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A Complete Guide to PMIS

An abundance of information is created, transferred and stored over the project management life cycle. Without a way to organize the documentation that’s produced, your project may be doomed to fail. That’s when PMIS comes in, an acronym for project management information systems. A PMIS enables an organized and controlled flow of information so nothing is siphoned off or misplaced.

Project management software that’s collaborative and offers unlimited file storage, such as ProjectManager , is a given. Our tool can organize your documents and make them accessible to the project team on any of our multiple project views. For example, the list view allows teams to share files and comment on tasks in real time to foster better communication. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.

What Is PMIS?

A project management information system (PMIS) is how a project’s information is organized. It collects and uses project information through one or more software applications. These programs help project managers plan , execute and close their projects and allow them to organize the flood of information so they aren’t drowning in data.

There are different types of PMIS software but most share feature sets that include tools for scheduling, work authorization, information collection and distribution, etc. Some also have automated gathering and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) while others are simply a collection of files.

What Is a PMIS Used For?

A PMIS is made to support all aspects of project management including the information that’s necessary to monitor or collect. This includes integration management, project scope management , project cost management, project time management, project quality management, project communications management, project risk management, project procurement management and project stakeholder management.

Essential Features of a PMIS

That’s a lot of information to keep track of, and when managing a project, it’s crucial to be able to immediately pluck the required information from all that data. A PMIS is an important tool that gives you instant access to the signal in the noise. The information is also critical for future projects to help reduce risk, improve efficiencies and estimate costs .

If a PMIS captures all project data and stores it in an organized way, it must also be retrievable, searchable, categorizable, shareable and analyzable. To achieve this, a typical PMIS has a series of tools.

• Project Scheduling : Computes early and late schedules, slack times and the critical path
• Project Resource Management : Includes resource loading, leveling, allocation, etc.
• Project Budgeting : Costs associated with individual tasks for more accurate budget estimation and generation.
• Project Tracking : Analyze and control cost and performance, update existing plans as actual against planned data changes and provide what-if scenarios for the project manager.
• Project Reports : Creation of graphs, reports and charts of collected and analyzed data that can be shared with stakeholders and team members.
• Integrations : Some PMIS will access data from different projects for multi-project analysis, integrating with other systems, such as payroll, inventory, etc. The easier a PMIS is to use, the less time and money required to train.

How Does PMIS Work Throughout the Project Life Cycle?

A PMIS has different functions depending on the phase of the project. At a basic level, a PMIS should offer the possibility to track your project scope, time and costs. A robust PMIS should include a wide variety of project management software features you can use as you go through your project life cycle.

ProjectManager has advanced resource management, time tracking, work management and project management features that you need from a PMIS plus real-time collaboration features, dashboards, reporting and more. Here’s how you can use an advanced PMIS to manage your project life cycle .

Project Initiation

During the initiation phase , a project manager uses a PMIS to establish a preliminary budget including cost estimates and resources. A PMIS used in conjunction with other tools can help schedule the project. In terms of approval, a PMIS helps to define the scope of work, assists with preparing the bid and can be used when presenting data to decision-makers.

Project Planning

When planning a project, PMIS helps with scheduling details including task and critical path analysis. It supports cost management planning including WBS analysis and integration of control processes. PMIS also proves beneficial to the project manager when resource planning in terms of availability and level. It can also help establish a baseline for project scope, schedule and cost.

Project Execution

Once the project has been executed, the PMIS collects, organizes and stores data as it comes in from the project team. This data can then be compared to the baseline projections. The PMIS helps with cost and schedule forecasts to determine if changes are required mid-project. Materials management, cost collection, performance measurement and, of course, reporting are all supported by PMIS.

Project Monitoring & Control

A PMIS should have all the cost management, resource planning , task management and time tracking features you need to make sure the project execution is going as planned and nothing affects your project schedule or budget. In case an issue does affect your project plan, you can use a PMIS to find all the information you need to mitigate that risk and adjust your project plan.

Project Closure

Especially when closing out a project , a PMIS is a great help. It helps review requirements to make sure the project has met all its goals and objectives. It also organizes the information collected over the course of the project for performance review, productivity analysis, final reports and keeps an archive of historical data for future projects.

Advantages of Using an Online PMIS

While there are manual project management information systems, the benefits of using an online or cloud-based system are numerous. With an online project management information system, the speed, capacity, efficiency, economy, accuracy and the ability to handle complex projects are supported. Of all these benefits, speed is the most practical.

Related: 20 Free Project Management Templates for Excel

Once the data is collected, it can then be adjusted to reflect the results a project manager needs with great speed and accuracy. A manual program is never going to match that nor can it create and revise project documents , plans, schedules or budgets as quickly. What once took days or longer is now completed in a matter of seconds.

Project managers and their organizations can store large amounts of data with a PMIS. That data is also easily accessed, prioritized and summarized as needed. And unlike a manual system which is large and requires many support personnel, an online PMIS requires far less support and space.

With these factors, there’s also a cost-benefit. The cost advantage of digital over a manual PMIS is usually significant, especially when considering storage and processing. And if inputs are correct, the chance of errors greatly diminishes with a cloud-based PMIS.

Try ProjectManager as Your PMIS

ProjectManager is project management software with the features to make a great PMIS. The real-time dashboard gives an up-to-date view of project metrics, crunching numbers for you and creating vivid and easy-to-read charts and graphs that can be printed out for presentations or shared digitally. They can also be filtered to reflect just the data you need to show to your team or stakeholder.

Unlimited Project File Storage

Because the software is cloud-based, there’s a great deal of file store to archive your documents, images and other files. Now they’re all in one place, which keeps them safe, organized and accessible when you want them.

Efficient Task Management

Communications between team members are also saved, but they’re not on email or lost in a long text narrative, both of which can waste valuable time searching for the right piece of information. Instead, with ProjectManager, those conversations are organized at the task level using our task management tools, including attaching the relevant documents, so everyone knows where to find them.

PMIS is essential to manage the massive amounts of data that swarm around every project. ProjectManager is a cloud-based project management software that has the features a project manager needs to collect, organize, analyze and archive all that information. It’s easy to use and the whole team can collaborate. What are you waiting for? Try ProjectManager for free with this 30-day trial.

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Why you need a Research Information Management System (RIMS)

Research leaders: take a close look and discover the benefits of a RIMS.

Universities operate in an increasingly complex and competitive environment. To thrive, you need data and a system that provides insights into your research and helps you:

Advance research performance

Grow global reputation

Expand funding streams

Enable collaboration – especially international

"Centralizing all of the university’s research on [a RIMS] not only helps facilitate our ability to make better strategic decisions as an organization, it has propelled the institution to new heights of visibility that were not possible without this tool."

Vice President (Research & Technology), City University of Hong Kong

Download this guide in PDF opens in new tab/window

What is a research information management system (RIMS), also known as a CRIS?

Research Information Management Systems are commonly referred to by a few names and acronyms, including RIMS, Current Research Information Systems or CRIS. These systems increase the efficiency and effectiveness of research information management activities by integrating and linking the various elements and processes that comprise the research ecosystem. They also centrally store related data for analysis, reporting, and research promotion activities.

Learn more about Pure – Elsevier’s RIMS

What is research information management?

To understand the tools that help research information management, let’s quickly review what it is.

According to  OCLC opens in new tab/window :

Research information management is the aggregation, curation, and utilization of information about research.

Does this sound simple? Given the complexity and the challenges in the research ecosystem, managing data created during just one research project alone is challenging. Managing research data  across your university  without a system is impractical, if not impossible.

Research challenges and stakeholders illustrate the need for a solution to provide metadata connections and systems interoperability to report and understand university research fully.

Who are the RIMS stakeholders?

Multiple stakeholders are involved in each part of the research ecosystem and with each research challenge. When good quality data and research management is available, stakeholders can use it to help improve their contributions to the university and beyond.

These are some categories of stakeholders.

Decision-makers Includes institutional leaders that use research information data to make strategic decisions on internal funding allocations, staffing, facilities, equipment, public relations and internal policies that govern workflows related to research.

Enablers Includes the libraries and research management offices that provide critical support for the management of research.

Supporters Internal departments or teams that contribute to research information management. These include:

Information technology

Human resources

Risk management

Ethics board

Communications

Researchers Includes individuals involved in research execution, publication and promotion:

Higher degree research students

Research support staff

External stakeholders Includes funding bodies, government or commercial partners who have an interest in the research. It also can consist of members of communities either being studied or impacted by the research and results.

How does a RIMS work?

Research information management systems work by integrating and linking the various elements and creating interoperability between solutions in the research ecosystem.

RIMS centrally stores related data for:

Research showcasing and communication

Managing information in one place through one interface

In turn, having this centrally located data and interface helps drive:

Research performance

Global reputation

International collaboration

Research and metadata

The items generated from research can fall into three broad categories — research outputs, impact measures and related documents. Linking all these things together with their metadata in an interoperable system enables the benefits of RIMS. Significantly, by sharing metadata, reporting and management are simplified.

W hat is the difference between RIMS and CRIS (Current Research Information System)?

There is no difference between these two terms; they are interchangeable. According to an  ACRL publication opens in new tab/window :

It is important to note that RIMS is not the only name by which these systems are known. In Europe, where these systems were first developed and used, a more common term is Current Research Information Systems (CRIS). Other terms include ‘profile system’ or ‘networking tool’ and variations thereof.

euroCRIS and CERIF

The organization  euroCRIS opens in new tab/window  was founded in 2002 as an international not-for-profit association that brings together experts on research information in general and research information systems (CRIS) in particular.One of the things that euroCRIS does is maintain a metadata standard known as Common European Research Information Format or  CERIF opens in new tab/window . The adoption of CERIF varies by region and country.

