An investigation of factors contributing towards failure or success of implemented EWB-USA water-well borehole projects

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates 90 different factors contributing towards the success of Engineers Without Borders USA water-well borehole projects based on four indicators. Seventy-five per cent of the 22 well projects studied were successful according to at least three of the four success definitions. Different factors impact the success indicators in complex ways. Community engagement should be sought out, though not necessarily during implementation. An experienced travel team, surprisingly, tends to create less successful projects, but this is improved by performing periodic control checks or supplementary pre-implementation surveys.

KEYWORDS:

• Social sector – Water and sanitation
• Methods
• Civil society – participation
• Aid – development

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andreas Kristoffersen

Andreas Kristoffersen is based at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Joshua N. Knight

Joshua N. Knight is Global Project Engineer and Disaster Relief Coordinator at Global Hope Network International, Denver, United States.