Project_Information_System

DEFINITION A Project Information System (PIS) is a part of Management Information Systems (MIS) and manage information of a project centric organization. These electronic systems "help plan, execute, and close project management goals." PIS systems differ in scope, design and features depending upon an organization’s operational requirements. Project 'IS' is a planned system of collecting, storing, disseminating and processing data in the form of information needed to carry out the functions of management in a project. When information systems are designed to provide information needed for effective decision making by managers, they are called management information systems and when this information system helps in decision making for projects, it is called as Project IS. Thus, Project IS is a formal system for providing management with accurate and timely information necessary for decision making. OBJECTIVE The Project Information System is a flexible, comprehensive information system you can use to monitor and control your project data. You can evaluate individual projects, partial projects, or multiple projects. The system includes overview reports and reports offering various degrees of detail. The Project Information System is designed to meet the needs of both project management and ordinary project personnel. A project management information system is an integrated man – machine systems that provides information to support the planning and control function of manager in an organization. It does the following function: • serves managerial function • collects stores, evaluates information systematically and routinely • supports planning and control decisions • Includes files, hardware, software, software and operations research models. Application Area: Scheduling One of the most common purposes is to schedule a series of events or tasks and the complexity of the schedule can vary considerably depending on how the tool is used. Some common challenges include: • Events which depend on one another in different ways or dependencies. • Scheduling people to work on, and resources required by, the various tasks commonly termed resource scheduling. • Dealing with uncertainties in the estimates of the duration of each task. CALCULATING CRITICAL PATH In many complex schedules, there will be a critical path, or series of events that depend on each other, and whose durations directly determine the length of the whole project (see also critical chain). Some software applications (for example, Dependency Structure Matrix solutions) can highlight these tasks, which are often a good candidate for any optimization effort. Project planning software can be expected to provide information to various people or stakeholders, and can be used to measure and justify the level of effort required to complete the project(s). Typical requirements might include: • Tasks lists for people, and allocation schedules for resources • Overview information on how long tasks will take to complete • Early warning of any risks to the project • Information on workload, for planning holidays • Evidence • Historical information on how projects have progressed, and in particular, how actual and planned performance are related • Optimum utilization of available resource APPROACHES TO PROJECT IS AND SOFTWARE Desktop Project management software can be implemented as a program that runs on the desktop of each user. This typically gives the most responsive and graphically-intense style of interface. Desktop applications typically store their data in a file, although some have the ability to collaborate with other users (see below), or to store their data in a central database. Even a file-based project plan can be shared between users if it's on a networked drive and only one user accesses it at a time. Desktop applications can be written to run in a heterogeneous environment of multiple operating systems, although it's unusual. Web-based Project management software can be implemented as a Web application, accessed through an intranet, or an extranet using a web browser. This has all the usual advantages and disadvantages of web applications: • Can be accessed from any type of computer without installing software on user's computer • Ease of access-control • Naturally multi-user • Only one software version and installation to maintain • Centralized data repository • Typically slower to respond than desktop applications • Project information not available when the user (or server) is offline • Some solutions allow the user to go offline with a copy of the data Personal A personal project management application is one used at home, typically to manage lifestyle or home projects. There is considerable overlap with single user systems, although personal project management software typically involves simpler interfaces. See also non-specialized tools below. Single user A single-user system is programmed with the assumption that only one person will ever need to edit the project plan at once. This may be used in small companies, or ones where only a few people are involved in top-down project planning. Desktop applications generally fall into this category. Collaborative A collaborative system is designed to support multiple users modifying different sections of the plan at once; for example, updating the areas they personally are responsible for such that those estimates get integrated into the overall plan. Web-based tools, including extranets, generally fall into this category, but have the limitation that they can only be used when the user has live Internet access. To address this limitation, client-server-based software tools exist that provide a Rich Client that runs on users' desktop computer and replicate project and task information to other project team members through a central server when users connect periodically to the network. Some tools allow team members to check out their schedules (and others' as read only) to work on them while not on the network. When reconnecting to the database, all changes are synchronized with the other schedules. Integrated An integrated system combines project management or project planning, with many other aspects of company life. For example, projects can have bug tracking issues assigned to each project, the list of project customers becomes a customer relationship management module, and each person on the project plan has their own task lists, calendars, and messaging functionality associated with their projects. Similarly, specialised tools like SourceForge integrate project management software with source control (CVS) software and bug-tracking software, so that each piece of information can be integrated into the same system. COMPUTER BASED SOFTWARE The software is made through the language based on front language (V.B, JAVA) supported by back end like MS Access and PL/SQL, MY SQL. The CBIS i.e. Computer Based Information System now a day’s widely used in any organization in any department like HR, Finance, Production, Marketing. Manual based software is used when it is required for specific purpose and organization used it as a primary reference or model like when BCG Matrix developed by the Boston group, then they developed software which they used manually and then all the system is integrated. The MIS project is Computer based Information System that uses the application of the OOPS Methodology i.e. object oriented Programming system which matches with the real world. THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROJECT SOFTWARE IN USE Open-Source desktop applications • Open Proj • Gantt Project • Taskjuggler • Kplato • Open Workbench Open-Source web-based applications • DotProject • Project.Net • ProjectPier • TestLink • Trac • SharpForge Proprietary desktop applications • Artemis • Primavera Project Planner • Planisware OPX2 Pro • Merlin • Contactizer • Microsoft Project • RiskyProject • Tracker Suite Proprietary web-based applications • @task • 24SevenOffice • Central Desktop Importance and Advantage of PIS 1. It facilitates planning: MIS improves the quality of output by providing relevant information for sound decision – making. 2. It minimizes information overload: MIS change the larger amount of data into summarized form and there by avoids the confusion which may arise when managers are flooded with detailed facts. 3. It encourages decentralization: Decentralization of authority is possibly when there is a system for monitoring operations at lower levels. It can successfully be used for measuring performance and making necessary change in the project plans and procedures at any stage of the project. 4. It brings Co ordination: Project software facilities integration of specialized activities by keeping the management aware of the problems and requirements of the ongoing project. 5. It makes control easier: It serves as a link between managerial planning and control. It improves the ability of management to evaluate and improve performance. 6. The use of project soft wares increases the speed of data processing and storage capabilities and reduces the cost. 7. With the increase of complexity and size of the project it becomes increasingly difficult for the management to monitor and control each and every aspect of the project. It helps in managing the complexity. 8. It provides increased accuracy of time and cost estimates. 9. Timely visibility into existing and potential problems, allowing the management to prevent or quickly solve the issues. 10. It provides standardization of processes, which streamlines scheduling, budgeting, reporting and document control.