Why should you use a RIMS? What are the benefits?

Disconnected data sources with different identifiers lead to complicated research management, slow decision-making and missed opportunities.

Connected and linked data with unique identifiers leads to simpler research management, easier reporting and more.

"[RIMS] are an essential tool…. They can tell you things about your citation indices that can help you build your academic reputation…. They can help you focus resources…. Such tools allow you to see how your university stacks up against competitors.… You can undertake trend analysis…. You can help faculty understand how their scholarship helps the university to advance."

David Weindorf

Vice President of Research and Innovation, University of Central Michigan, USA

What is the value and benefit of accurate and timely information?

This is a question asked by many organizations, including governments, small businesses, large enterprises and universities.

Moving from a world of disconnected systems and data to linked data and a unified system facilitates:

Informed decision-making

Easier communication

Improved research performance

Increased collaboration

When living in a disconnected world, it isn’t easy to get a clear picture of what is happening. You do your best by accessing different systems and keeping complicated spreadsheets and documents that  you hope  to tie together the entities and data.

When this world gets connected by linking metadata and systems into one source of truth, it is like Jack Kerouac said in his novel, Big Sur:

…when the fog's over and the stars and the moon come out at night it'll be a beautiful sight.

In this new connected world, you now leverage accurate and timely information. Many RIMS customers have described some of the benefits they had after implementation.

Top 10 RIMS benefits

Increase the global visibility of institutional research and researchers and grow recognition and rewards by showcasing vibrant researcher profiles in international portals that highlight their research output, expertise, and impact.

Strategic decision making

Draw on the comprehensive analytics to make informed strategic decisions on resource allocation and target setting.

Collaboration

Increase your collaboration — especially international collaboration — with increased visibility of your research, researchers, labs and equipment.

Societal impact

Demonstrate your societal impact and your contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Research management Expertly manage all aspects of research administration with configurable communication and workflow tools.

Improve the accuracy, speed, and cost of reporting individual and academic program evaluations, funding requirements, national performance assessments, and global rankings submissions.

Performance Boost the efficiency and impact of researchers by ensuring access to the best resources and state-of-the-art search and analytics tools.

Funding Identify funding and collaboration opportunities.

Open Science Promote open science activities and comply with related mandates.

Assessments Streamline faculty and program assessment.

What is the difference between a RIMS and an Institutional Repository (IR)?

COAR opens in new tab/window  (Confederation of Open Access Repositories)  lists opens in new tab/window  how RIMS and institutional repositories (IR) differ.

Broad Research Activity vs. Research Outputs A RIMS or CRIS focuses on all institutional activity around research. In comparison, an institutional repository (IR) emphasizes research outputs.

Reporting vs. Dissemination

Because a RIMS collects comprehensive information about research activities, you can use it to describe or report on research. An IR – developed primarily to support the Open Access movement – aims to provide access to research publications and other outputs.

Internally vs. Externally Focused

Since these systems grew up with different goals, RIMS tend to be more internally facing tools and IRs more externally facing. As both product categories mature, this is changing. Most RIMS have an externally facing aspect with a public portal containing research outputs. Likewise, IRs are evolving to provide more internal reporting.

Should I buy or build my RIMS?

According to the  article opens in new tab/window  in CIO, “How to determine when to build or buy enterprise software,” making a choice is difficult with generally two types of responses:

Make an emotional decision that “feels right”

Make a rational decision driven by data

The article further states that most decisions are a blend of these. To focus on the data part of the decision, one primary part of this evaluation is cost. While “free” open source platforms are attractive, the costs of implementation are generally higher. In the White Paper  “Buy or build: An exploration of the total cost of ownership for a RIMS ,” the research firm  KnowledgeE opens in new tab/window  looked at both one-time and ongoing costs. KnowledgeE defined these costs as:

One-time costs:

Software licensing

Implementation

Annual operational costs:

Infrastructure

Ongoing maintenance

Operations staff

KnowledgeE determined that building a system – even when starting from an open source platform – is over 50% more expensive than purchasing a commercial solution.

For example, there are opportunity costs as it takes time to build a solution containing all the necessary features of a commercial solution.

RTI International opens in new tab/window  is an independent nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. It was founded in 1958 as a collaboration between government, industry and three North Carolina Universities.

RTI implemented the Elsevier  Pure  RIMs and found that their move from the DIY to Pure was the correct balance of stable system and customization.

Should you buy a commercial product such as Elsevier’s Pure or build it yourself using available open access systems? To help answer this question, we engaged analysts from Knowledge E to determine the Buy or Build costs.

Tips on a successful RIMS implementation

Whether you buy or build, we have been involved in many RIMS implementations and offer the following tips on making it successful.

Identify key players

Identify the key people across the university that need to be involved in making the RIMS implementation successful. Likely you will draw from the Office of Research, Library, Deans, and other faculty. There may be others such as the Communications office and Tech Transfer to consider.

Choose the right technology

We partly covered this topic in the previous section, "Should I build or buy?" In addition to this primary question, you need to ensure that whatever platform you choose meets your current and foreseen future needs.

Understand the benefits

Undertaking a RIMS implementation requires buy-in from your stakeholders and key players. To be successful, everyone needs to understand the value of accurate and timely information and want to achieve that.

Secure buy-in

Even if you are confident the key players understand the benefits, it is wise to formalize their commitment to making the implementation a success.

Strong project management

There are many reasons that solid project management is essential when implementing a RIMS. One of the primary reasons is risk management. Project managers need to analyze potential risks and develop a mitigation plan against them, and a contingency plan should any of them materialize.

It is difficult for people to change how they do things and use a new system – even when it makes their job easier. Effective and timely training helps solve this. Creating a training plan, getting buy-in for it, and implementing it is a critical success factor.

Plan for feedback

Even after you achieve buy-in, you will likely have obstacles during implementation. The more you can anticipate that and communicate openly and transparently, the higher the likelihood of success.

Ongoing support

While the bulk of your resources are going towards implementing your RIMS, ongoing support is essential. Support includes both technical support and “people” support. You can lessen the technical support burden with a vendor’s cloud solution. People support is also aided by ongoing vendor training, support websites and FAQs.

Plan for growth

Once you finish the initial implementation, the team can lose momentum. There were likely features you did not get to or new features the vendor releases if it is a commercial product. Plan to continue an ongoing project to keep your RIMS relevant and take advantage of all it can offer.

Plan for change

Stakeholders, university initiatives, reporting requirements evolve. Since RIMS is the core to many of your reporting and processes, these changes will demand that you be flexible in your implementation to accommodate them.

Learn more:

Discover Pure — Elsevier's RIMS

White paper: Buy or build my RIMS opens in new tab/window

Case study: Torrens University, Australia opens in new tab/window

PDF: Why you need a Research Information Management System (RIMS) opens in new tab/window

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Project Management Software for Research Projects: A Comprehensive Guide

• January 25, 2024

In today’s fast-paced research environment, project management software plays a crucial role in ensuring successful outcomes. By leveraging the power of technology, researchers can streamline their workflows , enhance collaboration, and stay organized throughout the project lifecycle. This comprehensive guide explores the various aspects of project management software for research projects, from understanding its significance to implementing it effectively. Whether you are a seasoned researcher or embarking on your first project, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and tools needed to optimize your research endeavors.

Understanding the Role of Project Management Software in Research

Research projects are complex undertakings that require meticulous planning, coordination, and execution. However, traditional methods of project management, such as spreadsheets and email chains, often fall short in meeting the unique needs of research teams. Project management software offers a holistic approach in managing research projects by providing a centralized platform for communication, task management, resource allocation, and documentation. By utilizing this technology, researchers can improve efficiency, reduce errors, and ensure that their projects stay on track.

The Importance of Organization in Research Projects

Organization is paramount in research projects, as it allows researchers to keep track of their progress, prioritize tasks, and manage deadlines effectively. Project management software empowers researchers to create structured project plans, assign tasks to team members, set milestones, and create project timelines. Additionally, software tools allow for the seamless organization of files , documents, and data, ensuring that critical information is readily accessible when needed. By maintaining a well-organized project, researchers can optimize their workflow and increase their chances of achieving successful outcomes.

Furthermore, project management software provides researchers with the ability to categorize and tag different project components, making it easier to search for and locate specific information. This feature enables researchers to quickly find relevant data, reducing the time spent on manual searching and increasing overall productivity.

In addition to organizing project tasks and data, project management software also allows researchers to track and manage their project budgets. By integrating financial management tools, researchers can monitor expenses, allocate funds to different project components, and generate reports to analyze spending patterns. This level of financial visibility enables researchers to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation and ensure that their projects stay within budget.

Key Features of Project Management Software for Research

Project management software for research projects comes equipped with a wide range of features designed to meet the specific needs of research teams. These include:

• Task Management: Assigning and tracking tasks to ensure timely completion .
• Collaboration: Facilitating seamless communication and collaboration among team members.
• File Sharing: Providing a central repository for storing and sharing project-related files.
• Resource Allocation: Efficiently managing resources, such as funding, equipment, and personnel.
• Time Tracking: Monitoring project progress and tracking the time spent on different tasks.
• Reporting and Analytics: Generating detailed reports and metrics to evaluate project performance.

By leveraging these key features, research teams can enhance their productivity, improve communication, and achieve better project outcomes.

Moreover, project management software often offers integration capabilities with other research tools and platforms. This integration allows researchers to seamlessly connect their project management software with data analysis tools, laboratory equipment, and other research-specific applications. By streamlining these connections, researchers can eliminate manual data entry, reduce the risk of errors, and enhance the overall efficiency of their research processes.

