A critical analysis of the importance of project stakeholder management

in the implementation of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority electronic services platform

FEATURED PAPER

By Tasiyana Siavhundu

Gweru, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT

One of the common situations that derail global projects in general and African projects in particular is poor stakeholder management. In most projects, it is really possible and easy to forget the importance and role played by stakeholders in project success as project managers deviate from the project scope and end up using resources inefficiently. The study analyzed the importance of project stakeholder management in the implementation of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority’s electronic services platform. A qualitative research methodology was employed where questionnaires formed the major data gathering tool. Questionnaires were administered through face-to face interviews, telephone interviews, electronic mails as well as through the post. The study rejected the null hypothesis that project stakeholder management did not matter in the implementation of Zimbabwe revenue Authority’s electronic services platform. Thus, the study proved that project stakeholder management is indispensable and was really necessary in the implementation of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority electronic services project.

Key words: e-services, project managements, stakeholder management, questionnaire, ZIMRA

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The PMBOK Guide, 6^th Edition defines a project stakeholder as an individual, group, or organization who may affect, be affected by, or perceive itself to be affected by a decision, activity, or outcome of a project. Project stakeholder management is therefore about identifying and satisfying those who are affected by the project, whether they are internal or external. Almost everyone or every organization is a stakeholder to any project but not all stakeholders matter. Therefore, close attention needs to be paid to those stakeholders who can have a profound positive or negative impact on the project.

Stakeholder management is a critical function of any project manager’s job. Without strong stakeholder support, project success may be jeopardized since success is defined by the stakeholders. With strong stakeholder support a project gains a valuable ally who can significantly trigger success. When managed properly, a team of engaged stakeholders can really be one of the project’s greatest assets. Stakeholders can be a great source for requirements, can serve as mentors and can help raise the adoption rate of projects’ output by the end users. Stakeholders can also support the project team in times of need or crisis. In essence, making sure that all of project stakeholders buy into the vision of the project and understand its benefits will lead to strong stakeholder support.

1.1 Background of the Study

ZIMRA, which derives its mandate from Zimbabwe’s Revenue Authority Act [Chapter 23:11] and other subsidiary legislation, is responsible for assessing, collecting and accounting for revenue on behalf of the State through the Ministry of Finance. Its four-fold and specific mandate is to collect revenue, facilitate trade and travel, advise the government of Zimbabwe on fiscal and economic matters as well as protecting the civil society.

ZIMRA was established on 19 January 2001 as a successor organization to the then Department of Taxes and the Department of Customs and Excise following the promulgation of the Revenue Authority Act on February 11, 2000.Since then, ZIMRA has grown at a tremendous pace and has put in place client-centric strategies for the convenience of the transacting public. From inception, ZIMRA embraced a culture of modernisation as evidenced by having modernisation as one of its strategic goals. A number of projects have already been implemented and many are in the process of being implemented. The need to ensure synchronisation of projects and coordination of the implementation process resulted in the establishment of the Modernisation Projects Office (MPO) on 1 September 2011. ZIMRA’s modernization policy is also aligned to the national strategic blueprint, the ZIMASSET, which incorporates technological advancement as one fundamental components of growth and development.

As one of its modernization initiatives, ZIMRA, in conjunction with Microsoft and Systems Application Programme (SAP), developed the e-services platform, which was launched on the 28^th of June 2015…

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How to cite this paper: Siavhundu, T. (2019). A critical analysis of the importance of project stakeholder management in the implementation of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority electronic services platform; PM World Journal, Vol. VIII, Issue XI, December. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/pmwj88-Dec2019-Siavhundu-importance-of-stakeholder-management-in-ZIMRA.pdf

About the Author

Tasiyana Siavhundu

Gweru, Zimbabwe

Tasiyana Siavhundu is a member of the Project Management Zimbabwe (PMZ) with vast qualifications and experience in Project Management, Economics, Taxation as well as Investments and Portfolio Management. He is a holder of a B.Sc. Honours Degree in Economics, Master of Commerce Degree in Economics, Post-Graduate Diploma in Project Management, Executive Certificate in Investments and Portfolio Management, Advanced Certificate in Taxation and many other qualifications.

Tasiyana has worked both in the private and public sectors in Zimbabwe. He is now employed as a Revenue Officer with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) where he has been instrumental in economic research, revenue enhancement projects, taxpayer education, audits and so forth. He is very passionate about research work and has interests in the fields of Economics (particularly Public Economics), Project Management and Taxation.

Tasiyana Siavhundu can be directly contacted by email at tsiavhundu@gmail.com

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