Implementing Project Management Information Systems for Effective Mitigation of Project Risks in Developing Nations

A Focus on Nigeria

Abstract

Many projects in developing nations fail and get abandoned due to improper use of project resources, lack of standard practices, shortage of inadequate skilled project managers, and low adoption of technologies and information systems in project development lifecycle. This study examines implementing project management information systems (PMIS) for effective mitigation of project risks in developing nations, focusing on Nigeria. The Theory of Acceptance Model is adopted to explore project managers’ planned behavior in the adoption of PMIS in their project development cycle. An online questionnaire was used to gather data from 130 respondents, who are key players and relevant stakeholders in Nigerian project management organizations. The respondents’ perceptions were quantified based on their attributes of adopting project management information systems for the mitigation of project risks. Statistical techniques of mean, correlation and regression were used for the data analysis. The results show occasional adoption of PMIS applications for managing various stages of projects, from planning to evaluation; PMIS exerting significant positive influence on expected project outcomes; a strong positive relationship (r = 0.827) between the use of PMIS application tools and project outcomes; and a mild positive relationship (r = 0.435) between the frequency of PMIS usage and the project outcome. The positive influence included improved work productivity, quality of decision and control of project activities and schedule, efficient resource allocation, and effective time management. The study concludes that the implementation of PMIS can lead to effective mitigation of project risks in developing nations. Developing nations’ organizations should adopt PMIS.