Additionally, project management software often provides customizable dashboards and visualizations that allow researchers to gain insights into their project’s progress at a glance. These visual representations enable researchers to identify bottlenecks, track key performance indicators, and make data-driven decisions to optimize their research projects.

In conclusion, project management software plays a crucial role in research projects by providing researchers with the necessary tools to effectively plan, organize, and execute their work. By embracing this technology, researchers can streamline their processes, improve collaboration, and ultimately achieve successful outcomes in their research endeavors .

Evaluating Different Project Management Software

With a multitude of project management software options available, selecting the right one for your research project can be a daunting task. To streamline your decision-making process, it’s essential to establish criteria for evaluating software and compare different options based on key factors.

When evaluating project management software for research projects, consider the following criteria:

• Scalability: Ensure that the software can handle the size and complexity of your research projects.
• Customization: Look for software that allows for customization to align with your specific project requirements.
• Integration: Check if the software integrates seamlessly with other tools and systems used in your research workflow.
• User-Friendliness: Opt for software that is intuitive and easy to use, minimizing the learning curve for your team.
• Cost: Evaluate the pricing structure of the software, keeping in mind your budgetary constraints.

By evaluating potential software options based on these criteria, you can narrow down your choices and select the most suitable solution for your research project.

Scalability is a crucial factor to consider when choosing project management software. Research projects can vary greatly in size and complexity, so it’s important to select software that can handle the demands of your specific project. Whether you’re working on a small-scale research study or a large-scale collaborative project, the software should be able to accommodate your needs and provide the necessary tools for efficient project management .

Customization is another important criterion to evaluate. Every research project is unique, with its own specific requirements and workflows. Look for software that allows for customization, so you can tailor it to align with your project’s needs. This could include customizing fields, templates, and workflows to match your research methodology and data collection processes.

Integration is a key consideration when selecting project management software for research projects. Research workflows often involve multiple tools and systems, such as data analysis software, collaboration platforms, and document management systems. Ensure that the software you choose integrates seamlessly with these existing tools, allowing for smooth data transfer and collaboration across different platforms.

User-friendliness is essential for efficient project management. The software should have an intuitive user interface that is easy to navigate and understand. This will minimize the learning curve for your team, allowing them to quickly adapt to the new software and start using it effectively. Look for features such as drag-and-drop functionality, clear task assignment options, and visual progress tracking to enhance usability.

Cost is an important factor to consider, especially when working within budgetary constraints. Evaluate the pricing structure of the software options and consider the value they provide in relation to your research project’s needs. Some software may offer additional features or support services that justify a higher cost, while others may provide a more basic set of functionalities at a lower price point. Consider your project’s requirements and budget to make an informed decision.

To assist you in your evaluation process, let’s explore some of the top project management software options available for research projects:

• Software A: This software offers robust collaboration features, seamless integration with other research tools, and advanced reporting capabilities. It provides a comprehensive solution for managing research projects of any size and complexity.
• Software B: Known for its intuitive user interface and extensive customization options, this software provides a comprehensive set of project management features for research teams. It allows for easy adaptation to different research methodologies and workflows.
• Software C: With its emphasis on flexibility and scalability, this software caters to the diverse needs of research projects, whether small or large in scale. It offers a range of features and tools to support efficient project management and collaboration.

By comparing these top software options and considering their unique features, you can make an informed decision aligned with your research goals and requirements.

Implementing Project Management Software in Your Research

Once you have selected the right project management software for your research project, it’s time to implement it effectively. Successful implementation requires careful planning and consideration of various factors.

Steps to Successfully Integrate Software into Your Project

Follow these steps to seamlessly integrate project management software into your research project:

• Define Project Goals: Clearly establish the goals and objectives of your research project to use as a foundation for software implementation.
• Create an Implementation Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan outlining the steps, timeline, and resources required for software integration.
• Provide Training and Support: Ensure that all team members are trained on how to use the software effectively and provide ongoing support as needed.
• Migrate Existing Data: Transfer relevant project data, files, and documentation into the software to centralize project information.
• Establish Communication Channels: Set up communication channels within the software to facilitate collaboration and real-time information sharing.

By following these steps and actively involving team members in the implementation process, you can maximize the benefits of project management software for your research project.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Implementation

Implementing project management software in research projects may come with its fair share of challenges. Some common challenges include resistance to change, a steep learning curve, and technical difficulties. However, by proactively addressing these challenges and providing adequate support and training to your team, you can minimize their impact. Encourage open communication, offer guidance, and celebrate small victories to foster a positive mindset towards the implementation of project management software.

Maximizing the Benefits of Project Management Software

While project management software provides a powerful toolset, maximizing its benefits requires efficient use and utilization of its features.

Tips for Efficient Use of Project Management Tools

Consider the following tips to ensure efficient utilization of project management software:

• Customize Workflows: Tailor the software’s workflow to suit the specific needs and requirements of your research project.
• Regularly Update and Review Progress: Keep track of project milestones and regularly update and review progress to identify areas that require attention or adjustment.
• Encourage Collaboration and Communication: Foster a collaborative environment within the software by utilizing features such as discussion boards, file sharing, and real-time messaging.
• Automate Repetitive Tasks: Leverage the software’s automation capabilities to streamline repetitive tasks, saving time and effort.

By implementing these tips, you can unlock the full potential of project management software and enhance the overall efficiency of your research project.

Tracking Progress and Results with Software

One of the significant advantages of project management software is its ability to track and analyze project progress and results. By utilizing the reporting and analytics features, researchers can gain valuable insights into their project performance, identify bottlenecks, and make data-driven decisions. Regularly reviewing and analyzing project data allows researchers to measure their success and make necessary adjustments to improve outcomes.

Future Trends in Project Management Software for Research

As technology continues to evolve, project management software for research projects is expected to witness exciting advancements and developments. Researchers should stay informed about emerging trends to harness cutting-edge technology and stay ahead in their field.

Emerging Technologies and Their Impact

Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and augmented reality, are poised to revolutionize project management software for research. These technologies have the potential to automate mundane tasks, extract insights from vast amounts of data, and facilitate virtual collaboration, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of research projects.

Preparing for Future Developments in Project Management Software

To prepare for future developments in project management software, researchers should remain adaptable and open to embracing new technologies. Educate yourself and your team about emerging trends, explore pilot projects to test innovative software solutions, and actively participate in industry conferences and forums to stay updated on the latest advancements.

By staying proactive and responsive to future developments, researchers can leverage the full potential of project management software and drive innovation in their research projects.

In conclusion, project management software plays a crucial role in enhancing the productivity and success of research projects. By understanding its importance, evaluating different options, implementing it effectively, and maximizing its benefits, researchers can streamline their workflows, improve collaboration, and achieve optimal outcomes. As technology advances, staying informed about future trends empowers researchers to embrace innovation and stay at the forefront of their respective fields. Embrace the power of project management software and unlock new possibilities in your research projects!

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Project management information systems (pmiss): a statistical-based analysis for the evaluation of software packages features.

1. Introduction

2. literature review, 3. methodological approach, 3.1. pmis features and sub-features, 3.2. survey design and analysis of data, 3.2.1. first survey: design and analysis of data, 3.2.2. second survey: design and analysis of data, 4. results and discussion, 4.1. list of pmis features and sub-features, 4.2. first survey, 4.3. second survey, 5. conclusions, author contributions, institutional review board statement, informed consent statement, conflicts of interest, appendix a. initial list of features and sub-features.

• Gender: (Male; Female)
• How old are you? (≤30; 31–40; 41–50; >50)
• What country do you work in?
• Do you use or have you ever used project management software? (YES; NO) (If yes, what was the best performing software?)
• How many hours have you been involved in project management activities? (0; 1–1000; 1001–3000; 3001–10,000; >10,001)
• Do you have a project management certification? (YES; NO) (If yes, which one? If you have more than one certification, list all of them)
• Have you ever taught in this field? (YES; NO) (If yes, approximately, how many hours?)
• Have you trained in this field? (YES; NO) (If yes, approximately, how many hours?)
• Do you work in the public or private sector? (Public sector; Private sector)
• Specify the sector: (Health care, Services, Civil construction, IT, Manufacturing, Finance, Energy, Others) (If other, which one?)
• Approximately, what the company’s turnover is?
• Activity Planning (features for project activities planning and scheduling)
• Resource Planning (features for project resources management)
• Control (features needed to control budget, work and project results)
• Risk Analysis (features for identifying, evaluating, monitoring and managing risks and issues)
• Reporting (features for reporting, i.e., report, version tracking and dashboard)
• Communication Management (features for project communication management)
• Utility (utility features, i.e., to do list, filters and customized fields)
• Access Permits (it allows to establish rules for having access to projects database and documents)
• Activity Planning
• Resource Planning
• Risk Analysis
• Communication Management
• Access Permits
• CPM—This function allows at performing the Critical Path Method (i.e., calculation of characteristic times, delays, critical path, etc.)
• WBS—This function allows the hierarchical decomposition of the project
• Gantt chart—This function allows to develop the bar chart of the project
• Milestones—This function allows to represent the project through its milestones
• Allocation of resources—This function allows at planning the project resources
• Scheduling with balancing of resources—This function permits to balance resources (i.e., eliminate overloads)
• CCPM—This function allows the development of the Critical Chain Project Management (i.e., scheduling of activities by identifying critical chains with feed and project buffers)
• Cost Management—This function allows to plan and manage all project costs (i.e., resources, raw materials, etc.)
• Calendar—This function includes the design and customization of project and resources calendars
• Resources Chart—This function allows the visualization of the workload of each resource
• Progress Control—This feature allows at comparing the actual cost and work values with the planned ones
• Quality Management and Validate—This feature allows to include procedures for checking project results (i.e., view inspection results or check whether all requirements are met)
• RISK MANAGEMENT SUB-FEATURE
• PERT—This feature allows to perform the PERT analysis to get the project time to completion when activities durations are random variables
• Simulation—In the presence of random costs and times, this function allows to determine the project time to completion through simulation (i.e., Monte Carlo simulation)
• Risk/Issue management—This function supports the management of the project risks/issues (i.e., SWOT analysis, creation of risk/problem registers, etc..)
• Report—This function permits the creation of standard and/or customized reports of the project
• Version Tracking—This function allows to track and record all documents related to the project
• Dashboard—This feature allows team members to access all project-related information through a graphical, concise and customizable representation.
• E-mail—This feature permits the exchange of emails among team members
• Chat/Forum—This feature facilitates synchronous/asynchronous communication among team members
• Video & Audio—This feature allows to make audio and video calls
• To do list—This feature allows to visualize the list of things to be done on a specific day
• Filters—This feature allows to perform advanced searches on project documents (i.e., filters, sorting, grouping)
• Customized fields—This feature allows to customize different fields (i.e., calendars, views, tables, filters, etc.)

