EFFECT OF PROJECT INITIATION ON PERFORMANCE OF ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN RWANDA. CASE STUDY OF KICUKIRO DISTRICT

Energy infrastructure projects play a pivotal role in shaping the economic and social development of nations, particularly in emerging economies like Rwanda. Effective project initiation, encompassing the identification, planning, and launch phases, is a critical determinant of project success. This study aims to investigate the impact of project initiation on the performance of energy infrastructure projects in Rwanda, with a focus on the energy sector's pivotal role in the nation's sustainable development. The study employed a research design characterized as descriptive survey research. The study sample consisted of 124 individuals that are currently employed as project workers at Rwanda Energy Group. The research employed a census methodology. The principal tools utilized for data collection in this project consist of questionnaires that utilize a five-point Likert scale format, comprising of closed-ended questions. Various sources were utilized to gather secondary data, whereas the participants were requested to diligently respond to the offered questionnaires in order to obtain the necessary information. A preliminary inquiry was conducted, utilizing a sample size including 13 participants. The evaluation of reliability was conducted utilizing Cronbach's Alpha. The assessment of instrument validity was conducted by a panel of subject matter experts in the field of project management who has expertise in the specific area under investigation. The data analysis involved the utilization of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, employing the SPSS software version 21. The results of the correlation analysis provide valuable insights into the relationship between different phases of project management and the performance of energy infrastructure projects in Rwanda. Specifically, the statistically significant positive correlation between project initiation and project performance (r = 0.411, p < 0.01). The regression analysis conducted in this study aimed to examine the impact of project initiation on the performance of energy infrastructure projects in Rwanda. The model revealed that project initiation significantly influences project performance, as evidenced by an R-squared value of 0.169, indicating that project initiation explains 16.9% of the variation in the performance of energy infrastructure projects. The ANOVA results further support the model's significance, with an F-statistic of 19.909 and a p-value of < 0.001, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis (HO1). The regression equation, Performance of energy infrastructure projects = 2.333 + 0.468 Project initiation, demonstrates that for every one-unit increase in project initiation, there is a corresponding increase of 0.468 units in project performance. The standardized coefficient (Beta) of 0.411 underscores the importance of project initiation in explaining variations in project performance. Thus, this analysis underscored the substantial impact of project initiation on energy infrastructure project performance, indicating that higher levels of project initiation are associated with improved project outcomes in Rwanda. Respondents exhibited a remarkable consensus, with an overwhelming majority strongly concurring on various aspects of project initiation. Particularly noteworthy is the unanimous recognition of the pivotal role of project design in specifying commercial and technical terms, signifying its fundamental purpose. Similarly, the substantial agreement regarding the need for realistic and attainable project scopes and milestones underscores their crucial importance. The strong emphasis on feasibility studies and the delineation of stakeholder responsibilities further solidifies the central role of well-defined stakeholder roles. Additionally, the high regard for performance measurement standards and comprehensive project scopes highlights their critical contribution to project initiation. Keywords: Project initiation, Project management process, Energy infrastructure projects, Rwanda CITATION : Kanyesigye, N., & Njenga, S. G. (2023). Effect of project initiation on performance of energy infrastructure projects in Rwanda. Case study of Kicukiro District. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 10 (4), 638 – 650. http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v10i4.2779.