PROJECT SCOPE CREEP ON IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: A CASE OF ISIMBI POULTRY PROJECT RWANDA
Abstract
Background: Scope creep in projects is a prevalent issue, often pursued without adequate studies on its profitability. Despite existing research interest, there is a lack of thorough assessment of its effectiveness in community development projects, particularly those sponsored by governments.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate how project scope creep impacts the implementation of community development projects in Rwanda
Materials and Methods: The study drew on stakeholder theory, resource-based theory, risk management theory, and project management theory. A descriptive survey research design was employed with 124 participants from the Isimbi poultry project. Reliability assessment was conducted using Cronbach's Alpha. Data analysis included qualitative and quantitative methods, utilizing SPSS software version 21 for analysis. Data coding categorized responses addressing scope creep in community development initiatives
Results and Discussions: The study revealed a strong positive relationship (β = 0.693, p < .001) between scope definition and project success, supporting previous findings on the importance of precise scope definition in project management (Smith et al., 2019; Jones & Smith, 2020). Additionally, scope planning (β = 0.161, p = .015), scope changes (β = 0.144, p = .036), and scope control (β = 0.243, p < .001) were significant contributors to project success, consistent with prior studies highlighting effective scope management techniques
Conclusion: Effective scope management practices are critical for successfully implementing community development projects in Rwanda. Clear scope definition, meticulous planning, proactive change management, and vigilant scope control are essential to mitigate risks, enhance stakeholder collaboration, and achieve sustainable development outcomes. This study underscores the importance of implementing robust scope management strategies to improve project effectiveness and contribute to advancing project management practices in community development contexts.
