WATERFALL PROJECT PLANNING APPROACH AND PERFORMANCE OF FLAGSHIP TURNKEY ELECTRICAL PROJECTS IN KENYA

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the waterfall planning approach and performance of flagship turnkey electrical projects in Kenya, with the aim of establishing the influence waterfall planning approach on the performance of turnkey electrical projects in Kenya. Theoretical Framework: In this topic, the complexity theory, the stakeholder theory and the principal – agent theory that underpin the research are presented. These theories stand out, providing a solid basis for understanding the context of the investigation. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises correlational design to establish the relationship between the planning approach and project performance indicators without manipulating variables. The unit of analysis is the 15 major turnkey projects executed in the electric power transmission and distribution in Kenya in the last 18 years. The unit of observation being the 55 project management team members that include project managers, projects engineers, project finance specialists drawn from the 15 turnkey projects making 55 respondents. The study utilised the census method by targeting the identified respondents and collecting data using a structured questionnaire and conducting key informant interviews. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed a strong positive correlation of the planning approach with the performance of turnkey electrical projects (0.715 (p < 0.01). The regression revealed that Waterfall explained 51.1% of the variance in the project performance (R² = 0.511, Adjusted R² = 0.499), and an unstandardized coefficient value of 0.773 (p < 0.001), which means one-unit adoption of Waterfall increased performance by 0.773 units. The ANOVA outcome confirmed the model significance (F = 44.910, p = 0.000). from these results it can be concluded that the waterfall planning approach has high influence of turnkey project performance outcomes. In the discussion section, these results are contextualized in light of the theoretical framework, highlighting the implications and relationships identified. Possible discrepancies and limitations of the study are also considered in this section. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing insights into how the results can be applied or influence practices in the field of project planning for flagship turnkey projects. These implications could encompass project planning approaches for major infrastructure projects with complex technical components and those implemented in the built environment. Originality/Value: This study contributes to project management theory by providing empirical support for the use and suitability of Waterfall methods in turnkey electrical projects. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by the need to integrate a tailored waterfall project planning approach to optimize performance of turnkey electrical projects. The waterfall planning methodology should be applied in project phases or projects requiring adaptability, such as those involving new technology or ambiguous site conditions. The findings of the study and recommendations for policy, practice and future research are shared.