Impact Of Strategy Implementation On Performance At Kenya Urban Roads Authority

Abstract

Strategic planning is a concept that concerns decision making as organizations seek to craft the best strategies to achieve their vision. Strategies chosen must be implemented effectively and efficiently in order to achieve strategic objectives set. The purpose of the study was to establish what strategy implementation approaches are used by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority and how strategy implementation has impacted on performance of the organization. The study adopted case study research design and targeted senior management from various departments and members of the strategic planning secretariat. The study used both primary and secondary data to gather the required information. Primary data was collected from respondents using a structured interview guide while secondary data was collected from desk review of documentation available at the Kenya Urban Roads Authority. The data was analyzed using content analysis. The study found out that strategic planning is coordinated by the department of planning and environment led by the General Manager. Kenya Urban Roads Authority carries out environmental scanning using SWOT and PESTEL analysis to inform its strategic planning process. Stakeholders are also consulted in strategic planning. Chosen strategies are implemented by breaking them into more detailed implementation matrix and work plans which contain periodical targets that are allocated resources through a budget. Individual targets are drawn from the main implementation matrix and cascaded to all staff members for implementation. The study established factors affecting strategy implementation to be inadequate funding, inadequate capacity both internal and industry capacity, ecological factors as well social political factors. The study found out that Kenya Urban Roads Authority carries out monitoring of the strategy implementation by monitoring the implementation matrix. Performance measurement tools used include comparison of Actual to standards, performance contracting, staff performance appraisal as well as benchmarking with peers. The study concludes that strategy implementation has improved performance at the Kenya urban roads authority as demonstrated through improved operational efficiency and improved decision making. The study also concludes that performance has been improved though customer and stakeholder satisfaction. The study recommended that plans should be reviewed continuously to ensure targets remain realistic during the financial year. The study further recommends involvement of lower cadre staff in strategy formulation to ensure ownership of chosen strategies by all staff as this will ensure effective implementation and improve performance further.