Influence of Risk Management Practices on Successful Implementation of Projects in Public Secondary Schools in the County Government of Kiambu, Kenya

Abstract

Projects are exposed to a wide variety of risks. Consequently, projects manager should embrace best practices in risk management in order to increase the probability of successful implementation of projects. Literature suggests that incorporating risk management best practices in the management of projects leads to better project outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine risk management practices of public secondary schools in the County Government of Kiambu and how these practices affect the successful implementation of school projects. The study targeted 246 public secondary schools from which a sample of 74 schools was obtained using the proportionate stratified sampling technique. Data was collected from the principals or deputy principles of these schools using structured questionnaires, and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Findings revealed that risk identification, risk analysis, risk treatment, and risk control have a significant and positive relationship with successful implementation of project. Risk treatment (Beta= 0.559) had the strongest influence on project implementation success followed by risk analysis (Beta=0.549). The researcher recommended that policy makers in the education sector should develop risk management training programs that focus on the four risk management processes. School management teams should also focus on developing written project risk management policy and procedures, and involve stakeholders in the risk management processes.