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Share and Cite

Micale, R.; La Fata, C.M.; Lombardo, A.; La Scalia, G. Project Management Information Systems (PMISs): A Statistical-Based Analysis for the Evaluation of Software Packages Features. Appl. Sci. 2021 , 11 , 11233. https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311233

Micale R, La Fata CM, Lombardo A, La Scalia G. Project Management Information Systems (PMISs): A Statistical-Based Analysis for the Evaluation of Software Packages Features. Applied Sciences . 2021; 11(23):11233. https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311233

Micale, Rosa, Concetta Manuela La Fata, Alberto Lombardo, and Giada La Scalia. 2021. "Project Management Information Systems (PMISs): A Statistical-Based Analysis for the Evaluation of Software Packages Features" Applied Sciences 11, no. 23: 11233. https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311233

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Pmis overview: a guide to choosing a project management information system.

Looking for a Project Management Information System (PMIS) can be overwhelming. This guide will help you navigate the process of what to look for in a quality, robust PMIS. Note that sometimes PIMS, project information management system, is used interchangeably with PMIS. 

First, it is critical to conduct an internal audit of what systems and processes are in place already within the organization or project team to determine where there may be gaps. It helps to understand the current state to fill in the process and solution requirements still needed. Afterward, it will be easy to determine which functionalities aren’t currently being met in order to better deliver projects on-time and on budget, and the search for a PMIS solution that will help fill those needs can begin. 

What is a PMIS?

The Project Management Book of Knowledge PMBoK® Guide describes a PMIS as “An information system consisting of the tools and techniques used to gather, integrate, and disseminate the outputs of project management processes. It is used to support all aspects of the project from initiating through closing, and can include both manual and automated systems.”

No matter the scale of a project, it has information and data that needs to be managed and organized. As a project progresses, so does the amount of information surrounding it. A system that helps project managers control and deliver project information becomes essential. A project management information system (PMIS) enables project professionals to easily plan and track project progress in all stages of its lifecycle. 

A good PMIS will collect all project data and information from various sources, spreadsheets, and systems to be the one source for all project data for the project management team. Sometimes individuals will incorrectly picture a document center as a project management information system, however, it should be much more than a collection of project files and documents. 

The 6 Key PMIS Features & Functions

Requirements for selecting a PMIS will vary depending on an organization’s operational requirements. Likewise, most project management information systems differ in scope, design, and offered features, but it is important when choosing a PMIS system that it at least has the following six features and capabilities:

• Planning & Scheduling
• Budget & Estimating
• Resource & Procurement Management
• Cost Management & Project Performance
• Progress Reporting
• Data & System Integration

1.) Planning & Scheduling

A PMIS will be able to plan and compute the project’s schedule and its critical path whether by built-in scheduling functionality or through built-in integration to a scheduling application like Microsoft Project or Oracle Primavera P6. A PMIS will be able to create or import a project’s specific schedule, as well as define the scope baseline. 

2.) Budget & Estimating

A quality project management information system is capable of associating project cost with individual tasks or items to generate more accurate budget estimates. A PMIS needs to combine project cost estimating, forecasting, cost data and schedule information in order to determine accurate project progress and performance. Having this data together in one system allows for managing project costs through the process of planning, estimating, and controlling a project’s budget; it ties in very closely with Cost Management & Project Performance below.

3.) Resource & Procurement Management

It is important for a PMIS to have the functionality to manage the complete procurement process since resources and procured items are a large portion of a project’s cost and preliminary budget. 

4.) Cost Management & Project Performance

A solid PMIS enables project managers to control project cost and performance. It will allow for updating existing plans as actuals against planned data changes, and provide what-if scenarios to them while tracking and managing all project changes. 

Planned value, earned value , and actual costs, allow for calculating additional project values that indicate the project’s current status and performance from either a budget perspective or a schedule perspective.

Using the above values, project managers can also determine the project’s current status through to the end of the project using the following Estimate to Complete (ETC), Estimate at Completion (EAC), Variance at Completion (VAC), and To-Complete Performance Index (TCPI).

5.) Progress Reporting

Built-in project progress reporting is crucial for saving project managers time, while giving them the necessary tools to create and send reports tailored to the various audiences (whether team members or stakeholders). A PMIS will have the capability to create and share reports of collected and analyzed data.

6.) Data & System Integration

It is important for project management information systems to bring all project data together to eliminate data silos. A PMIS needs to be able to integrate with other applications or software systems (i.e. payroll, inventory, ERP, scheduling systems like Primavera P6, etc.). This system integration allows for accessing data from different projects for multi-project analysis and bridging gaps between systems and applications needed to have all project information in one place.

A More Robust & Scalable PMIS

Each of the six key core functionalities above are minimum baseline components of a true project management information system and should be considered when seeking out a PMIS. There are many solutions (Contruent being one of them) that offer this functionality plus more for well-rounded project management.

Contruent Enterprise is a PMIS with additional key functionality that enables project organizations to be more scalable as their company grows. With critical capabilities such as contract management, field management, engineering management, portfolio management, and project carbon estimating, there is a ready-made solution for you when you need it.

With a recognized global presence, Contruent Enterprise is a multi-currency and multi-language project controls and management solution. It is also flexible in licensing; organizations are able to purchase the amount of licenses needed rather than requiring a license minimum.

Change Management

Each Contruent Enterprise project management function can perform change management , so that no matter which module(s) are implemented, all project changes are tracked and can be traced back to a single source of truth. This powerful change management solution provides organizations with a complete and auditable system for tracking cost and schedule changes to the project’s baseline and forecast. 

Time-Phased Budget & EVM

It is important that a PMIS has schedule data alongside the project’s cost data so that it can be time-phased and used to measure progress. Likewise, these data sets are critical for earned value management, though not all PMIS can do Earned Value Management (EVM). Our cost management feature  supports all required project cost processes from budgeting, time-phasing, EVM, change management, risk tracking, funds allocation, and forecasting. 

Within Contruent Enterprise, project and cost managers can create unlimited control accounts to manage project data at the level of detail they desire. It allows for establishing time-phased budgets to represent cash flow plans for projects while creating and managing workflows. Users can plan and forecast resources by reporting period, and enterprise reporting periods can be used for enterprise cash flow analysis and implementation of change management processes to maintain control of scope and cost. It also acts as a risk warning system; project managers can intervene and make corrections early as the cumulative Cost Performance Index (CPI) and the Schedule Performance Index (SPI) act as early warning signals for project risks. 

Executive Reports & Dashboards

Running reports to assess whether projects are hitting specified criteria, targets, and benchmarks lets project managers know immediately if a project is over or under-performing.  Progress reporting is how project teams know how the project is progressing and how stakeholders are informed of progress and performance. As such, Contruent Enterprise offers more than 200 built-in standard project management reports. Dashboards are also available for executive-level reporting via a series of pre-designed dashboard views based on industry best practices. This module allows for access to an overall enterprise view and project-specific views. 

Easily accessible project data saves time and money, significantly speeding up month-end reporting while reducing errors and manual data validation and greatly improving report accuracy, consistency, and standardization. All of this leaves more time to analyze project data and critical decision-making.

Procurement

In addition to the minimum Resource and Procurement Management capabilities described above, project managers can do even more with Contruent. Procurement management enables project organization to oversee resource planning, staff planning, requisitions and purchase orders, handle the scheduling of procurement, expediting shipments, and supplier evaluations.

Integration

Contruent Enterprise has built-in integration to Oracle Primavera P6, MS Project, and MS Excel out-of-the-box. In addition, Contruent Connect provides bi-directional integration to nearly any existing legacy system or financial system that an organization has. This enables an organization to pull all its project data together and automate data flow within its software tools. 

PMIS Closing Takeaways

It is essential for project organizations to choose a PMIS (like Contruent) to help manage their data and project information to save time, money, and avoid risks in manual data duplication efforts. We know that collecting, organizing, and analyzing project information is critical to delivering projects on schedule and on budget. When looking for a project management information system, be sure to consider a solution that is quick to implement in order to swiftly see return on investment, as well as a tool that is scalable that can grow with your organization.

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Project management

Project management information system (PMIS): What it is and how it works

Project management software comes in a lot of shapes and sizes — and some are nicer than others. If you want to give your project team the tools they need to excel, choosing the right type of software should be your number one objective. 

One type of software that can help with almost all aspects of project management is a project management information system (PMIS). These powerful platforms offer tools for project planning, cost management, project risk management, tracking project progress, and everything in between.

To help you decide if PMIS software is the right choice for your client services business, let’s take a detailed look at what it is, how it works, and how a PMIS enhances every stage of the project lifecycle.

• What is a project management information system?

A PMIS is a specialized type of project management platform that focuses on managing information related to various project phases.  

These systems provide a convenient space for storing and organizing all project information along with a variety of tools, templates, and apps designed to streamline every phase of your projects.

A PMIS offers some of the same functionality as traditional PM platforms, such as task management tools and collaboration features. But what really sets a PMIS apart from other types of platforms is its focus on comprehensive information management. PMIS also tend to feature more capable tools for data analysis and reporting so you can squeeze all the insights out of your project data. 

• Benefits of using a project management information system

If you still uses Excel spreadsheets to organize project information, prepare to be blown away by what a solid PMIS can offer:

Enhanced collaboration and communication

Malcolm Gladwell once said :

“The kinds of errors that cause plane crashes are invariably errors of teamwork and communication.”

If you want to keep your project from crashing and burning, giving your team members the right communication and collaboration tools is a great place to start.

PMIS software offers several tools for communicating with team members and project stakeholders alike. This includes chat tools for real-time communication, email integrations, discussion forums, file-sharing tools, and more. These tools make it easy to collaborate on decision-making and project activities regardless of where your team members and stakeholders are located.

A PMIS also helps team members easily find the information they’re looking for, further speeding up communication and collaboration. 

Improved planning and scheduling

Project transparency and effective project planning go hand-in-hand. When you can easily visualize every phase of your project and what it will entail, things like planning individual tasks and scheduling deadlines become much easier.

By helping you organize all of the information about your project in one place, PMIS software brings clarity and transparency to project management — which is a major part of project success.

Additional tools like time tracking, Gantt charts, and task management features can provide even more help when it comes to planning and scheduling projects. 

Increased efficiency and productivity

A PMIS platform’s task management features help keep everyone on task and aligned toward common goals. By bringing transparency to the project, they ensure that everyone on the team is informed about their expectations, promoting accountability.

PMIS also help streamline many tasks and activities that go into project management. They offer convenient collaboration tools and an easy-to-use platform for completing project workflows, helping agencies boost their productivity (and ultimately their profitability too!). 

Effective resource management

Effective resource management is key to successful projects; whether it’s money, personnel, or anything else, project resources are never unlimited, and managing them effectively is key.

A PMIS assists with resource planning and management by providing tools and dashboards for estimating resource requirements, assigning resource allocation, and tracking resource usage. This brings visibility to your project budget and other resource utilization metrics, making it easier to manage all of your project resources more effectively.

It can also boost your business’ bottom line. Wasted resources can be a big expense, but using a PMIS to manage resources more efficiently can save a lot of money. 

• Essential features of project management information systems

Project management information systems can offer plenty of value to project teams, but not all of these systems are created equal. Want a PMIS to optimize project performance? Make sure it has these features:

Task management

A good PMIS should offer a user-friendly platform for managing project tasks. With Teamwork.com, for example, you can quickly create project tasks using a wide range of templates, assign those tasks to team members, and track their progress every step of the way.

Teamwork.com also offers powerful task management features such as task prioritization , task dependencies, time tracking, and more!

These features make it easier to organize all of the various tasks that make up a new project. They ensure that everyone knows what they need to do and nothing slips through the cracks. They also help promote task transparency and the individual accountability that comes with it.

Scheduling and planning

PMIS software assists with every aspect of scheduling and planning projects. It helps you to create informed timelines and milestones for your project based on project data, analyze dependencies and potential risks, and manage resource availability to create a comprehensive project plan.

While it’s important to remain flexible, project management isn’t a situation where you want to fly by the seat of your pants. If you want to create more comprehensive, data-based project plans, choosing a PMIS with advanced scheduling and planning features can help.

Resource allocation and management

A PMIS provides unmatched visibility into resource utilization so that you can allocate and manage project resources more effectively. This applies to a range of key project resources including material, technological, and human resources.

PMIS tools such as resource utilization tracking and resource forecasting provide detailed insights that can help agencies allocate resources more strategically.

Document management and control

Client work projects tend to entail a lot of documentation. If you don’t have a system for conveniently (and securely) storing, accessing, sharing, and managing project documents, issues are bound to follow.

A PMIS like Teamwork.com centralizes all of your project documentation in one easily accessible yet secure space. It provides tools for sharing documents and collaborating on them, tools for quickly finding the documents you need, and tools for tracking document changes. This streamlines document management and gives you full control over the process.

Communication and collaboration tools

When team members work in silos, the results are rarely good. That’s why it’s essential to choose a PMIS that offers effective communication and collaboration tools such as instant messaging, discussion forums, and real-time notifications.

According to the Project Management Institute’s 2023 Pulse of the Profession survey, organizations that prioritize soft skills like communication and collaboration have projects that meet their goals at a 7% higher rate than those that don’t . By equipping your team with tools that make communication and collaboration more efficient, you can level up these soft skills in one fell swoop!

Get your teams and clients on the same page (literally)

Messages, chat, files, notebooks - everything you need to collaborate with context and efficiency is right here.

Explore collaboration features

Budgeting and financial management

A PMIS offers excellent financial visibility, giving you tools to estimate project costs, create budgets, track expenses, and generate financial reports.

Going over budget is a nightmare that keeps a lot of IT project managers up at night. Thankfully, a good PMIS offers plenty of features designed to help client service businesses maintain financial control and prevent cost overruns.

• How a PMIS enhances the project management lifecycle

From initiation to closing, a powerful PMIS like Teamwork.com enhances every stage of the project lifecycle. Here’s how:

A PMIS provides a structured framework for initiating projects, offering tools for creating project charters, identifying stakeholders, and establishing initial timelines. This brings transparency and organization to your project right from the start, setting the stage for successful project execution by ensuring everyone is on the same page.

From Gantt charts to resource calendars to budgeting tools, PMIS software offers a variety of features to help agencies plan out their projects. These tools help streamline and organize the planning process by keeping everything structured and organized. Tools like resource forecasting and risk analysis features also empower a more informed and data-based approach to planning things like project scope, objectives, timelines, and resource requirements.

A PMIS helps agencies successfully execute project plans by providing tools for seamless collaboration, task management, and real-time communication. Tools like task tracking, instant messaging, and discussion forms help keep team members aligned and working together efficiently. This improves productivity during the execution phase and also reduces the risk of costly errors due to miscommunication. 

Monitoring and controlling

Thanks to helpful dashboards, reporting tools, and advanced analytics features , a PMIS such as Teamwork.com helps you monitor and control projects like never before. A PMIS provides real-time insights and complete visibility into a project’s key performance indicators (KPIs) as well as its risks, helping to address issues proactively and keep their projects on track.

By providing a centralized location for all project documentation, a PMIS can be a big help when it comes time to close a project. Things like finalizing deliverables, obtaining stakeholder approval, and closing out contracts are all streamlined when project documents are easily accessible. 

Thankfully, this is an area where PMIS software shines! By offering tools for storing, organizing, and searching project documents, a PMIS helps close projects efficiently and error-free. 

Enhance every stage of the client work lifecycle with Teamwork.com

A PMIS like Teamwork.com is the all-in-one platform teams executing client work need to enhance every phase of their projects.

From real-time communication tools to task management tools to tools for effective resource allocation (and much, much more), Teamwork.com puts everything you need to manage projects more effectively right at your fingertips.

The only all-in-one platform for client work

Trusted by 20,000 businesses and 6,000 agencies, Teamwork.com lets you easily manage, track, and customize multiple complex projects. Get started with a free 30-day trial.

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Ben is a Senior Content Marketing Specialist at Teamwork.com. Having held content roles at agencies and SaaS companies for the past 8 years, Ben loves writing about the latest tech trends and work hacks in the agency space.

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What is PMIS? A Guide to Project Management Systems

Picture this: you're managing a massive construction project with budgets in the millions. Deadlines loom, stakeholders are breathing down your neck, and a mountain of paperwork threatens to bury you alive. Every misplaced document, every delayed communication, and every miscalculated cost leaves you with uncertainty and fear, like a ticking time bomb. Sound familiar?

This is where a Project Management Information System (PMIS) becomes your lifeline. It's the tool that turns chaos into order, helping you track progress, manage resources, and make informed decisions. With a PMIS, you can finally ditch the endless spreadsheets and fragmented tools, giving you the control you need to deliver your project on time and within budget.

What is a Project Management System?

A Project Management Information System (PMIS), or PMIS, is a comprehensive software tool that helps with various aspects of capital project management. Think documents, communications, approvals, contracts, finances, and more!

It's a platform that centralizes all your project management system needs. This includes planning, scheduling, budgeting, resources, tracking progress, etc.

A PMIS offers real-time project insights, enabling informed decision-making, resource optimization, risk mitigation, and overall project management system success.

Top 3 Benefits of Having a PMIS

A project owner utilizing and implementing a PMIS will significantly impact how you operate as an organization and significantly contribute to project success.

Here are a few of the best benefits you can reap out of having a PMIS for your capital projects:

1. Enhanced Project Controls Capability

The project manager and associated consultants are vital in steering projects to success, ensuring they meet scheduled deadlines and financial targets.

The right PMIS gives project managers the tools to complete their jobs and the data they need to make smarter decisions from the start. This means better control over costs and fewer risks. It also helps identify what works and what doesn't in past projects. This leads to better decision-making throughout the entire project management system lifecycle.

2. Increased Transparency into Project Operations

Distributed data and fragmented information stored across various departments' email accounts prevent key stakeholders and executives from accessing timely insights.

A good PMIS pulls all your project management system data into one place and presents it clearly on dashboards. This makes it easier to fire off quick decisions and get things done efficiently, giving you the best chance for project success.

Check out our blog on How to Design the Best Dashboard .

3. greater team collaboration.

Communication poses challenges for project managers and project owners, requiring clear communication channels in the team sport that is getting a capital project done.

Using local storage, emails, and spreadsheets to share project data often hampers timely operations tracking. A good PMIS lets you see what's happening in your project and get what you need without asking a colleague. This helps increase the operational tempo of the capital project or department, leading to earlier completion of projects.

Why You Should Have a PMIS as a Project Manager for Capital Projects

For project managers overseeing capital projects, the stakes couldn't be higher. Every decision carries massive financial consequences that can make or break an organization's success. A PMIS or similar best practice tools aren't just for good management; they are best practice and compliance. It would be irresponsible to manage millions or billions in capital projects any other way.  Think of it this way:

• No more guesswork: A PMIS transforms data into insights. You can accurately forecast costs, predict budget overruns, and adjust before crises occur.
• Control, not chaos: With a PMIS, you gain unparalleled visibility into every aspect of your project management system. This means you can streamline operations, optimize resource allocation, and eliminate costly inefficiencies.
• Success is the bottom line: A well-implemented PMIS doesn't just help you complete projects; it drives profitability. Making smarter, data-driven decisions maximize returns and deliver results that impress stakeholders.

As capital projects become more complex, a PMIS will become essential in every capital project because it gives you the tools to navigate these complexities with precision. It offers the real-time insights you need to adapt quickly, innovate confidently, and build trust among stakeholders.

The future of project success belongs to those who embrace data-driven management. Invest in a PMIS and position yourself at the forefront of project delivery. With a PMIS, you'll consistently exceed expectations in the ever-evolving world of capital projects.

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What Is a PMIS and How Does it Work?

June 8, 2022 - 10 min read

Projects contain an abundance of information, documents, and data. Every project manager has the same challenge of finding the right tools and techniques to deal with all of this knowledge.

Without the right software to organize all the project information, projects can go off track — so having a PMIS (or project management information system) comes in handy.

What is a PMIS?

A PMIS is a software program or application that organizes and controls the flow of project data and information.

Project managers use a PMIS to plan, monitor, and execute their project deliverables more efficiently, without getting overwhelmed with data.

Though project management information systems may vary in scope or complexity, they share common features, such as work management, information collection, and task scheduling .

How does PMIS in project management work?

Before reviewing the features of the PMIS, let's take a closer look at how a PMIS works in project management .

Your PMIS functions differently based on the project phase. It aligns with the project manager's needs and helps complete the specific project phase requirements.

Project initiation phase

In the initiation phase of the project, a PMIS can be helpful in:

• Establishing a preliminary project budget including cost and resource estimates
• Outlining the project scope and preparing bids
• Scheduling the project tasks and assigning them to the relevant team members
• Organizing project information and generating necessary reports for presenting to the key project stakeholders

Project planning phase

Are you planning your project? A PMIS can be your best friend, assisting with:

• In-depth project scheduling, including critical path analysis and related tasks
• Supporting cost and budget management, including setting up of cost controls, budget analysis, and related KPI metrics
• Executing resource planning for the entire project, identifying available resources, and making a contingency plan for those that may be needed later
• Establishing baseline metrics for project schedule , cost, and scope

Project execution stage

A PMIS can be indispensable for executing projects. Since every project has multiple stakeholders within and outside the organization, tracking their conversations and responses can be challenging. The PMIS:

• Stores all project team communications, recommendations, files, and documents in one unified hub that can be securely and easily accessed by all stakeholders
• Enables easy comparison of actual project data with the baseline estimates from the project planning phase
• Allows project managers to revise cost, budget or schedule forecasts midway into the project and make adjustments based on actual project needs
• Supports the efficient completion of multiple project modules, such as material management, cost management , project performance measurement, and project reporting

Project review and closure stage

Arguably, the project review and closure is the most important phase in a project. Each project has a specific predetermined objective or goal, and in the project review and closure stage, those goals and objectives are met. The PMIS: 

• Allows a thorough appraisal to ensure that the defined project goals are met or exceeded
• Organizes and stores all project information in a centralized hub for easy access and review at a later stage
• Archives all project information as historical data for use in upcoming projects
• Helps produce the final project reports and productivity analysis metrics for stakeholder decision making

Advantages of project management information system

Having a project management information system can give you a leg up while managing a project.

As you zip through successive project stages, you need a project management information system that evolves and suits your needs for each phase.

You may be sending a client quote, working on a shared file, or planning team tasks — wouldn't it be great if your PMIS could do all that for you? Here are some of the advantages of implementing a project management information system.

Keeps the project on track

By tracking costs, budgets, and work schedules, your PMIS can help you avoid costly project slippages. Instant notifications and work tracking keep the project on its scheduled timeline.

The PMIS also acts as a discrepancy tracker. Most project management information systems track project progress and send you text or email notifications immediately if anything does not go to plan.

With quick updates from the PMIS, the team can instantly make any required adjustments, reassign resources, and implement new processes.

Once the corrective actions are underway, teams can monitor them to confirm their efficacy. The PMIS’ rapid tracking system acts as an effective competitive edge for companies, helping them manage projects within the budget and scheduled timeline.

Fosters better collaboration and teamwork

Imagine one team member is still using Version 1 of a document when Version 2 has already been circulated to the entire team.

Think of all the hours, energy, and effort that are being wasted. Apart from adversely affecting individual productivity, the project would lose a day or two due to the team veering off course.

Plug this leakage by having a PMIS that lets you control, share, and update documentation in real time with your team members.

Whenever a new document, version, or revision is released, the PMIS notifies the team about the updated version. 

Gives a competitive advantage

Data is at the core of any project management information system. Data-driven organizations are 23 times more likely to gain new customers , leading to the likelihood of achieving above-average profitability being 19 times higher than the companies that don’t make data-driven decisions.

A PMIS is a significant contributor to project management success, boosting the capabilities of organizations against their counterparts.

Enables higher-quality decision making

Making a decision ultimately boils down to having the correct information. With a PMIS solution, teams have access to real-time data to get the ball rolling.

From detailed project processes to product testing results to the hours worked by the team, key decision-makers have access to everything they may need.

Having a holistic overview of the project and its granular data can assist in making decisions that would be beneficial for the team. Apart from giving your project a strong competitive advantage, it can improve organizational performance and help achieve project goals.

Manage diverse projects at the same time

In many companies, there are often multiple projects going on at the same time. Managing them can be a challenge if you don’t have the right tools. 

In multi-project management, a PMIS would allow the key stakeholders clear visibility into each project, its work schedule, and resource management .

Whether a project is ongoing, completed, or in the planning stages, project management information systems can help manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Challenges of implementing a project management information system

Like implementing any change in your organization, introducing a project management information system comes with its own set of challenges. These are mostly related to resistance to change by your teammates, so it's important to remember to approach the implementation process with an open mind, ready to listen to any criticisms or questions from your team. 

Lack of coordination

Proper communication and coordination between teams when introducing a PMIS is crucial for its success. But with teams dispersed globally, and many working on a number of different projects at once, critical information can often fall through the cracks, and priorities can begin to shift from team to team. 

Wasted resources

Poor coordination can often result in wasted resources, as teams' schedules are mismatched and the deadline for implementation becomes compromised. Project managers need to be prepared for this with regular check-ins with their counterparts on other teams, and effective back-up plans in place for issues that may arise during implementation.

Lack of interest from teams

Any major change at your organization requires buy-in from teams, but many prefer to move along with the status quo. Poor communication and delegation, poor company culture, and a lack of training and employee resources can all contribute to low morale and a lack of motivation within your team. When this occurs, it can be harder than ever to try and introduce a PMIS.

No required skillsets

Introducing a PMIS requires a number of skilled people to aid in its successful implementation. If your team is inexperienced with change management , or if your project specifically deals with more technical information and resources, this can spell trouble for your PMIS. Ensure that the right people with appropriate skills are in place before you begin the PMIS induction process. 

What are the features of project management information systems?

At its core, every PMIS is built to assist in successful project management . To do this, a PMIS typically monitors information, collects data, and stores it for use in multiple areas such as:

• Project scope
• Team communications
• Integrations and applications
• Project cost management
• Project risk management
• Project quality management
• Stakeholder engagement
• Project supplier and vendor management

That's a lot of sub-modules for teams to manage within the bigger picture of a project. Employing a PMIS cuts through the clutter to reduce risk, lower costs, and improve project efficiency.

Before zeroing in on a PMIS, take a closer look to confirm that it has some key functionalities, such as:

• Project planning and scheduling: Scheduling tools communicate the project schedule to all the key stakeholders and establish the project control baselines and critical path .
• Estimating: Project estimation tools within a PMIS assign prices to specific project tasks that are summed up to calculate an overall project estimate or cost.
• Resource management: Small or big, every task requires resources to ensure completion. Track resource availability and manage it effectively using a PMIS.
• Project data management: Documentation is an essential part of every project. Whether you’re creating a one-off document or an extensive project library, teams need a robust, secure, and accessible PMIS to manage project documentation.
• Project control: Project teams spend a reasonable amount of time creating project plans. All activities they undertake to measure project progress against the planned goals come under project control. Deploying a PMIS helps to manage both the project budget and the project schedule .
• Reporting and communication: Any PMIS tool should have the flexibility to create multiple styles of reports, including on-demand or custom reports required for stakeholder decision-making.
• Integration and ease of use: PMIS can also differ based on the tools they integrate with and how easy they are to use. It’s easier (and cheaper) to train staff to use a PMIS with a simple and intuitive user interface.

