvement and material resource management. The study was guided by the Theory of Change. The study was used mixed-methods with a descriptive survey and correlational research design to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The target population was 3383 respondents from six schools. A descriptive survey design and correlational research design was adopted to gather data from a sample of 358 respondents drawn from six schools involved in the Dusangire Lunch Project. Data collection instruments was included questionnaires, interviews, and documentary reviews. To enhance the study's rigor, a pilot test was conducted with 10% of the sample size. The instruments' validity was established through expert reviews, achieving a content validity index (CVI) of 0.79, which was deemed acceptable. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha, yielding a score of 0.76, confirming the consistency of the instruments. The findings for four hypotheses were tested at ?=.05 level of significance and the results were: there is no significant influence between Human Resource Management (p=0.000<0.05), Human Resource Management (p=0.000<0.05), Stakeholder Involvement (p=0.000<0.05), and Material Resource Management (p=0.000<0.05) on Performance of School Feeding Projects were rejected. The studies conclude that the importance of efficient resource management and active stakeholder involvement in the effective implementation and sustainability of school feeding projects. It is recommended that policymakers and practitioners focus on improving resource management practices, fostering stakeholder collaboration, and addressing gaps in communication to sustain and scale the impact of these projects in Rwanda. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to examine the long-term impact of these management practices on student outcomes and project sustainability.

Recognizing that effective road infrastructure is vital for socioeconomic development, this research addressed the persistent challenges that hindered project execution, including delays, cost overruns, and compromised quality often linked to inadequate M&E practices. The study examined the influence of M&E practices on implementation of road construction projects in Musanze District, Rwanda with specific focus on M&E planning, M&E data utilization, and M&E digitalization on implementation of road construction projects. This study used the theory of change and constraints theory. The study employed descriptive survey and correlational research designs with questionnaire and interview for collecting data from a sample of 153 respondent out of 247 key stakeholders. The instruments were pretested in a pilot study involving 10% of the sample to ensure validity and reliability, achieving a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.78. Descriptive and inferential statistics of correlation and regression were done at a significance level of 0.05 with thematic content analysis of qualitative data for triangulation. The findings revealed that road construction projects generally performed above average, with 68.6% of respondents confirming that projects were completed within budget, 69.9% stating that milestones were met on time, and 65.3% satisfied with the quality of materials and road quality. The hypotheses that M&E Planning, M&E Data Utilization, M&E Digitalization and M&E Capacity Building does not significantly influence the implementation of road construction projects were rejected as p = 0.000 < 0.05. In conclusion all four null hypotheses were rejected, demonstrating that M&E planning, data utilization, digitalization, and capacity building significantly influence the implementation of road construction projects. The study recommended enhancing community engagement, strengthening M&E planning, expanding digitalization efforts, prioritizing ongoing capacity building, and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making. Suggestions for further studies included comparing M&E practices across infrastructure sectors such as water or energy projects, to identify cross-sectoral best practices and potential areas for improvement, exploring emerging technologies like AI and block chain, and analyzing the impact of national and regional policies on M&E practices.

The study investigates the effect of project resource management—including human, financial, material, and technological resources—on the performance of housing construction projects, with a case study of the One and Only Resort’s Staff Accommodation Project in Musanze District, Rwanda. Effective resource management is essential for optimizing project outcomes, yet Rwanda’s construction sector faces challenges such as workforce skill gaps and motivation issues that hinder efficiency. Grounded in the Resource-Based View Theory, Human Capital Theory, and Theory of Change, the research employed a descriptive and correlational design, targeting 308 stakeholders, including project managers, skilled laborers, administrative staff, and consultants. A sample of 174 participants was selected through stratified sampling, with data collected via questionnaires, interviews, and documentation. The instruments demonstrated strong validity (0.892) and reliability (0.803). Using SPSS version 28 for correlation and regression analysis at a 0.05 significance level, the study rejected all four null hypotheses (p = 0.000), confirming that human, financial, material, and technology resource management significantly enhance project performance. The findings underscore the importance of strategic resource allocation in improving construction efficiency and project success. The study recommends that project managers continuously refine resource management strategies to optimize outcomes and suggests future research on the role of risk management in housing construction projects. This research provides valuable insights into resource optimization in Rwanda’s construction sector, offering practical guidance for enhancing housing project performance through effective resource management. 

