The Role of Effective Planning on Performance of Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project in Kanzenze Cell in Bugesera District, Rwanda

Abstract

Effective planning is a crucial for the success of any project, as it helps to define objectives, allocate resources and develop strategies to achieve goals. This study aimed to examine the role of effective planning on performance of Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project implemented in Kanzenze cell in Bugesera district in Rwanda. The research achieved the following specific objectives: To determine the role of project scope planning on performance of Kigali Bulk Water Supply project in Kanzenze cell, to assess the role of budget planning on performance of Kigali Bulk Water Supply project in Kanzenze cell, to assess the role of effective communication planning on performance of Kigali Bulk Water Supply project in Kanzenze cell and to determine the role of risk management planning on performance of Kigali Bulk Water Supply project in Kanzenze cell. The study was done through descriptive and correlational research design that involved inferential statistics approach which used in the test of correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis for the establishment of the relationship between effective planning and project performance. The study was guided by three theories which are resource-based view theory, contingency theory and stakeholder theory. As far as this study is concerned, the study relied on the data collected from the respondents for the period of two months from July to August 2023. The population was comprised of respondents of Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project in different departments targeting 200 respondents. The study adopted simple random sampling technique and used Slovin’ s Formula to obtain the sample from the study population and the sample size were 133 respondents. Data collection method adopted was closed ended questionnaires. The correlation and regression analysis were performed in SPSS version 27 and through analysis and discussion of results, the researcher found that risk management planning has a positive and significant effect on performance of Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project in Kanzenze cell (b4=0.835; t=19.135, p-value=.000<.05),the research finding also revealed that project scope planning has a positive and significant effect on performance of Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project in Kanzenze cell (b₁=0.437; t=10.301; p-value=.000<.05). Lastly, the research finding revealed that budget planning has a positive and significant effect on performance of Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project in Kanzenze cell (b₂=0.315; t=8.537; p-value=.000<.05). The researcher found that risk management planning, project scope planning and budget planning are best predictors and have a significant effect on performance of Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project. The study recommended that management of Kigali Bulk Water Supply Project should put more emphasis on providing the adequate training towards the effective planning processes in the development of water treatment plants to ensure that the project team are aware of all necessary procedures that has to be undertaken in the planning phase so that the project performance can be achieved effectively. The researcher further recommended that project manager should communicate effectively with the project team and stakeholders throughout the project life cycle to ensure that any risks and circumstances that can hinder the progress of the water treatment plant projects are identified early and mitigation measures are provided to ensure that the project will not incur budget overruns and will be completed on time and this will foster the economic growth of the government in the construction sector.