The Effect of Swot Analysis in Project Management in South Eastern Nigeria

In Nigeria today,cases of project delays, project abandonment, project cost over-runs, cancellations of projects awarded and re awards of cancelled projects have been the order of the day .  This  negative scenerio has been a great concern to those at the helm of affairs both in public and private sectors, including  project managers and scholars on how to stem this negative trend.Projects abandonment especially in the South Eastern Nigeria has led to cases of lost of lives and properties.  Improper and inadeqaute critical decisions relating to  project planning  and risk management  have been attributed as the major cause of this problem. In view of this development, this study is aimed at demostrating how SWOT analysis could be a simple and yet a powerful tool in delivering  projects on time and on budget. It is equally aimed at how SWOT analysis could be a strategic planning method used to evaluate the strength, weakness, oppurtunities, and threats invloved in a project or business venture. The  work equally X-rayed how SWOT analysis could be a veritable tool that will enhance a subjective assessment of  a given situation or subject in order to make  critical decisions that are related to planning and risk management.  Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. Data from the primary source were basically from the designed instrument,which were distributed to the population of 80 staff of Anambra, Enugu  and Imo states ministry of works and housing Engneering and survey departments. In view of the size of the population the entire population were study, hence no sample size was used and all the 80 questionaire were retrieved. Secondary data were  obtained from journal articles, textbooks,Newspapers, Magazines, Public documents, Conference papers and retrieved internet materials. The data were analysed by  using  Relative Importance Index (R.I.I) based on the works of Lim and Alua(1995).  Findings revealed  that the major cause of project delays and abandonment are inadequate planning, corruption and inadequate finance . However,it was found out that Swot analysis helped managers in the planning of the project and risk evaluation both at the starting point and the mid way of the project.  Finally, recommendations were proferred to project managers on the need to see the conduct of SWOT analysis both at pre-planning stage and mid way of the project as a solution  to achieving project objectives and delivering of project according to specifications and good project management. Keywords : Swot analysis, project delays, abandonement, project management.