PROJECT PLANNING UNVEILED: DECODING ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN SHAPING PROJECT SUCCESS - A CASE OF THE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND (SDF) IN KIGALI, RWANDA

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8184120

Authors

  • Shenhar, A. J., Project Management department, School of Graduate Studies, University of Kigali, Rwanda.
  • Milosevic, D., Project Management department, School of Graduate Studies, University of Kigali, Rwanda.
  • Dvir, D School of Business Managements and Economics, Finance and accounting department3 University of Kigali, Rwanda.

Keywords:

Project management, developing countries, project planning, project success, economic development

Abstract

In the context of contemporary global development efforts, projects have emerged as pivotal tools for advancing societal and economic progress, particularly within developing countries. This surge in project engagement across diverse sectors and industries underscores their instrumental role in alleviating challenges such as poverty, inadequate healthcare, and unemployment prevalent in rural settings of many developing nations. As underscored by Maylor et al. (2006), the growth of project work has been remarkable, laying the foundation for enhanced social and economic well-being. Project management, as a discipline, orchestrates the seamless flow of requisite knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques into project activities to ensure the fulfillment of project objectives (Project Management Institute [PMI], 2004). The achievement of project success hinges on a spectrum of management practices, ranging from meticulous project planning to vigilant control and eventual closure. Effective project planning, in particular, emerges as a cornerstone of project success, fostering the creation of comprehensive project plans that serve as roadmaps during project execution (Gray & Larson, 2008). The evolution of project planning principles and methodologies traces back to the 1960s and 1970s, when governmental bodies, like the Department of Defense and NASA, along with major corporations, harnessed project planning practices to manage complex, budget-bound, time-sensitive endeavors. This momentum was carried forward in the 1980s as educational institutions adopted sophisticated project management practices, culminating in widespread acceptance across industries and organizations by the 1990s (Patric, 2007). However, it is crucial to acknowledge the potential pitfalls of overplanning, which were evidenced by the failures of projects such as the Australian submarine and Iridium satellite initiatives due to excessive early-stage detailing (Collyer et al., 2010). This calls for adaptable planning practices that can thrive in dynamic environments. Notably, in developing countries like Ghana, project planning is hailed as a strategic instrument for realizing developmental objectives and fueling economic growth (Othman et al., 2005). Examining the nexus between project management practices and project outcomes, Nalianya's (2018) study on agricultural projects by community-based organizations in Kenya found a positive correlation between planning and project performance. Additionally, project monitoring, evaluation, and communication were revealed as factors influencing project success. The Skills Development Fund (SDF) established in Rwanda in 2012 serves as a case study of the transformative power of projects. Facilitated through a collaboration between the Rwandan government and the World Bank, the SDF focuses on bridging skills gaps, fostering employment, enhancing production and innovation, and combating poverty through training-backed educational initiatives. This venture has yielded substantial advancements in various business domains, catalyzing Rwanda's social and economic metamorphosis. In conclusion, projects stand as formidable instruments for driving development, particularly within developing countries. The multifaceted realm of project management, spanning planning, execution, and evaluation, plays a pivotal role in shaping project success and ushering in positive societal changes.

Published

2023-08-10

How to Cite

Shenhar, A. J., Milosevic, D., & Dvir, D. (2023). PROJECT PLANNING UNVEILED: DECODING ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN SHAPING PROJECT SUCCESS - A CASE OF THE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND (SDF) IN KIGALI, RWANDA. Interdisciplinary Journal of Linguistics, Marketing and Communication (IJLMC), 10(3), 41–66. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8184120

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 3 (2023): July - September

Section

Original Peer Review Articles
Copyright & Licensing

Copyright (c) 2023 Interdisciplinary Journal of Linguistics, Marketing and Communication (IJLMC)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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