Participatory project management practices have gained significant attention within the agricultural sector, reflecting a broader global trend toward engaging diverse stakeholders in planning, execution, and evaluation of projects, However, despite the recognized benefits of such practices, agricultural projects in Rwanda still encounter significant challenges related to stakeholder engagement and local participation. The study sought to assess participatory project management practices influence on performance of agricultural projects in Musanze district, Rwanda with focus on participatory planning, implementation, and M&E. The research was guided by the Stakeholder Theory, Social Capital Theory, and Goal Setting Theory, which offered a structured approach to understanding how participatory practices impact agricultural project outcomes. The research employed descriptive and correlational designs. The target population for this study consisted of 465 population divided into four categories: 10 project managers, 83 project staff and team members, 298 beneficiaries’ representatives, and 74 community leaders. Using Slovin’s formula, the sample size was calculated to be 215 participants, ensuring that the study's findings accurately represented the population. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics like correlation and regression analysis were applied. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 on descriptive and inferential statistics of Bivariate Correlation and regression analysis. For the study on TUBURA Project, a pre-test was conducted on 10% of the sample size equal to 22 respondents, including project managers and staff to assess the effectiveness of the questionnaire. A validity index of 0.8 was obtained while the Cronbach's alpha coefficient of reliability was 0.83, which exceeds the minimum acceptable reliability threshold of 0.70. The findings for the hypotheses at ?=.05 level of significance that: there is no significant influence of participatory planning, execution and M&E on performance of agricultural projects was rejected since P=0.000<0.05. All predictors show statistically significant effects on performance, with p-values less than 0.05. The study recommends that management of TUBURA Project should enhance participatory planning by organizing regular community meetings, ensuring local input in decision-making, and making planning documents easily accessible to stakeholders for increased transparency and accountability. Future research should investigate the socio-economic impacts of participatory methods on beneficiaries of agricultural projects. 

Stakeholder engagement is a critical determinant of project success, with ineffective strategies contributing to failures worldwide. Despite some progress, research remains scarce on the specific strategies contributing to sustainable outcomes in Rwanda.  The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of stakeholders' engagement strategies on performance of agricultural projects in Rutsiro District, Rwanda: A Case of KOICA Project. The Specific objectives of the study include: To assess the effect of collaboration, involvement, empowerment and consultation strategy on performance of agricultural projects in Rutsiro District, Rwanda. The study was grounded on Stakeholder Theory. The study used descriptive and correlational research design. The target population includes 2,179 stakeholders from KOICA, with a sample size of 338 respondents. The pilot study aimed to enhance the validity and reliability of the research tools by pre-testing the questionnaire and interview guide with 34 respondents, representing 10% of the sample size. Validity was confirmed through expert evaluation, yielding a content validity index of 0.89 while Reliability was established using the split-half technique, achieving a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.84, demonstrating the instruments' consistency and appropriateness for data collection. Descriptive statistics of percentage, frequency, mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics of Correlation and Regression were done at a significance level of 0.05 using SPSS version 28 while thematic content analysis of qualitative data was done for triangulation. The findings for four hypotheses were tested at ?=.05 level of significance and the results were: Collaboration Strategy (P=0.000<0.05), Involvement Strategy (P=0.000<0.05), Empowerment Strategy (P=0.000<0.05) and, Consultation Strategy (P=0.000<0.05) on Performance of Agricultural Projects were rejected. The study concludes that the performance of agricultural projects in Rutsiro District is significantly influenced by collaboration, involvement, empowerment, and consultation strategies. To enhance project outcomes, the study recommends developing structured frameworks for resource sharing, fostering participatory decision-making, expanding capacity-building programs, and strengthening feedback mechanisms to improve stakeholder engagement and inclusivity. 

Hydropower projects are vital for Rwanda’s economic growth, contributing to the national GDP and accounting for 48% of the country’s installed power capacity. However, these projects face significant environmental risks, including pollution, sedimentation, fluctuating water volumes, and natural disasters such as floods and landslides, which threaten operational efficiency and long-term sustainability. This study aimed to examine the influence of environmental risk factors, specifically pollution risk, sedimentation risk, volume risk, and natural disaster risk, on the performance of hydropower projects in Rwanda, with a focus on Rwaza Hydropower Project in Musanze District. The study is grounded in Stakeholder Theory and Risk Society Theory and adopted descriptive and correlational research designs. The target population consisted of 112 participants, including project managers, plant managers, operators, regulators, and other relevant stakeholders. The study highlights the significant negative influence of pollution, sedimentation, volume fluctuations, and natural disaster risks on the performance of hydropower projects in Rwanda. It is recommended that project managers strengthen environmental management, implement effective sediment and water volume control measures, enhance disaster preparedness, and involve local communities to sustain project performance. Future research could examine the economic impacts of environmental risks, the effectiveness of mitigation strategies, climate change effects, and community participation in improving hydropower sustainability.      

