Midterm Review Repot of Strategic Plan 2008-2012

Abstract

Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) embraced the concept of strategic planning in 1989. To date, four strategic plans have been developed and implemented by KEFRI. The current Strategic Plan 2008-2012 is the fourth and had been implemented for two years. For effective and efficient monitoring and evaluation of the implementation process, strategic plans are ideally supported by medium term plans. Despite KEFRI not having developed a medium term plan as a companion-planning tool for the Strategic Plan, the institute's management decided to undertake an internal midterm review (MTR) of the progress of implementation of the fourth strategic plan to determine if targets were being met for the set period. The MTR assessed progress made during the first two years of the plan, while recommending the way forward for the remaining period. This report presents findings of the MTR of KEFRI's 2008 - 2012 Strategic Plan. Terms of reference for review of the KEFRI 2008 - 2012 Strategic Plan were to: • Evaluate the midterm status of implementation of the KEFRI Strategic Plan 2008 - 2012; • Analyse the extent to which the relevant emerging issues were addressed; • Provide conclusions and recommendations; and • Submit a written report on the MTR of the KEFRI 2008 - 2012 Strategic Plan to KEFRI management. The MTR involved a detailed analysis of the current Strategic Plan covering activities from 2008 to 2010. The methods used in data collection included review of relevant documents, and interviews. Findings were presented in an internal workshop consisting of KEFRI senior management staff, selected scientists and some members of the Board of Management. Comments raised during the workshop were incorporated in the Midterm Review report. Vision Although the review found that KEFRI's Vision was still valid for guiding the core business of the Institute, it was suggested that it should focus more on beneficiaries and be re-worded in keeping with current trends. It is thus proposed that the Vision henceforth reads: "A centre of excellence in forest science through technology development, deployment and dissemination of scientific information for improved livelihoods."