The Influence of Planning on Project Success in Rwanda-A Case of Soma Umenye Project

The purpose of this research was to assess the influence of planning on the success of projects and was carried out in Soma Umenye project as the case study with the following objectives, to identify the effect of coordination of activities on success of Soma Umenye project, to examine the influence of resource mobilization on the success of Soma Umenye project and to assess the contribution of activity scheduling on the success of Soma Umenye project. The researcher reviewed both theoretical and empirical literature related to the influence of planning on the success of projects, a conceptual framework showing the relationship between the two variables was done as well as a critical review showing the gap that needs to be filled by the research. The research design used was descriptive and analytical while the population was 65 employees of Soma Umenye project and the sample size was 56. Sampling techniques used were purposive and simple random. Data collection tools were questionnaires and interviews. The collected data was presented using tables and analyzed based on percentages and frequencies. The researcher found out that planning in Soma Umenye project has multiple benefits that are all focused towards success of the project which means that project success is an important factor in the success of projects, it is through planning that the project is able to put its resources together and planning makes the project activities move smoothly in an organized way that is able to effect success and respondents contacted revealed that planning in the project has multiple benefits that are likely to contribute to the project success and that there is a positive relationship between project planning and project success. the plans scheduled in Soma Umenye project are strategic plans, short terms plans, intermediate plans, implementation and evaluations plans. The plans scheduled have helped Soma Umenye project to succeed through streamlining the project activities, putting resources in order and facilitating the project planning and implementation. The researcher concluded that the plans scheduled in Soma Umenye project are strategic plans, short terms plans, intermediate plans, implementation and evaluations plans. The plans scheduled have helped Soma Umenye project to succeed through streamlining the project activities, putting resources in order and facilitating the project planning and implementation. The researcher recommended that Soma Umenye project should continue carrying out planning because it is important in effecting project success.