Effect of Project Planning on Project Performance, A Case of Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Small Livestock Markets Project in Rulindo District, Rwanda

Abstract

The research sought to investigate the effect of project planning on project performance in Rwanda, focusing on the case of The Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Small Livestock Market (PRISM) project in Rulindo District. It examined the effect of project communication planning, stakeholder planning, and risk planning on the performance of PRISM  project in this district. The study was guded by stakeholder theory, Organizational information theory, and the theory of constraints. The study employed descriptive and correlational research designs. The target population under this study was 754 and the sample size was 87 respondents. This study employed universal and purposive sampling methods. Purposive sampling also referred to as judgmental or selective sampling, involves the researcher choosing specific individuals from the population based on their judgment. The study used questionnaires and interview and observation guides as research instruments. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as correlation and multiple regression were used to analyze quantitative data after running the collected data through SPSS. In contrast, content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Regarding specific objective one, the results revealed that project communication planning has positive and significant effect PRISM project in Rulindo District as indicated by β1 =0.162, p-value = 0.021<0.05, t = 2.347 which means that an increase of one unity in project communication planning would lead to an increase in performance of PRISM project in Rulindo District by 0.162 units. Regarding the second specific objective, the findings showed that project stakeholder planning has positive and significant effect on the performance of PRISM project in Rulindo District as indicated by β2= 0.295, p-value= 0.000<0.05, t= 3.881 which implies that an increase of one unity in project stakeholder planning would lead to an increase in performance of PRISM project in Rulindo District by 0.295 units. With the third specific objective, the results showed that project risk planning has positive effect but is not statistically significant on the performance of PRISM project in Rulindo District as indicated by β3=0.032, p-value=0.616, t=0.507, the implication is that an increase of one unity in project risk planning would lead to an increase in performance of PRISM project in Rulindo district by 0.032 units. The study concludes that communication planning, stakeholder planning and risk planning significantly contribute to predicting and positively influencing the performance of PRISM Project in Rulindo District. Based on the study's results, it was recommended that PRISM projects foster a culture of active communication and collaboration. This can ensure more inclusive and informed decision-making processes by encouraging open channels for employees, and stakeholders to share ideas, insights, and feedback freely. This participatory also  approach fosters engagement, enables balanced decision-making, and cultivates a collaborative environment that drives better problem-solving, innovation, and overall organizational performance.