Synergizing Progress: Integrating Information Technology for Proactive Project Monitoring

4 February 20244 February 2024 Md Saifuddin Mujaddidi , Furqan Qamar

IT solutions offer real-time dashboards and analytics, providing insights into project progress, key performance indicators (KPIs), and potential risks. This aids in avoiding overallocation or shortages of resources, which can cause delays and cost overruns. These IT tools find application not only in governmental initiatives but also in private sector infrastructure projects.

The integration of Information Technology (IT) is pivotal in project monitoring, as it furnishes tools and systems that improve efficiency, precision, and transparency across the entire project lifecycle. IT solutions offer real-time dashboards and analytics, providing insights into project progress, key performance indicators (KPIs), and potential risks. This aids in avoiding overallocation or shortages of resources, which can cause delays and cost overruns. Nowadays, IT tools coordinate with achieving the objectives of project monitoring irrespective of government or private infrastructure projects. In this attempt, the integration of IT tools in the monitoring of government projects is specifically emphasised.

An example of the integration of IT tools in the monitoring of government projects is the Central Sector Projects. The Infrastructure and Project Monitoring Division (IPMD) monitors the status of Central Sector Projects costing over Rs. 150 crores through the Online Computerised Monitoring System (OCMS). (Government of India, 2023)

OCMS is an application programme designed for government-to-government (G2G) use based on Oracle. Through a web-based interface, it allows many project-executing agencies to record and view project progress data regularly. (Mujaddidi & Qamar, 2023)

Also Read: OCMS: An Ideal Tracking Mechanism For Central Sector Projects

Another example of the integration of IT tools in project monitoring is infrastructure projects under the Bharatmala Pariyojana. The program’s main goal is to maximise the effectiveness of people and freight transportation across the nation. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), the Road Wing of the MoRTH, and the State Public Works Departments are the implementing agencies of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), which oversees the implementation of the Bharatmala Pariyojana.

The effective implementation of projects using IT-based project monitoring results in the reduction of both cost overruns and delays, thereby making a significant contribution to the economic advancement of a nation.

The implementing agencies of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), which oversees the implementation of the Bharatmala Pariyojana has adopted five online systems for keeping track of the progress of its infrastructure projects. These include Project Monitoring Information System (PMIS), Bhoomi Rashi, Bidder Information Management System (BIMS), Performance Management System ‘Lakshya’ and Comprehensive Enterprise Resource Planning.

Also Read: Rebooting Infrastructure: National Infrastructure Pipeline Dashboard

PMIS – To track and monitor the status of all the projects, the MoRTH, NHAI, and NHIDCL created the Project Monitoring Information System (PMIS) in November 2016. In October 2018, significant improvements were seen to the application as part of the eDisha programme.
Bhoomi Rashi – The National Information Centre created Bhoomi Rashi, a web-based application/portal, in May 2017 to digitise the land acquisition processes for national highway projects. The portal’s primary goal was to move towards digitization and transparency by implementing an easy-to-use, error-free, and transparent system through the e-transfer of benefits directly to the beneficiaries’ accounts.
BMIS – The Bidder Information Management System (BIMS) was created in November and December 2017 for the MoRTH, NHAI, and NHIDCL. Its purposes include online technical bid evaluation, bidder-specific pre-qualification process acceleration, and maintenance of technical information about civil works bids from contractors and concessionaires.
Lakshya – To track the performance of all technical staff from 2017 to 2018, the NHAI launched the online performance management tool “Lakshya” on July 12, 2016. The tool measures the achievement of construction and award targets against quantifiable parameters, such as the length of awarded and constructed kilometres.
Comprehensive Enterprise Resource Planning – A comprehensive ERP system, or eDISHA, was to be set up across MoRTH, NHAI, and NHIDCL following its Standard Operating Procedure. This was to integrate all separate, isolated legacy systems and tools, create a consolidated database of information, digitise documents and records, and enable electronic workflows. (Government of India, 2023)

The incorporation of information technology in the proactive surveillance of projects is discernible in antecedent iterations. These IT tools find application not only in governmental initiatives but also in private sector infrastructure projects. This stems from the fact that these tools function as a regulatory apparatus, facilitating the real-time monitoring of project execution. The effective implementation of projects results in the reduction of both cost overruns and delays, thereby making a significant contribution to the economic advancement of a nation.

Also Read: Going the Smart Technologies Way: New Tech Innovations for Positive Impact on Human Behavior Needed

References

Mujaddidi, M. S., & Qamar, F. (2023, August 15). Online Computerised Monitoring System. TheRise.Co.In. https://therise.co.in/16032/online-computerised-monitoring-system/
Government of India (2023). Annual Report 2022-23. Retrieved from https://www.mospi.gov.in/sites/default/files/publication_reports/AnnualReport2022-23_0.pdf
Government of India (2023). Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Implementation of Phase-I of Bharatmala Pariyojana. Retrieved fromhttps://cag.gov.in/webroot/uploads/download_audit_report/2023/Report-No.-19-of-203–Bharatmala-English-064d5db7bc63c20.06754442.pdf

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About the author

Md Saifuddin Mujaddidi

Md Saifuddin Mujaddidi is Research Scholar, Department of Management Studies, Faculty of Management Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

Furqan Qamar

Dr. Furqan Qamar is a former Advisor (Education) in the Planning Commission of India. He has been the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Rajasthan and Central University of Himachal Pradesh. Dr. Qamar is currently the Professor of Management at the Centre for Management Studies (CMS), Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi.