---
title: "Short note: PMIS"
subject: "Project Engineering"
chapter: 4
key: "semester_7/project_engineering:pmis-short-note"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/pmis-short-note
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Short note: PMIS

Project Engineering · Chapter 4: Project Implementation and Controlling

- Asked in: 2073 Shrawan, 5 marks; 2068 Baisakh (old course), 8 marks; 2065 Shrawan (old course), 4 marks; 2082 Baisakh, 2 marks (asked 4 times)
- Video: [What is a PMIS? (Project Management Information System) - PMBOK Key Concepts](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvl8UkUvHiA) — David McLachlan
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/project_engineering/pmis-short-note
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/project_engineering/chapter-4

## Question

Write a short note on Project Management Information System (PMIS).

## Short answer

PMIS is an organized manual or computer-based system of people, procedures, data and tools that collects, stores, processes and reports project information for planning, monitoring and control. It gives the right information to the right person at the right time and supports progress/cost tracking, variance analysis, early warning, document control and decisions. Example: highway site data produces weekly progress, cost and variance reports.

## Answer

**Project Management Information System (PMIS)** is an organised system (manual or computer-based) of people, procedures, data and tools that collects, stores, processes and reports information needed by project managers to plan, monitor and control a project. It gives the right information, to the right person, at the right time, in the right form.

#### Components
- **Data input:** site reports, measurement books, labour and equipment logs, material receipts, bills, test results, drawings.
- **Database:** schedules, budget, cost records, resource and contract data, risk register.
- **Processing tools:** spreadsheets, scheduling software (MS Project, Primavera), cost and EVA software.
- **Output reports:** progress, variance, cost, resource, quality and exception reports, dashboards.
- **People and procedures:** reporting formats, frequency, responsibilities.

#### Functions
- Planning and scheduling support; progress and cost tracking.
- Variance and trend analysis; forecasting of final cost and date.
- Early warning of problems (exception reporting).
- Document control and communication among client, consultant and contractor.
- Support for decisions, claims, and audit.

```text
Site data -> Collect -> Store (database) -> Process
                                              |
Decision <- Reports/Dashboard <- Analyse <----+
   |
   +--> Corrective action --> Site
```

#### Benefits
- Faster and better decisions with accurate, current data.
- Better coordination and communication.
- Early detection of delay and overrun.
- Less paperwork; reliable records for evaluation and claims.

#### Example
On a highway project the site engineer enters daily quantities of earthwork and bitumen, the store keeper enters material stock, and the accountant enters bills. The PMIS prints a weekly report showing physical progress (% complete), cost to date, and variance against the baseline, so that the manager can see which section is behind and act the same week.

## Check yourself

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

1. What is a PMIS?
   A. A bank accounting system
   B. A contract document
   C. An organised system of people, procedures, data and tools giving managers the information to plan, monitor and control
   D. Only scheduling software
   Answer: C. PMIS collects, stores, processes and reports project information, manual or computer-based. (Key point: Definition of PMIS)

2. Which is NOT a component of PMIS in the answer?
   A. Output reports
   B. Data input
   C. Database
   D. Land acquisition
   Answer: D. The components are data input, database, processing tools, output reports, and people and procedures. (Key point: Components)

3. Which PMIS function gives early warning of problems?
   A. Bill printing
   B. Exception reporting
   C. Drawing storage
   D. Document filing
   Answer: B. Exception reports flag deviations early so action can be taken before delays or overruns grow. (Key point: Early warning)

4. What is a key benefit of PMIS?
   A. Eliminates the need for planning
   B. Removes all delays
   C. Faster, better decisions with accurate current data
   D. Replaces the contractor
   Answer: C. Accurate and timely data supports better decisions, coordination and early detection of delay. (Key point: Benefit)

## Related in Project Engineering

- [PMIS objectives and information channels](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Apmis-definition-objectives-channels) — Project Engineering, chapter 4
- [PMIS importance for coordination](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Apmis-importance-coordination) — Project Engineering, chapter 4
- [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
- [Project management and its functions](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fproject_engineering%3Aproject-management-and-functions) — 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
- [Restaurant information system requirements](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fsoftware_engineering%3Arestaurant-requirements) — Software Engineering, chapter 1