The effects of Project Management Information Systems on decision making in a multi project environment

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.

Research highlights
► Structural equation modeling of factors related to PMIS information quality and use.
► The use of a PMIS is advantageous to project managers.
► No adverse effects were observed due to project and information overload.
► PMIS information quality is positively related to the use of PMIS information.
► PMIS information quality is positively related to decision quality and satisfaction.