Influence Of Strategic Planning Process On Project Performance: A Case Of HIV& AIDS Community Project Implemented By Ack Diocese Of Mount Kenya West, Nyeri, Kenya

Abstract

This study has scrutinized the process of strategic planning to ascertain its influence on the project performance. The success or failure of the strategic planning process was gauged by the extent to which it influences the project performance. The study main goal was to determine how strategic planning process influences the performance of Church initiated community projects. The study used the ACK Diocese of Mt. Kenya West HIV &AIDs Project as the case study. To pursue the above purpose, relevant literature was reviewed in relation to the study variables which includes; the independent variables namely Needs analysis, Objectives setting, Resource allocation and M&E against project performance. Due to the nature of this study, ex-post facto research design and survey were picked to guide it. Project documentation including proposals, quarterly, biannual and annual both narrative and financial reports and monitoring and evaluation reports were reviewed and analyzed to gather secondary data. The study gathered primary data through a survey where the research subjects filled questionnaires. Data was organized and analyzed supported by computer program SPSS version 25 software. On the descriptive statistics analysis, a greater number of the respondents agree to a great extent that all the independent variables are influencing project performance. The study findings from the correlation analysis indicate an existence of a significant influence of strategic planning process on project performance. From the findings it is the conclusion of this study conclude that there is a notable both positive and negative influence on how project is performing caused by the four independent variables. M&E is on the overall indicated to have the most significant positive influence on project performance. It is the recommendations of this study the organizational strategic plans should be fully implemented for successful performance and realization of the organizations goals. Organization including the Church should use already realized successful performances as entry point to new communities where they intend to initiate new projects. Organization should further ensure necessary resource are allocated to the projects for their successful performance and timely completion,