ASSESSMENT OF PROJECT PLANNING PRACTICE IN COMMERCIAL BANK OF ETHIOPIA: THE CASE OF BUILDING MAINTENANCE PROJECTS IN ADDIS ABABA

Abstract

This study focuses on evaluating the practice of project planning within the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia in the case of building maintenance projects in Addis Ababa. Data for the study were collected from the bank's Building maintenance office, employing a census approach due to the manageable size of the office staff. A descriptive research approach was utilized to address the research questions derived from a comprehensive review of existing literature. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyse the data obtained through a structurally designed questionnaire. The findings of the study reveal that the project planning processes within the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia building maintenance office are predominantly performed poorly. Additionally, the study identifies significant shortcomings faced by the bank building maintenance office during the project planning process. These shortcomings include inadequate and ineffective project time management, lack of integration between projects, absence of experienced project managers, scarcity of qualified and experienced project teams, inadequate project management training, ineffective and insufficient communication between project managers and team members, and the absence of documented lessons learned and best practices. To address these issues, the study offers several recommendations which are comprehensive planning, stakeholder engagement, clear objectives and deliverables, realistic timeframes and milestones, risk management .resource allocation, monitoring and evaluation and human resource development within the Building maintenance office. By addressing the identified challenges and implementing the recommended measures, the Building maintenance office department can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its project planning processes and contribute to successful execution and completion of projects that leads to the overall organizational performance and development of the bank that will in turn contribute to the development of the country.