Abstract
Successful project implementation is critical in development planning. If there is poor project implementation, economic development will be stalled. Generally, public project implementation has a chequered history. This is particularly true in developing countries which are characterised by low levels of project management maturity. The objective of this article is to review public project implementation in Botswana and recommend improvements for the National Development Plan (NDP) 11 period (2017/2018-2022/2023). The article used the survey strategy and adopted the descriptive approach. Data collection sources were mixed, that is, primary and secondary sources. It concluded that public projects are either poorly implemented (i.e. not implemented in accordance with the ‘Project Management Triple Constraint’ of cost, time and scope) or not implemented at all. Given a constrained revenue envelope post 2008, there is a need for improved project implementation. Amongst others, this calls for professional public project implementation so that NDPs become a reality.
Highlights
Humans have three basic needs to ensure survival, namely food, shelter and clothing
National Development Plan (NDP) are mere intentions that can only have a meaning if they are translated into goods and services, for example schools, to improve citizens’ lives
In a foreword to the third NDP, 1970–75, President Seretse Khama emphasised the centrality of national development planning when he said: Our commitment to planning springs from the recognition that our resources are limited, and must be carefully allocated
Summary
Humans have three basic needs to ensure survival, namely food, shelter and clothing (see e.g. Denton 1990). Scarcity is the inability of resources, whether land, labour, capital and so on, to satisfy human needs and unlimited wants. Economic agents, be they individuals, households, firms or governments, have to rank their needs and wants in order of preference. NDPs are mere intentions that can only have a meaning if they are translated into goods and services, for example schools, to improve citizens’ lives. To this end, in a foreword to the third NDP, 1970–75, President Seretse Khama emphasised the centrality of national development planning when he said: Our commitment to planning springs from the recognition that our resources are limited, and must be carefully allocated. We must be sure that we understand the choices before us and make the right decisions. (Ministry of Finance and Development Planning 1975:1)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Africa’s Public Service Delivery & Performance Review
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