Examples of PMIS

A typical PMIS has two key functions:

• A method for gathering and organizing information
• A software application that performs the process steps

Any system with these two elements can be considered a PMIS. Here are some examples of PMIS:

• A document filing system that uses Microsoft Excel to collect and organize information
• A full-suite project management information system that has multiple tools with custom workflows and processes

Using Wrike as your PMIS

Provide your team with the robust decision-making support they need to plan, organize, and monitor their projects successfully. 

Avoid project data overload by using a project management information system like Wrike to make faster decisions. Organize project documentation, facilitate real-time communication, and create a single, accessible hub for all project-related information.

Avoid resource wastage, boost team efficiency, and optimize your project budgets by using visual tools such as Gantt charts and Kanban boards included in the project management software . Start a free two-week trial of Wrike today and see your PMIS in action!

Yuvika Iyer

Yuvika is a freelance writer who specializes in recruitment and resume writing.

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The Ultimate Project Management Software Guide for Startups

Every day in the startup world is characterized by various tasks, from finances to client-facing work, building new products to administrative items, and more. There’s a lot of work to be done and a lot of hands in the pot trying to tackle each action item that pops up.  Startups have a team-first mentality, where every team member is willing to jump in and play a part to get the job done. That horizontal leadership structure can lead to a lot of camaraderie, but the day-to-day roles and responsibilities related to project ownership and completion can get messy and chaotic.  That wasted time can be costly when every minute and dollar spent in the early startup days are precious, especially when nine out of 10 startups fail.  But don’t let that statistic make you panic quite yet. Having the right tools in place, such as project management software that keeps the whole team organized and on task, is a critical driver in reducing the risk of failure and achieving that seemingly elusive startup success.  Curious? We’ve rounded up some of the fundamental reasons project management should matter to your startup, what to look for in project management software tools, and how to identify and implement the right project management software tool while keeping your (often tight) budget in mind.  Why should project management matter to startups? Effective project management is imperative to any business, no matter the size of the organization.  According to the latest Pulse of the Profession report by the Project Management Institute (PMI), 57% of respondents saw significant business changes in their operational efficiencies over the past year and another 49% experienced changes in the maturity of their project management.  That means that even if project management and efficiencies aren’t top of mind for you as your startup gets off the ground, they should make their way to the top of the list as your company grows. These aspects of a business are important to the success of project completion and business strategy.  Sure, a formalized project management tool and processes can seem unnecessary, rigid, and overly burdensome for the flexible, entrepreneurial startup culture. But the reality is that defining project management methodologies and implementing a software tool at the beginning will help your business thrive as it scales. Rest assured that flexibility can coexist alongside process and organization, and a project management software tool can help with the latter.  Project management for startups is more than planning, organizing, and executing projects from start to finish. There are several benefits of defined project management practices, specifically when it comes to running a startup.  1. Prioritize limited resources Startups have small teams and a spirit for collaboration, which breeds fluid job roles and responsibilities. A limited number of employees in flexible positions can make it challenging to figure out which tasks and projects rank higher than others — and who exactly is responsible for what.  Introducing project management processes and software in the early stages of a startup can help the team better prioritize their work. You have to make the most of your limited resources while executing on your vision and big goals, and project management for startups can help you do just that — without frustration and confusion.  2. Stay on top of deadlines No two days at a startup are the same. Priorities shift, the overall company vision may change, and innovation can lead to new products and services that weren’t even on your radar a couple of months ago. With so many moving parts, staying organized and sticking to a schedule (especially one that clients or customers are counting on) can fall by the wayside.  Project management practices help you monitor progress and ensure important deadlines aren’t missed. That structure provides some level of accountability and commitment within your teams — even if your overall culture is still relaxed and flexible.  3. Scale efficiently  Startup environments bring about a level of high-growth and constant change. Investing in project management early on will pay dividends when your startup begins to scale. Growth can be remarkable for the business but more challenging for employees if the proper processes and systems aren’t in place to support that evolution and expansion.  As you grow, you’ll likely have more goals to meet and projects to deliver, so it’s crucial to build a project management foundation that will allow you to meet these goals. Likewise, standardized processes make it significantly easier for new team members to get onboarded and acclimated as your team grows in size.  What features should you look for in startup project management software? There are hundreds of project management software tools out there to choose from. Some are more robust than others and focused on the demands of enterprise companies. Others are more simplistic and better suited for a nimble startup or small business.  Not sure what you should keep an eye out for? These are some of the key features you should look for in startup project management software, even if you start out on a plan that doesn’t offer all of these features right away: Team collaboration. As a startup, your team is your most valuable asset, and it’s crucial to foster a collaborative and team-focused environment. The ability to work on projects together simultaneously, break down project tasks, store associated project documents, and share team calendars are project management software components to keep an eye out for. Any functionality that allows your team to collaborate quickly and efficiently is a plus in choosing project management software. After all, that’s the whole point. Organized and streamlined processes. Real-time file sharing and collaboration make it easier and quicker to handle assigning tasks and see them through to completion. With streamlined processes and workflows, you can track project performance, quickly assign tasks and get an instant understanding of project and performance, rather than wasting time requesting frequent status updates. Document storing and sharing. As you build your startup and document processes, projects, and other aspects of the business along the way, you’ll want to ensure you can quickly locate and access documents and files. Using a project management software tool with document storing and sharing capabilities can help prevent you from losing critical information, especially if employees leave. All of your important documentation will be centralized and accessible rather than siloed. Resource management. Since you have limited resources (and you don’t want to burn your team out), you’ll need to make sure you’re balancing workloads as effectively as possible. Project management software tools with simple resource management capabilities can help you better understand the workload and available bandwidth across team members. When you identify a plate that’s too full (it happens!), you can simply reassign tasks to other available team members and keep your project moving forward. Time-tracking capabilities. Hassle-free time-tracking and the ability to distinguish between billable and nonbillable work can help you better understand where your team is spending their time. With this information readily available, you’ll have visibility that will allow you to plan better, boost revenue, and more accurately forecast — so you avoid over-promising and under-delivering. Real-time reporting. Agility and flexibility are common traits of nearly all startups, and making quick decisions is necessary when you’re working in an ever-changing landscape. Project management software tools with real-time reporting empower you to make more informed decisions at the drop of a hat. Maybe you’re pivoting the business’ direction or need to quickly gauge the current status of a project. No matter your need, a tool with real-time reporting can help you get the information you need so you can make decisions and act fast. Budget management. Every dollar counts, right? Managing projects always carries the risk of running over budget. Spend less time worrying about the bottom line by managing budgets directly within project management software. By keeping an eye on total spending, you can spot when your spending starts to creep up and adjust accordingly.  The level of complexity and customization you’ll need in a project management software tool depends on your business needs. The features listed above should help you dive in and get started, and grow your tool capabilities and usage as you go.  How can project management software for startups help save money? Isn’t project management software going to end up costing your startup more money? Well, technically, yes, depending on the software you choose.  But if we put the cost of the tool aside for a moment, the right project management software can actually help your startup save money too — making it more than worth the cost. Here’s how:  Organization inevitably leads to time savings, and time is money. Project management software will streamline processes and add another layer of organization to your business. To put it simply, this helps you and your team members save time. And with more time on your hands, you’ll be able to get more work done. Instead of hiring more people or scrambling for more resources because plates are too full, you can use project management software to help your current team better manage their time. Faster, smoother workflows equal more time saved and less money spent due to wasted hours and energy. Project management software can reduce training costs. As your business grows and you add more members to the team, you’ll need them to move quickly to ensure projects stay on track. Having all of your projects and information centralized within one system can reduce the learning curve for your new employees, allowing them to dive in and get their hands dirty right away.   Time tracking can save your business money. If you really want to be money-conscious, opt for software with time-tracking capabilities. How does time tracking save money? You’ll save your startup a few bucks by increasing productivity, eliminating inefficiencies, and will be able to manage billable hours more seamlessly. If your startup depends on any amount of billable work, accurate time-tracking is non-negotiable. Improved communication is a huge cost-savings. When hiccups in communication occur, you’re at risk of projects falling out of scope, missing deadlines, and wasting time and effort on work that doesn’t matter. Even further, communication issues could end with you owing money, discounts, or free products and services to your customers. One way to reduce communication issues is to build a solid internal communication channel to boost transparency and ensure your team is always on the same page. Consolidated interactions through a project management software tool can help you save money and keep your clients happy too.  How much is project management software for startups?  The price of project management software can run the gamut. There are a number of free options out there that may offer limited functionality. There are also a number of robust systems for enterprise corporations that may fall outside of your budget and current needs.  With so many different software options and feature capabilities, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind in terms of pricing. These include:  Desired features Fee structure Additional costs  Let’s talk about each of these in a bit more detail.  Desired features For starters, it’s helpful to know what types of features you’re looking for in your project management tool, so you have an idea of what types of plans to consider. Many project management software companies offer free versions of their tools with reduced functionality or a set number of users. These types of solutions may work when getting started, but if you choose a free option, you may want to explore upgraded feature capability in the future. Fee structure Another important aspect of the pricing model is whether you’ll be paying per user or a flat fee. You’ll also want to understand if you’re paying monthly or annual subscription fees. These pricing models play a key role in determining the overall budget available for your project management software and whether or not a tool fits within those restrictions. Additional costs Don’t forget to add in additional costs. Ask about implementation, training, and support fees and how each of those components is factored into pricing. Especially if the tool is new to you and your entire team, you’ll want to make sure you can offer some training led by the experts to help your team members get up and running successfully. While some basic support might be included in the price, determine whether you’ll need advanced support (and what that costs) — even if it’s only for a short period of time during the initial stages of implementation. With these considerations in mind, there’s a large pricing range for project management software for startups. As we mentioned, many service providers offer free plans with limited functionality or for a set number of users. Certain software programs may cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands per month depending on per-user or flat fee costs.  Wrike offers a mix of free and premium paid plans to help you meet your project management needs. With the free plan, you can invite unlimited users and all core elements of project management are included: file sharing, task management, real-time activity, and different views. You get 2 GB of storage space, basic integrations, and Cloud storage integrations. This is a great plan option if your startup team is just starting to dive into project management with the potential to upgrade later. Additionally, Wrike offers plan paid options, with increased functionality for larger teams and enterprises. What is the best project management tool for startups? The best project management tool for startups will vary depending on your specific needs, but Wrike is a great option for any startup who wants to lay an effective project management foundation — and then grow from there. Wrike offers many plans to choose from, which gives you the option to choose something more budget-friendly at the beginning and move on to a plan with more functionality and capabilities as your startup grows and needs more project management support.  We think Wrike is the best project management software for startups and offers the following features (and more) to help your startup succeed: Company-wide communication that eliminates silos and suits your business’ needs Better collaboration through file sharing, task management, and instant reporting capabilities  Increased visibility through customizable dashboards  Resource management functionality that promotes better-balanced workloads across the team  Flexibility to grow alongside your startup as it grows Templates to allow you to communicate and collaborate with ease 400+ app integrations so you can keep working with the tools you already know and love Remember that project management within your startup doesn’t have to be overly complex and burdensome. The right tool will allow you to make the smartest use of your limited resources, help you stay on top of deadlines to keep your customers and team happy, and give you the tools and processes needed to see projects through to success. Ready to take project management within your startup to the next level? Sign up for a free trial of Wrike and set your projects, team, and startup up for success.

