Identifying an analytical tool to assess the readiness of aid information and communication technology projects

Abstract

It has been established that information and communication technologies (ICTs) empower the informal sector. However, according to a study, a number of barriers such as affordability, availability, and access lead to the informal sector being a lowtech environment. Thus, aid agencies and African governments have made notable efforts to promote the spread and use of ICT in Africa in order to support sustainable development in African countries. These initiatives are managed on a project basis.Unfortunately, the success rate of development aid projects is relatively low. Several explanations have been given for these failures. We performed a conceptual analysis where we identify the important drivers that should be considered when assessing the likelihood of success of these projects, namely, project readiness, before such projects are implemented. The analytical framework that is proposed will contribute to the success of ICT projects.

Adaptive project management model for the international development and aid projects

“…Adaptation-6, which adapted the PMBOK ® Guide to make them better able to build quality partnerships for the IDAPs, has been operationalized the industry-specific recommendations of literature to work with partners and better sustain the IDAPs (Arhin et al, 2018;Awasthy et al, 2019;Fiddian-Qasmiyeh & Pacitto, 2019;Ika & Donnelly, 2017;Saleh et al, 2017). Adaptation-7 has confirmed the importance of information management in this industry as advocated by Robehmed (2019) and Kaba (2019). Last, Adaptation-8, which is concerned with adapting the PMBOK ® Guide for better management of donor's engagement and satisfaction, has confirmed the advocacy of Saleh et al (2017) and Kloster (2019).…”

IT for the informal sector in developing countries: A broader perspective

“…We conclude the special issue with Kaba's () paper titled “Identifying an analytical tool to assess the readiness of aid information and communication technology projects” where he presents an interesting conceptual analysis of readiness to successfully implement IT projects targeted towards creating benefits and aiding the informal sector in developing countries and the factors that are important in assessing such readiness. The paper presents these in the context of aid‐projects in Africa where policy makers and implementers can use the factors recommended to increase the likelihood of success in such IT projects.…”

Project Management Readiness: A Glimpse into the Troubled Rhetoric and the Expected Delivery of 2020 Priority Action Projects in Africa

“…Interestingly, [13] assessed the reasons why African construction projects fail. And most recently, [26] assessed readiness for adoption of information communication technology systems to manage donor aid projects in Africa. The study by [27] on project 'team readiness' seems to have broken the ice on the scholarship on construction project management readiness.…”

“…As can be gleaned from the foregoing, most of the existing literature have focused majorly on the working of the organizational processes and very little on human side factors or administrative capacity as described by [28]. Stemming from the framework developed by [26] on project readiness on three pillars; personal leadership, self efficacy and environmental enablers, this study aims to identify the human skills gap in Africa as a key factor of project management readiness with a view to proposing a solution.…”