Strategic Planning Practices At Diakonia And Forum Syd Kenya Country Offices

Abstract

According to the National council of NGOs the number of NGOs operating in Kenya has increased from 500 in 1992 to 7083 in 2014. The increase of NGOs has not been matched by an increase in the volume of donations, this has resulted to intense competition by the NGOs for the limited resources available through donations and this has resulted to NGOs developing new marketing strategies such as strategic planning practices to increase donor confidence. The objective of this study was to determine the strategic planning practices at Diakonia and Forum Syd Kenya country offices and to determine the factors for effective strategic planning. It sought out to add knowledge on existing literature on strategic planning by examining strategic planning as practiced by Diakonia and Forum Syd Kenya country offices. The study adopted a case study research design which was deemed appropriate because it involves a thorough examination of social units or a phenomenon and also it offers an exhaustive understanding of the social units or phenomenon under study. Primary data was obtained using interview guides that were administered to the respondents who at Diakonia were the country manager and a program officer while at Forum Syd it was administered to two program officers. Secondary data was obtained from printed records and information posted on the websites of Diakonia and Forum Syd. The study found out that strategic planning is practiced at both Diakonia and Forum Syd Kenya country office and that they have adopted the vision, mission and strategic objectives that are developed at their head office. The study established that at Diakonia a global strategic plan is developed at the head office which acts as a guideline for country offices to develop their own strategic plans while at Forum Syd the country office develops its strategic plan with the help of a consultant, however the head office issues guidelines. In both organizations the strategic process is an all-inclusive process as it also involves input from all stakeholders in setting the strategic objectives of the organizations. The study also identified key factors that influence effective strategic planning practices at Diakonia and Forum Syd Kenya country offices, they included: a detailed contextual analysis, inclusion of key stakeholders in the strategic planning process, adequate communication, manager’s skills and experience in strategic planning, learning from best practices and setting of clear priorities and an implementation plan. The study recommends that Diakonia and Forum Syd should come up with reward policies that will motivate the stakeholders to achieve the strategic objectives, this will create a strong sense of ownership, unity of purpose and accountability in the people making them to support the strategic plan implementation. The study also recommends that Diakonia and Forum Syd Kenya country offices should consider diversifying their funding base so that they can reduce their over reliance on their traditional donors, they should also consider establishing income generating activities to supplement the donor funds.