Assessing the Role of Monitoring and Evaluation Practices on the Performance of Donor-Funded Public Construction Projects in Tanzania: A Case of Judiciary Citizen Centric Project

Abstract

The study examined how monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices influence the performance of donor-funded public construction projects in Tanzania, focusing on the Judiciary Citizen Centric Project. It analysed the effects of three key M&E components of progress tracking and reporting, budget tracking and auditing, and quality control on project performance indicators such as timely completion, cost efficiency, and quality compliance. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed, with the use of structured questionnaires for 93 purposively and randomly selected respondents, and in-depth interviews for 9 Heads of Department. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze quantitative data using SPSS 25, while thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data to complement and triangulate the findings. The results indicated that all three dimensions of M&E made a positive and significant contribution to project performance. Budget tracking and auditing had the strongest influence (β = 0.602, p = 0.000), followed by Progress tracking and reporting (β = 0.601, p = 0.000) and quality control procedures (β = 0.571, p = 0.000). These findings supported that strong M&E practices not only assist in delivering schedules and costs but also structural quality and sustainability of infrastructure. Further, all the regression assumptions like normality, linearity, homoscedasticity, and no multicollinearity were met, and thus the model's validity was guaranteed. It recommends the implementation of electronic M&E systems, participatory monitoring systems, and good financial accountability systems to improve project delivery and policymakers, donor agencies, and public infrastructure development practitioners.