Assessing the efficiency of water loss projects in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality
Abstract
This research set out to investigate the efficiency of 'as and when' water loss reduction projects in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The study thus focussed on a water loss eradication programme in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. The study was motivated by the fact that Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality is mostly implementing water loss reduction projects on an 'as and when' basis. Thus, the aim of the study was to determine the efficiency of 'as and when' water loss projects. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on Project Managers and Senior Management to gather insights on the efficiencies of 'as and when' water loss projects. Moreover, information pertaining to the progress and performance of 27 'as and when' water loss projects from Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality was collected. This information was in the form of projects reports, payment certificates as well as contractor appointment letters. The term 'as and when' is an informal word which is used in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. In literature, 'as and when' project management has similar characteristics with ad hoc project management. Ad hoc projects are indicated to be developed when an unprecedented challenge or problem arises that cannot be solved using standard or predefined business procedures. In assessing the efficiency of 'as and when' water loss projects, project time, cost and quality were determined. Moreover, semi-structured interviews were done with the aim of acquiring in-depth understanding on the practice of 'as and when' water loss projects. The results of the study show that 19 projects (70%) were completed within the required timeframe and 14 projects (52%) were completed within budget whilst 16 projects (59%) were completed within the required scope. The reason for not completing projects within the required timeframe, budget and scope was attributed to a lack of adequate staff in the tendering department as well as a lack of adequate technical knowledge from contractors. Over and above this, the metro's Project Managers were also identified as a cause for concern in managing the projects due to a lack of adequate technical skills and qualifications. The study recommends that the metro should benchmark its project management strategy of 'as and when' water loss projects in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipalities to other metros as this may assist the Metro to improve. This will further enable the Metro to form relations which are specifically aimed at assisting each other when it comes to project management issues. Over and above this, the metro should improve the technical skills of its Project Managers who are managing water loss projects. The development of a policy on the management of contractors and consultants is also recommended to better manage service providers. Lastly, the tendering department at the metro should be fully capacitated with adequate Human Resources in order to improve the metro's project management.