Resilience in Adversity: The Lived Experience of a Teenage Mother During the Pandemic

Public infrastructure projects in developing countries often face challenges such as cost overruns, delays, and stakeholder misalignment, impacting their effectiveness and efficiency. Addressing these challenges requires effective project management methodologies tailored to the unique dynamics of public infrastructure projects. This study investigates the impact of project management methodologies on the performance of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) road construction projects in Lusaka, Zambia. Traditional, Agile, and hybrid project management approaches were evaluated to determine their effectiveness in improving project outcomes. Traditional methodologies, such as the Waterfall model, emphasize structured and linear processes, which provide clarity and predictability but lack the flexibility to adapt to changing project requirements. Agile methodologies, on the other hand, focus on adaptability, iterative progress, and stakeholder engagement, making them effective for projects with evolving needs. However, regulatory constraints and limited familiarity with Agile practices in the public sector present significant barriers to their application. Hybrid methodologies, which combine the structured planning of traditional approaches with the flexibility and stakeholder-focused nature of Agile, offer a balanced framework for managing the complexities of public infrastructure projects. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study integrates qualitative insights from semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders—including project managers, government officials, and contractors—with quantitative data from project reports and performance metrics.The analysis evaluates project outcomes such as cost adherence, time management, and stakeholder satisfaction to compare the effectiveness of the three methodologies. The findings reveal that hybrid methodologies outperform both traditional and Agile approaches in delivering public infrastructure projects effectively. Hybrid approaches provide the structure needed for regulatory compliance while offering flexibility during execution, enabling projects to adapt to unforeseen challenges and align better with community needs. Projects employing hybrid methodologies showed significant improvements in timeline adherence, cost management, and stakeholder satisfaction compared to those using traditional or Agile methods alone. Hybrid Methodologies Dominance: 60% of respondents identified hybrid methodologies as the most effective in managing CDF projects, citing their flexibility and ability to balance structured planning with adaptability. Traditional Methods Limitations: Only 20% supported traditional approaches, primarily due to their structured nature, but noted significant limitations in handling project changes and stakeholder dynamics. Agile Adoption Challenges: 15% highlighted Agile’s benefits, such as stakeholder engagement, but implementation was hindered by compliance and regulatory constraints. Performance Improvement Metrics: Cost Efficiency: Hybrid approaches improved cost management by 70%. Time Adherence: 65% of hybrid-managed projects met deadlines compared to 40% for traditional methods. Stakeholder Satisfaction: 75% of projects using hybrid methodologies reported high stakeholder satisfaction levels due to iterative feedback and involvement. Challenges Identified: Resource constraints (55%) and governance issues (50%) were noted as major barriers to adopting modern methodologies effectively. These findings underscore the importance of integrating flexible yet structured project management approaches, such as hybrid methodologies, to enhance performance and address challenges in CDF construction projects. Based on these findings, the study recommends the adoption of hybrid methodologies for public sector projects, particularly in dynamic environments like Zambia. It also emphasizes the need for capacity-building initiatives to train project managers and stakeholders in hybrid methodologies. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of strengthening governance frameworks to enhance accountability, reduce inefficiencies, and ensure the successful implementation of public infrastructure projects. This research contributes valuable insights into optimizing project management practices for sustainable development in resource-constrained settings.