Integration of Capability Analysis and Its Impact on Process
Capability: Evidence from the Constituency Development Fund
Process for Project Approval and Funding in Zambia
1Kelvin Kashindi, 2Joe Likando, 3Francis Simui
1PhD Candidate, University of Zambia and Zimbabwe Open University under the Institute of Distance
Education
2Dr Joe Likando, Post Graduate Supervisor, educationist, Public Administration specialist, University of
Zambia
3Professor, Francis Simui, Assistant Director University of Zambia, Institute of Distance Education,
Researcher, Supervisor, Lecturer and Mentor
Received: 27 November 2025; Accepted: 01 December 2025; Published: 09 December 2025
ABSTRACT
Processes by nature are affected by variation, either chronic or sporadic, which hinder them from consistently
producing desirable outcomes relative to specifications. Existing research has rarely utilised analytical tools that
quantify variation and capability within the constituency development fund process (CDF). They rely on
qualitative or descriptive assessments, which do not capture the extent to which variability contributes to process
delays. The study aimed at demonstrating how integrated capability metrics provide objective, quantifiable
measures of process variation to capture the extent to which it contributes to process capability. For example,
the use of descriptive statistics on selected projects revealed differences in mean, standard deviation and sigma
levels that could not be captured by qualitative or descriptive assessment. The study used a quantitative-
descriptive research design. Data were gotten from the Value Stream Map developed for CDF process for project
approval and funding. Data analysis was done descriptively through Median, and Inter Quartile Range (IQR) to
capture variation and its impact on process capability and funding. Key Result(s): while qualitative or descriptive
assessment provide subjective impressions of process performance, it fails to capture the magnitude, distribution
and implication of variability on process capability. The differences in median (14) and IQR (21), indicates high
variability. Hence, the process is unstable and unpredictable, leading to delayed project implementation, under-
utilization or late utilization of funds. Recommendation: There is need to prioritize and improve data collection
and record keeping to stabilize the process and enable better forecasting and capability monitoring. Conclusion:
Improving process stability should be the first step before meaningful capability analysis can be performed.
Key Words: Variation, Process stability, Approval and funding Time, Cycle Time, Digital Tracking,
INTRODUCTION
The constituency development fund (CDF) is a public fund mechanism, established to accelerate community
development in various constituencies. However, the utilization of the said fund has faced a lot of recurring
challenges in Zambia, for example, underutilisation and bureaucratic delays in approval and funding, leading to
compromised development. In order to address such challenges, it is critical to integrate capability analysis so
as to capture the extent to which variation affects process capability a reality that can never be captured by
qualitative or descriptive assessment only as most studies have demonstrated (Kwilinski and Kardas,
2024).Quantity determines the measurable aspects that give structure to qualities; the manifestation of quality is
inherently linked to its quantifiable aspects. Without quantity, quality remains an abstract concept, elusive and
impractical. Therefore, by grounding the philosophical abstraction of quality in the quantitative reality of process
capability indices, the gap between theory and practice is bridged (Kwilinski and Kardas, 2024).
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