The Contribution of Managerial Succession Planning and Project Performance in Rwanda: A Case Study of RDD Project

This research intended to assess the contribution of managerial succession planning on project performance and was carried out in RDDP projects located in Kacyiru sector- Gasabo district with the following objectives; to assess the contribution of professional development on performance of RDD project, to examine the influence of replacement planning on project performance in RDD project and to assess the effect of succession planning on the performance of RDD project. The researcher reviewed literature related to managerial succession planning and project performance, both theoretical and empirical literature was reviewed, a critical review of existing literature was done to find the gap that needs to be filled by the research as well as the conceptual framework showing the relationship between the two variables. The research design used was descriptive and analytical while the population was 85 employees of RDDP project while the sample size was 70 respondents from the total population selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques. Data collection tools were questionnaires and interviews. The collected was presented using tables and analyzed based on percentages and frequencies. The researcher found out that RDD project carries out managerial succession planning through professional development that is contribution to performance of the project. Therefore there is no doubt that RDD project is performing as a result of managerial succession planning. The researcher concluded that with no doubt project performance is related to managerial succession planning due the benefits that accrue from the project being prepared to replace employees when they go through replacement planning in the project. RDD project is performing as indicated by availability of resources; project reputation, satisfied beneficiaries, project sustainability and committed staff. Managerial succession planning has had an impact on project performance through facilitating attainment of project objectives, it equipped staff with managerial skills, increase in satisfaction of employees, it improves project sustainability. The researcher recommended that the government of the Republic of Rwanda should help projects by providing them with trainings on the benefits of managerial succession planning in projects.