Influence of Scheduling Techniques on Project Performance of Registered Building Works Contractors in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

The Project Management Institute (PMI) defines a schedule as a set of activities with start and finish dates. A schedule defines the work to be accomplished (what), the sequence of work (when), and the required resources (who). Therefore, the purpose of scheduling is to provide a road map for project execution, from inception to completion.Successful construction projects basically rely on successful practices of project management in regard to planning, implementation and cost, time and quality achievements. Therefore, the study sought to establish the influence of scheduling techniques on project performance of registered building works contractors in Nakuru County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish the influence of critical path method and Gantt chart on project performance of registered building works contractors in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study was anchored on the concept of resource dependence, theory of triple constraints and project life cycle model. A descriptive survey research design was adopted in the study targeting 572 building works contractors engaged in building works in Nakuru County, Kenya. Nassiuma's formula was used to derive the sample size of 85 respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect the primary data desirable for the study.Descriptive statistics involved the use of percentages, frequencies, measures of central tendencies (mean) and measures of dispersion (standard deviation). Inferential statistic involved the use of correlation analysis to establish the nature of the affiliation amongst variables at a generally accepted conventional significant level. The findings indicated that there exists a strong positive and significant relationship between critical path methods and project performance of registered building works contractors with a regression coefficient of 0.382. The findings also indicated that there exists a strong positive and significant relationship between Gantt chart techniques and project performance of registered building works contractors with a regression coefficient of 0.504. The study concluded that through critical path method project managers are able to accurately determine the timelines of various project activities and through Gantt charts project managers are able to track project outcome on time. The study recommended that critical path method should be used to enable project managers to accurately determine the timelines of various project activities. The researcher also recommended that Gantt charts should be used to enable project managers to track project outcome on time.