- 2067 Asar (old course) · 8 marks
PMIS objectives and information channels
Short answer
PMIS is a system of tools, techniques, people, procedures and software that collects, stores, processes and distributes project information for planning, monitoring and decision making. Objectives are timely accurate information, monitoring progress/cost/quality, better communication, and complete records. Channels include formal vertical, horizontal, informal, written, oral and electronic, chosen by speed, record need, cost, distance and importance.
Define Project Management Information System (PMIS), stating the objectives of PMIS. Explain the various choices of information channel in a project.
Definition
Project Management Information System (PMIS) is a system of tools, techniques, people, procedures and software that collects, stores, processes and distributes project information to the people who need it, so that planning, monitoring and decision making are timely and accurate.
Objectives of PMIS
- Provide correct and timely information to managers for decisions.
- Support planning, scheduling, budgeting and resource allocation.
- Monitor progress, cost and quality against the plan and find variances early.
- Improve communication and coordination between the client, consultant, contractor and other stakeholders.
- Keep complete records and reports (progress, cost, changes, risks, lessons learned).
- Reduce paperwork, delay and duplication of data.
- Help to forecast cost, time and resource needs.
Choices of information channel
Top management
^ reports | instructions
Project manager <------+
^ ^ horizontal (coordination)
Section heads <---> Section heads
^ reports
Site staff
| Channel | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Formal vertical (downward) | Orders, plans and policies from top to bottom | Work order, instruction letter |
| Formal vertical (upward) | Progress and problem reports from site to management | Weekly progress report |
| Horizontal / lateral | Between people or departments at the same level | Design and construction team meeting |
| Informal | Unofficial talk and the grapevine | Site talk, tea-break discussion |
| Written | Permanent record with legal value | Letters, minutes, drawings, reports |
| Oral / meetings | Quick and two-way | Site meeting, phone call |
| Electronic | Fast sharing of large amounts of data | Email, project software, shared drive, MIS dashboard |
The channel is chosen according to the speed needed, the need for a record, the cost, the distance between people and the importance of the message. Important instructions are given in writing, while daily coordination is done orally or electronically.
✓ Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort)
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