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Project Management Information Systems in a Multi-Project Environment

• First Online: 01 January 2014
• pp 1355–1383

Cite this chapter

• Marjolein C. J. Caniëls 7 &
• Ralph J. J. M. Bakens 7  

Part of the book series: International Handbooks on Information Systems ((INFOSYS))

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Project management information systems (PMIS) should provide project managers with decision making support for planning, organizing, and controlling projects. Most project managers are dissatisfied with the information produced by PMIS. Based on a survey among 101 project managers the interactions between six factors related to PMIS information quality and usage and their effect on decision making are examined in a multi-project environment. Using structural equation modeling, new insights were gained in these complex relationships. Results indicate that the use of a project management information system is advantageous to project managers, while no adverse effects were observed due to project and information overload. PMIS information quality is positively related to quality of the decisions, satisfaction of project managers with PMIS and use of PMIS information. Simultaneous handling of multiple projects causes project managers to extend conclusions about the information quality for one project to all projects at hand.

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Marjolein C. J. Caniëls & Ralph J. J. M. Bakens

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Christoph Schwindt

Jürgen Zimmermann

Appendix 1: Constructs and Measures

• Significance level of PLS factor loading: ∗ p  < 0. 05; ∗∗ p  < 0. 01; ∗∗∗ p  < 0. 001 a Reverse-coded for a correct calculation of the composite reliability (Ringle et al.  2005 )
• b Reverse-coded
• c After removing the items PO-4 and 5, IQ-1, SAT-1 and 4, USE-2 and 3, and DM-3

Appendix 2: Correlation Classification

Appendix 3: Item-Construct Cross-Loadings

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Caniëls, M.C.J., Bakens, R.J.J.M. (2015). Project Management Information Systems in a Multi-Project Environment. In: Schwindt, C., Zimmermann, J. (eds) Handbook on Project Management and Scheduling Vol. 2. International Handbooks on Information Systems. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05915-0_31

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What is a Project Management Information System?

Any time spent searching for information you need to complete a project is time wasted.

Scrolling through long email threads or sifting through tools or documents to find data is tedious and slows the entire project down.

There’s an endless amount of communication that needs to happen as a project progresses. If you can’t make sense of it, you’re not going to get anywhere fast.

It’s estimated that 41%  of companies that don’t rely on a PM operational or organizational system don’t complete their projects on time.

Using a project management information system is one way to make sure you’re hitting your deadlines and not wasting company cheddar. In this article, we’ll talk about what they are, how they work, and how to get started with one today.

What is a project management information system?

A project management  information system (PMIS solution) is a way to organize how a project manager gives and receives project information and data over the course of a project.

According to the Project Management Book of Knowledge  (PMBOK):

“A PMIS is an information system consisting of the tools and techniques used to gather, integrate, and disseminate the outputs of project management processes.”

Basically, it’s a centralized storage hub for all your essential project info.

PMBOK also states that a PMIS collects information from several places, including external tools your team is already using.

In fact, the ability to integrate with multiple tools is one of the biggest advantages of an online solution.

Modern, cloud-based PMIS software can store and process documents, links, notifications, emails, designs, written content, team messages, lines of code, and other project-based information and distribute it automatically and without mistakes.

For instance, here’s a snapshot of monday.com’s  notification search function — enabling PMs and their teams to quickly search and find relevant information sent to them:

This is, of course, just one tiny element of monday.com’s project management information system, but we’ll dive into that in a minute.

What are the essential features of project management information systems?

A good project management information system keeps track of everything from a project’s scope; project plan ; project schedule; costs; time, quality, and risk management; procurement; and relevant stakeholders.

To do so, it needs to collect a lot of data and information from several different places, process it all, and communicate it.

It must be easily retrieved, searched, and categorized. System users must also be able to easily share and analyze both how they see fit.

For that, you’ll need  these core features in a project management information system :

• Schedule and planning : timelines, assignments to team members, workflow creation and reminders should all be incredibly easy to see and access.
• Automation : update team members without ever sending an email, and receive only the updates that are relevant to you.
• Resource management : whether it’s your team’s time or your budget, it should be incredibly easy to analyze how resources should be allocated or moved around as necessary.
• Control and performance : analyze how money and hours shift as a project progresses, and upgrade existing plans based on reality.
• Reporting and communication : you should be able to clearly see whatever data you want to see as well as the status of a project at all times — based on any variable — and communicate that status to stakeholders.
• Integrations : no matter what tools your team is using to complete tasks, they should be able to talk to your project management information system so you can view all information in one place.
• Mobile access : don’t ever be without access to project updates, especially if you’re working remotely or from the road.
• Different project views : however your brain best processes information — in spreadsheets, calendars, Kanban boards, Gantt charts, timelines, or another view, you should be able to toggle your project into that view easily.

For example, that last one should look something like this in your PMIS:

With all of these features in place, you’ll be able to rely on your project management information system for support throughout the entire project life cycle, and accurately plan future projects with greater detail.

By the way, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that monday.com has all of these features and more.

Don’t miss more quality content!

How do project management information systems work throughout the project life cycle.

A good project management tool becomes part of the life blood of a team — they’re with you from initiation to close, and are the backbone of planning new projects as they come down the line.

A PMIS is no different — here’s how they work for you in each stage of the project management life cycle .

• Initiation : use your project management information system to budget, calculate costs, allocate resources, define the scope of work and identify the right team members based on past data.
• Planning : fully develop and plan timelines, deadlines, create tasks and subtasks, and complete critical path analysis directly in your project management information system.
• Execution : as team members accomplish tasks, your project management information system will store documents, facilitate communication and automatically update relevant stakeholders as plans progress.
• Monitoring : a project management information system will collect, organize and store data for project managers to analyze and communicate to a relevant stakeholder.
• Closure : once complete, a project management information system allows a project manager to ensure that a project has met all its goals and objectives. You can accomplish performance reviews, productivity analysis, and final reports easily, while also archiving historical data for future projects.

Basically, you can use your project management information system for almost all aspects of project management, keeping you organized and reducing team frustration due to miscommunication and duplicate work.

Try monday.com as your project management information system

There are a lot of different types of PMIS software out there.

Some just simply collect files. Most of them support scheduling, approvals, and the collection and distribution of data. Automated data and reporting sweetens the deal for the right PMIS for your team.

In our not so humble opinion, monday.com is the best project management information system out there. We offer all of the above, while also allowing your team to reach project success.

Adding data to a dashboard from a new tool is easy too. Select from a list of interactions directly from the dashboard where you’re working.

Once connected, monday.com auto populates the data from that new tool directly into your dashboard as a new column.

This leads into one of the features we think makes monday.com stand out from the rest.

That data and information can be displayed in multiple views— a table, a Kanban board, a Gantt chart , a timeline, and so much more.

Here’s an example of how the dashboard changes as you toggle to different views:

And you never have to start from scratch. We have hundreds of pre-made, customizable workflow templates, and you can easily duplicate templates from past projects.

Here’s an example:

Minimize project lags due to small things like human error by automating notifications and workflows as much as possible.

With all of these basic features to lay the groundwork for your team, you’re bound to see smoother sailing the next time you and your team embark on your next challenge.

Final thoughts

Monday.com offers so much more than just a project management information system.

We help your project team achieve success through the organization and management of any task, project documents, procedures, and more through a streamlined and automated system.

If you’re looking for a solution to your project management needs that transcends the project management information system, organizes your time, and is incredibly easy to use, consider monday.com .

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