---
title: "PMIS objectives and information channels"
subject: "Project Engineering"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_7/project_engineering:pmis-definition-objectives-channels"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/pmis-definition-objectives-channels
site: BCT Engineering
---

# PMIS objectives and information channels

Project Engineering · Chapter 4: Project Implementation and Controlling

- Asked in: 2067 Asar (old course), 8 marks
- Video: [Introduction to Project Management Information System | PMIS | PMP Training | Invensis Learning](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRUJxiQfGnk) — Invensis Learning
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/pmis-definition-objectives-channels
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-4

## Question

Define Project Management Information System (PMIS), stating the objectives of PMIS. Explain the various choices of information channel in a project.

## 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.

## Answer

#### 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

1. Provide correct and timely information to managers for decisions.
2. Support planning, scheduling, budgeting and resource allocation.
3. Monitor progress, cost and quality against the plan and find variances early.
4. Improve communication and coordination between the client, consultant, contractor and other stakeholders.
5. Keep complete records and reports (progress, cost, changes, risks, lessons learned).
6. Reduce paperwork, delay and duplication of data.
7. Help to forecast cost, time and resource needs.

#### Choices of information channel

```text
 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.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. What is a PMIS?
   A. A system that collects, stores, processes and distributes project information for timely planning, monitoring and decisions
   B. A software only for drawing
   C. A payment scheme for contractors
   D. A site safety rule
   Answer: A. PMIS is a system of tools, procedures, people and software that handles project information. (Key point: Definition of PMIS)

2. Which is an objective of PMIS?
   A. Increase paperwork
   B. Monitor progress, cost and quality against plan and find variances early
   C. Delay reporting
   D. Reduce communication
   Answer: B. PMIS gives correct, timely information, monitors performance and improves communication while reducing paperwork and duplication. (Key point: Objective of PMIS)

3. A weekly progress report from site to management is which channel?
   A. Formal vertical (downward)
   B. Horizontal
   C. Formal vertical (upward)
   D. Informal
   Answer: C. Reports and problems flowing from site up to management use the formal upward vertical channel. (Key point: Upward channel)

4. How should important instructions be communicated?
   A. Orally only
   B. In writing, because it gives a permanent record with legal value
   C. By grapevine
   D. Not communicated
   Answer: B. The channel depends on speed, record need, cost and importance; important instructions go in writing. (Key point: Choosing a channel)

## Related in Project Engineering

- [Short note: PMIS](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Apmis-short-note) — Project Engineering, chapter 4, asked 4×
- [PMIS importance for coordination](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Apmis-importance-coordination) — Project Engineering, chapter 4
- [Task environment influence on project objectives](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Atask-environment-influence-objectives) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Monitoring, evaluation, control must; PMIS](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Amonitoring-evaluation-control-must-pmis) — Project Engineering, chapter 4
- [Types of projects; effect of project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-types-effect-of-management) — Project Engineering, chapter 1
- [Project vs traditional management; external environment](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-vs-traditional-mgmt-external-env) — Project Engineering, chapter 1

## Related in other subjects

- [Project management information system](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Apmis) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [System view of project management](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Asystem-view-three-parts) — ICT Project Management, chapter 5
- [Information in a project charter](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Acharter-information) — ICT Project Management, chapter 7
- [Entropy, information and channel capacity](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fdata_communication%3Ainformation-entropy-capacity) — Data Communication, chapter 8