Assessing Benefits of Monitoring and Evaluation Practices: The Construction Industry Perspective

Monitoring and evaluation are the process that guides professionals and other stakeholders in the construction industry with specific information that can be used to foresee the future and avoid unforeseeable challenges in the construction process and operations. It is also a process that guides professionals in the construction industry in executing programs for operational effectiveness. This study assesses the benefit of monitoring and evaluation practices in the South African construction industry. A field survey was conducted among construction professionals in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, to identify the benefits of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for their construction projects. Data were collected through a random sampling method, and 36 questionnaire responses were received from the construction professionals within the study area. Using a descriptive statistical approach, collected data were computed, which helped to determine the valid mean item score. The study findings indicated that construction projects delivered as planned, reduced construction material wastage, eradicated corruption in the construction process, and improved communication among stakeholders were the highest-ranked benefits of M&E practices in construction projects. The study concluded that government and professional institutions should continue to provide training and seminars on the benefits of M&E practices for professionals toward enhancing its continuous implementation in the construction process and operations for production efficiency.