Project Governance: A Municipal Leadership Challenge

Abstract

Institutions utilizing projects for policy implementation and service delivery initiatives should make provision for adequate institutional arrangements for the governance of projects. Governance includes authoritative decisions regarding resource allocation, performance monitoring and oversight, powers of the project manager, accountability issues and the establishment of structures to facilitate clear interfaces between municipal leadership and project teams. Governance arrangements typically include the establishment of mechanisms such as a steering committee and/or a project management unit to facilitate decision-making. This article explores the governance arrangements of projects and the challenges they represent to the political and administrative leadership of municipalities. Leadership challenges centre specifically on political and administrative interfaces, the physical organizational placement of project governance structures, and the monitoring and oversight of projects. For this purpose, research was conducted at several local and district municipalities in North-West Province to explore existing practices and leadership challenges. The challenges identified can lead to further research into the underlying issues causing service delivery failures in municipalities.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Gerrit van der Waldt

School of Social and Government Studies, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus.