EVALUATING THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY ON PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study evaluates the influence of technology on project development and administration in Ethiopia, focusing on the integration of technological tools within various project management practices. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, the researcher collected data from 156 respondents through structured questionnaires and interviews. The findings reveal a significant gender imbalance in the project workforce, with 63% of participants being male. Notably, 46.4% of respondents reported not using any technology, highlighting barriers such as inadequate training and infrastructure. Despite a general satisfaction with available technologies (65.4%), a substantial portion of respondents (62.8%) have not received necessary training, indicating that satisfaction does not equate to optimal usage. Analysis of project outcomes showed that most projects (51.3%) were completed within budget, yet only 43.6% of deliverables were rated as satisfactory, suggesting room for improvement in quality management. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated strong positive relationships between technology utilization and key performance indicators, including budget adherence and communication efficiency. The results indicate that technology explains 76.0% of the variance in project success. The study concludes that while technology has the potential to enhance project outcomes, significant challenges related to training, infrastructure, and stakeholder engagement remain. Recommendations include implementing targeted training programs, investing in technological infrastructure, and promoting diversity within project teams to foster a more effective project management environment.