INFLUENCE OF PLANNING ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SELECTED INDEPENDENT FEATURE FILM PROJECTS IN KENYA

Despite the growing significance of Kenya's independent film sector, approximately 68% of feature film projects fail to achieve planned objectives regarding budget, schedule, and quality parameters. Performance challenges manifest through cost overruns averaging 45% above initial budgets, schedule delays exceeding 30% of planned timelines, and quality compromises affecting market reception. These deficiencies result from inadequate planning practices that rely on informal approaches rather than systematic methodologies. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of planning on the performance of selected independent feature film projects in Kenya. The study was anchored on the Theory of Constraints, which posits that system performance is limited by constraining factors or bottlenecks that must be systematically identified and managed. The theory emphasizes that effective planning must address these constraints early to optimize project outcomes, particularly relevant for independent film projects operating with limited resources. A descriptive research design was employed, targeting 79 films classified by the Kenya Film Classification Board in 2022/2023. Using Yamane's formula, a stratified purposive sample of 44 respondents comprising producers, directors, and finance managers was selected. Data collection utilized structured questionnaires with Likert-scale items, achieving a 93.18% response rate with 41 completed questionnaires. Quantitative analysis employed SPSS 20.0 through descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed that while 61.9% of projects involved planning activities, systematic planning tool utilization remained inadequate. Regression analysis confirmed a significant positive relationship between planning and performance (β = 0.491, p < 0.001), with planning explaining 27.7% of performance variation. Performance analysis indicated that 61.9% of projects experienced schedule delays and budget overruns, while 77.1% failed to achieve profitability targets. The study concludes that planning serves as a fundamental driver of performance improvement in independent feature film projects. Projects implementing comprehensive planning practices demonstrate superior outcomes in schedule adherence, budget management, and overall success. However, significant opportunities exist for enhancing systematic planning tool adoption and implementation methodologies. The study recommends that independent film producers implement comprehensive planning frameworks incorporating systematic pre-production activities, detailed script breakdown processes, and integrated financial planning systems to enhance project performance outcomes.