Agile Risk Management as a Solution to the Failure of Kenyan Public Projects

Abstract

Risk management is key in determining the success of a project. Despite adoption of risk management by the public sector in Kenya, research has shown that up to 79.2% of the construction projects still fail whether in terms of experiencing delays, cost overruns or failure to meet the expected quality. The main aim of this study was to establish whether Agile Risk Management principles present a practical improvement to the predominant practice of risk management in the Kenyan public sector. Data was collected from a team of Architects, Engineers and Quantity Surveyors in the State Department of Public Works, Nairobi, using questionnaires and an interview. Results obtained showed that risks are directly related to the causes of failure of these Kenyan public projects and therefore improving risk management practices will promote the success of these projects. It was also evident from the study that the predominant approach to risk management in Kenya was Traditional Risk Management. The Agile Risk Management principles are hardly implemented in Kenya owing to the fact that professionals are not aware of this approach. Upon further analysis, this study established that the adoption of some Agile Risk Management principles is indeed a solution to the failure of Kenyan public projects as it presents a practical improvement to the predominant risk management practices. This study brings to light the need to closely examine the risk management practices in Kenya generally in both the public and private sectors. Another implication of this study is that it highlights the need of professional bodies and other relevant authorities to create more awareness on this and other approaches to risk management among their members.