Stakeholder Needs Identification and High School Kitchen Construction Project Performance in Kirehe District

Nadine Munezero & Gathiru, M. K.
Mount Kigali University, Rwanda
Email: joynady666@gmail.com

Abstract: This study examined the contribution of stakeholders’ needs identification to the performance of high school kitchen construction projects in Kirehe District, Rwanda, with a focus on timeliness, cost efficiency, and construction quality. A mixed-methods cross-sectional design was adopted, incorporating quantitative data from structured questionnaires administered to project managers, contractors, school representatives, and qualitative insights from key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using correlation and regression techniques, with significance set at p < 0.01. Findings revealed strong positive correlations between stakeholder management dimensions and project performance. Stakeholder needs identification showed the strongest association (r = 0.962), followed by communication (r = 0.950), participation (r = 0.942), and conflict management (r = 0.892). Regression results indicated that stakeholder needs identification alone explained 92.6% of the variance in project performance, highlighting its central role in ensuring successful outcomes. Schools that actively engaged stakeholders achieved higher project completion rates, improved construction quality, and greater satisfaction among stakeholders. The study concludes that effective stakeholder needs identification significantly enhances the performance of high school kitchen construction projects in Kirehe District. It is recommended that institutionalizing structured stakeholder needs identification from the planning phase, supported by clear mechanisms for capturing, communicating, and integrating stakeholder expectations to strengthen participation, trust, and overall project success.