This study examined the influence of implementation interventions on the success of education infrastructure projects in Rwanda, using the China-Aided Expansion Project of IPRC Musanze as a case study. The study was grounded in the recognition that project success is not solely dependent on the availability of financial resources but is largely influenced by the effectiveness of implementation strategies throughout the project lifecycle. Specifically, the study assessed the effect of materials and resource management, financial management, technology adoption, and human expertise and skills development on project success. The study was guided by Implementation Theory and the Project Success Model and adopted both descriptive and correlational research designs. The target population comprised 123 employees of IPRC Musanze at the time of project implementation, including three who were assigned to supervise the project on behalf of the beneficiary institution, as well as 1,243 students who were enrolled during the same period. This resulted in a total population of 1,366 respondents. A mixed sampling approach was employed, whereby a census technique was applied to the employee category, while simple random sampling was used for the student category. Data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and document review to ensure triangulation and enhance the validity of findings. 

Effective management of human, material, and financial resources is crucial for delivering housing construction projects successfully. In Musanze District, Rwanda, many housing projects have faced delays and cost overruns, largely due to weaknesses in planning, coordination, and resource use. Using the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Systems Theory as guiding frameworks, this study assessed how resource management strategies impact the performance of housing construction projects. A descriptive survey design with correlational analysis was used. The study targeted 152 stakeholders, including district infrastructure officers, project managers, site engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, foremen, skilled workers, and material suppliers. A stratified random sample of 110 participants was drawn, and a 10% pilot test (n = 11) was conducted to ensure the questionnaire’s clarity. Reliability analysis using Cronbach’s Alpha produced a value of 0.826, indicating strong internal consistency. Content validity was confirmed with a CVI of 0.87. Data were analyzed in SPSS 25 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression at a 5% significance level. Findings indicated that overall project delivery performance was high (composite mean = 4.38). Key delivery indicators such as quality (mean = 4.74), scope achievement (4.56), and stakeholder satisfaction (4.35) were strong, while timely completion recorded the lowest performance (mean = 4.02). Material Resource Management (MRM) exhibited a strong, positive, and statistically significant correlation with project delivery (r = 0.510, p = 0.000), making it the most influential individual strategy.

Recognizing that effective road infrastructure is vital for socioeconomic development, this research addressed the persistent challenges that hindered project execution, including delays, cost overruns, and compromised quality often linked to inadequate M&E practices. The study examined the influence of M&E practices on implementation of road construction projects in Musanze District, Rwanda with specific focus on M&E planning, M&E data utilization, and M&E digitalization on implementation of road construction projects. This study used the theory of change and constraints theory. The study employed descriptive survey and correlational research designs with questionnaire and interview for collecting data from a sample of 153 respondent out of 247 key stakeholders. The instruments were pretested in a pilot study involving 10% of the sample to ensure validity and reliability, achieving a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.78. Descriptive and inferential statistics of correlation and regression were done at a significance level of 0.05 with thematic content analysis of qualitative data for triangulation. The findings revealed that road construction projects generally performed above average, with 68.6% of respondents confirming that projects were completed within budget, 69.9% stating that milestones were met on time, and 65.3% satisfied with the quality of materials and road quality. The hypotheses that M&E Planning, M&E Data Utilization, M&E Digitalization and M&E Capacity Building does not significantly influence the implementation of road construction projects were rejected as p = 0.000 < 0.05. In conclusion all four null hypotheses were rejected, demonstrating that M&E planning, data utilization, digitalization, and capacity building significantly influence the implementation of road construction projects. The study recommended enhancing community engagement, strengthening M&E planning, expanding digitalization efforts, prioritizing ongoing capacity building, and fostering a culture of data-driven decision-making. Suggestions for further studies included comparing M&E practices across infrastructure sectors such as water or energy projects, to identify cross-sectoral best practices and potential areas for improvement, exploring emerging technologies like AI and block chain, and analyzing the impact of national and regional policies on M&E practices.

The study investigates the impact of skills and concomitant competencies in enhancing claims management in order to ameliorate disputes in the South African construction industry. By evaluating the role of various skills and abilities, the study provided significant insights for optimizing claims management methods and enhancing project outcomes. The study adopted a mixed-method approach, combining a content analysis of industry reports, and legal precedents relating to construction claims management and skills development. Additionally, structured interviews and surveys were undertaken with key stakeholders in the construction sector. A total of eleven interviews and ninety-three (93) complete responses were retrieved from respondents including contractors, subcontractors, project managers, legal experts, and industry associations. These interviews and surveys attempt to obtain qualitative and quantitative data on the impact of skills on claims management procedures, including competency levels, training experiences, problems faced, and perceived outcomes. study underlines the need for investing in training and development programs to alleviate skills shortages and build a culture of competence among construction professionals. The conversation discussed the possible role of technology in complementing abilities and improving claims management efficiency. It is recommended that recognizing the crucial link between skills and claims management effectiveness, stakeholders may apply measures to limit risks, improve procedures, and ultimately increase successful project outcomes in the construction industry.