Project management information system implementation framework for building construction

Abstract

Project Management Information System (PMIS) today embraces numerous advanced technologies including context awareness, wireless communication technologies, Global Positioning System (GPS), cloud computing, quantum technology, and robotics. These technologies enhance the efficiency of a PMIS and its effectiveness in information communication (improve the information transfer and improve collaboration). PMIS has existed in the Malaysian construction industry for quite a while. However, PMIS has not been fully utilised where construction management (CM) teams are unable to take advantage of the benefits of PMIS as they are still trying to discover the right way to implement PMIS into current practices. Most construction managers do not know how and when to adopt PMIS in the construction management lifecycle due to a lack of guidelines in the form of detailed processes and steps involved in the implementation of PMIS. These guidelines are expected to be able to assist the construction management team in implementing a PMIS effectively in their project. Therefore, this research aims to develop a PMIS implementation framework for building construction management in Malaysia that would be able to assist construction management teams in implementing PMIS in a structured manner. A semi-structured interview was carried out with respondents that have experience and currently involved in managing building projects using PMIS in Malaysia. Findings from a thematic analysis of the interview data show that the CM team is lacking in knowledge, experience, and proper guideline in adopting the PMIS in their construction management process. Consequently, they were unable to fully benefit from the existing PMIS. The implementation framework was developed and validated with construction managers in the industry as a strategic approach for PMIS implementation in the Malaysian building construction management. The framework is also expected to be able to fill the gap in PMIS implementation by enhancing the capabilities of the CM team in implementing PMIS with the right process and the benefit of PMIS implementation could be fully obtained in improving the construction project management, specifically for beginners to PMIS either in Malaysia or other countries. In addition, the framework supports the increased productivity in construction projects by using new technology and building a solid base towards Construction 4.0.