The planning, implementation and monitoring of ZESCO's prepayment metering project in Lusaka Province: Lessons learnt

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Date
2016
Authors
Wamunyima, Nayunda A.
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
The study was conducted to examine the planning, implementation and monitoring of the ZESCO Prepayment Metering Project in Lusaka Province. This was done in order to establish whether the management of project management processes hindered or helped in ensuring that the project fulfilled the requirements for which it was initiated. The study was also conducted in order to establish whether the project achieved key technical objectives of time, budget and quality as well as meeting the needs of key stakeholders. The main objective of this study was to examine the planning, implementation and monitoring of ZESCO‟s Prepayment Metering Project and identify lessons learnt. The specific objectives included: to examine the planning of ZESCO‟s Prepayment Metering Project and identify lessons learnt; to examine the implementation of ZESCO‟s Prepayment Metering Project and identify lessons learnt; to examine the monitoring of ZESCO‟s Prepayment Metering Project and identify lessons learnt, and; to establish whether lessons learnt helped improve the planning, implementation and monitoring of phases II, and IV of the project. The sample size for this study was 211 respondents. These included; 1 project manager, 10 project staff and 200 ZESCO customers from each of the residential areas covered by the three phases of the project. Both primary and secondary methods of data collection were used. This involved the use of questionnaires, semi-structured interview guides and review of relevant project and other documents. Quantitative data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Microsoft Excel computer software packages. Qualitative data was analysed through content analysis. The study findings indicate that 2 out of the 5 project objectives were achieved. According to the findings, there was a decline in non-technical losses from 30 percent in 2003 before the project was implemented to 20 percent in March 2007. However, although ZESCO had recorded a reduction in non-technical losses, the findings indicated that this particular objective was yet to be met. The findings further indicated that lessons were learnt during the planning, implementation and monitoring of the project. Among the lessons learnt included the need for management support and involvement if the project was to succeed. The findings also show that some of the lessons learnt were applied while others were not. The study concluded that the project was not completed according to schedule, budget and quality due to changes in project scope and the problems encountered among other reasons. Finally, the study recommends that further research should be conducted to establish why organisations are not willing to learn and document lessons learnt from projects.
Description
Master of Arts in Public Administration
Keywords
Electric Utilities-Customer Services-Lusaka, Zambia , Electric Meters
Citation