of Urban Productive Safety Nets Program
at Akaki Kality Sub-City
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
FEATURED PAPER
By Tesfaye Katiso, Dr. Yilkal Wassie and Dr. Teshome Tamirat
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Abstract
Performance of safety net projects is determined by the comprehensive interaction of various internal and external factors. This study investigates the impact internal and external factors on the performance of urban safety net program highlighting on its effectiveness and success. We employed a mixed approach of descriptive and explanatory research methods which integrates both qualitative and quantitative data to generate a comprehensive result on program implementation and its beneficiary satisfaction. A study used sample of 138 beneficiaries from 3 districts selected through a three-stage purposive sampling process. The result indicates that a balanced gender representation of 49% male and 51% female exhibited an effective outreach on the beneficiaries for performance. However, the low participation of youth about the program (10.87% aged 18-25) and older adults (5.07% aged 56 and above) raises concerns about inclusivity of the beneficiary composition. Among participants of the program 54.3% are direct beneficiaries, while others are involved in various roles such as project implementation committee members (19.6%) and government officials (8.7%). The result reveals strong correlations between project success and various factors such as project planning with (0.860**, p=0.000) and monitoring & evaluation with (0.620**, p=0.000). The result underscores the critical role of effective planning and robust monitoring and evaluation practices in achieving successful outcomes. Additionally, a correlation value of 0.680** at (p=0.000) indicates that stronger institutional capacity is linked to greater project success, emphasizing the importance of well-structured organizational frameworks. A moderate correlation value of 0.455** at (p=0.000) indicates that effective project management tools do also contribute positively to project outcomes. Our finding underscores those foundational factors that the safety net program can improve livelihoods and alleviate poverty by aligning with best practices in project management. While project management tools are useful as they are less critical than planning needs assessment, and institutional capacity, which are essential for successful project execution.
Keywords: Institutional-Capacity, Evaluation, Monitoring, Urban, Safety Net
- Introduction
The success of a given project is determined by three main factors known as the triple constraints: cost, scope, and time (Matarrita-Cascante, and Brennan, 2011[1]). Additionally, project success can also be evaluated based on team satisfaction, customer satisfaction, and the quality of deliverables for success (Mwencha Nyasimi, 2013[2]). It has been a continuing topic of research for a long time that researchers identified many of its criteria and investigated and tested the external and internal variables that can affect it in different contextual perceptions (Lim and Mohamed, 1999[3]). It has been quite challenging to determine if a project is successful or not before scientifically researched for which factors significantly impact its performance (Goodwin and Young, 2013[4]).
Traditionally, the most important factors in defining the success rate of a project are the metrics of time, cost, scope and quality; however, more recently, practitioners and academics have determined that project success must also be measured against the achievement of project goals (PMI, 2017[5]). The concepts of project success have evolved over the years from simplistic definitions limited to a specific phase of the project, to more comprehensive, incorporating the needs of project stakeholders and users in different times (Project Management Journal, Dec 2005[6]). In addition to achieving the conventional success criteria of projects, the project must meet the objectives of the stakeholders and the project implementation process needs of the stakeholders, in particular the beneficiaries of the project under the safety net schemes (Petro, 2014[7]). Project success does also include additional criteria linked to the organizational strategy and to the delivery of business results in a given situation (PMI, 2017[8]).
On the other hand, there are various success factors that determine the successful completion of projects., these project success factors include the availability and adequacy of resources available to the project and project management team, availability and effectiveness of monitoring and evaluation systems, use of project management tools and techniques, and development and use of appropriate project management strategies (Joseph Kimani Mwangi, 2015[9]).
The projects continue to be the fundamental tools to achieve the strategic objectives; and their need ranges from business to development with their respective for-profit and humanitarian purposes (PMI, 2017[10]).
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How to cite this paper: Authors, last name, initials (2025). Effects of Internal and External Factors on Project Performance of Urban Productive Safety Nets Program at Akaki Kality Sub-City, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; PM World Journal, Vol. XIV, Issue XII, December. Available online at https://pmworldlibrary.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pmwj159-Dec2025-Katiso-Wassie-Tamirat-effect-of-internal-external-factors.pdf
About the Authors
Tesfaye Katiso
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mr. Tesfaye Katiso is the Director, Planning and Budget Directorate, Industry Development Bureau, Addis Ababa. He holds an M.A. degree in Project Management from Adimas University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Haramaya University.
Dr. Yilkal Wassie Ayen
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Dr. Yilkal Wassie Ayen is a lecturer at Jimma University College of Business and Economics under the Department/Team Economics with Field of Specialization. He holds a M.Sc. in Economics (Economic Policy Analysis). His research Interest is related to Issues of development Economics and policy analysis, and program evaluations based on micro and macro data analysis
Dr. Teshome Tamirat
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Dr. Teshome Tamirat, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, holds a PhD in Forest Ecology and an MA in Project Management. He currently serves as the Department Head for Forestry at the Ethiopian Forestry Development and conducts research across various fields, including agriculture, forestry, and project management. Additionally, he acts as the National Focal Point for the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, focusing on the implementation of the national drought management plan, combating land degradation and related project design and execution. He can be contacted at Tesh4040@gmail.com
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