Project Quality Planning And Performance Of Road Construction Projects In Mombasa County, Kenya.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined the effect of project quality planning on the performance of road construction projects in Mombasa County, Kenya. The study sought to establish whether project quality planning, involving the systematic definition of project objectives and scope, structured scheduling and resource planning, stakeholder involvement, flexibility and adaptability, and documentation of quality plans and performance benchmarks, significantly influences the performance of road construction projects.

Methodology: The study was anchored on Systems Theory and employed an explanatory research design. The target population comprised 354 technical and administrative personnel involved in the management of road construction projects in Mombasa County. Proportionate stratified random sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 268 respondents. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires based on a five-point Likert scale. A total of 244 questionnaires were returned, representing a response rate of 91.04%, while 235 valid questionnaires were retained for analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis, with project duration and project size treated as control variables.

Findings: The findings revealed a strong positive and statistically significant relationship between project quality planning and project performance (r = .789, p < .001). Hierarchical regression analysis further established that project quality planning significantly and positively influenced project performance (β = .310, p < .001). The explanatory power of the regression model increased from 15.8% in Model 1, comprising project duration and project size, to 67.2% after the inclusion of project quality planning, representing an increase of 51.4 percentage points in explained variance. Project size (β = .147, p < .001) and project duration (β = .125, p = .001) also had significant positive effects on project performance.

Conclusion: The study concluded that project quality planning is an important determinant of the performance of road construction projects in Mombasa County. Systematic definition of quality objectives, comprehensive scheduling and resource planning, stakeholder involvement, adaptive planning, and effective documentation of quality requirements can contribute to improved project performance. Strengthening quality planning practices can therefore support better cost efficiency, timely completion, and stakeholder satisfaction in road construction projects.

Value: The study contributes to Systems Theory by demonstrating how project quality planning functions as an integrated process through which project objectives, resources, standards, stakeholder requirements, and implementation activities are coordinated to influence project outputs. The findings provide practical insights for government departments, project managers, engineers, contractors, quantity surveyors, and other road construction stakeholders on strengthening quality planning practices to improve project performance in Kenya.