Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) are often seen as silver bullets for capital project efficiency but too many fail before they begin. In this insightful session at the Construction Technology Confex UAE 2025, Mohammad Alshenqiti, PMO Director at Madinah Region Municipality, laid out a blueprint for success that’s grounded not just in software, but in process, discipline, and common sense.
WHY MOST CAPITAL PROJECTS FAIL
According to Alshenqiti, the construction industry remains high-risk and low-margin, with global studies showing that:
- 30% of construction costs are wasted due to errors and inefficiencies (Stanford)
- Over 60% of capital programs fail to meet schedule and budget goals (McKinsey)
The underlying cause? Poor planning, fragmented information, manual reporting, and the lack of structured as-built documentation. These issues create gaps that compound throughout a project’s lifecycle.
PMIS: MORE THAN JUST SOFTWARE
A PMIS doesn’t have to be complex. It could be as simple as an Excel spreadsheet or as sophisticated as a multi-module platform. What matters is how it’s implemented. The objective is simple but powerful: automate workflows, ensure control over time and budget, and deliver high-quality, data-driven project performance.
Alshenqiti emphasized that before automation, processes must be mapped and tested manually. “Build it on paper first,” he said, recalling lessons from his time at Saudi Aramco.
A DISCIPLINED APPROACH: DAD (Disciplined Agile Delivery)
The heart of the presentation revolved around the DAD methodology:
- Start with the client’s wishlist
- Design dynamic, adaptable processes
- Avoid customization for its own sake
- Define roles and authority from day one
- Use gate-stage frameworks to control delivery
DAD emphasizes agile delivery grounded in reality, incremental implementation, constant adaptation, and ongoing refinement.
THE POWER OF PROCESS VISIBILITY
One of the most striking parts of the presentation was a visual example of PMIS at work: a dashboard that shows everything on one screen, pile location, costs, timeline, responsible parties, and current status. This integrated view of progress, cost, and accountability is what every project manager wants but few achieve.
To get there, Alshenqiti advised:
- Establish a clear construction solution architecture (like a master plan for data)
- Create a process backlog, some bad ideas may become valuable later
- Use RACI matrices to define responsibility and eliminate overlap
- Develop flowcharts and procedures on paper before software implementation
LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE: PLAN, THEN AUTOMATE
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from the session was a simple roadmap: don’t rush to digitize. Build it, test it, stress it, then automate it. The true foundation of agility, Alshenqiti explained, is not just speed, it’s clarity.
CONCLUSION: IT’S ABOUT TEAMWORK, NOT TOOLS
Alshenqiti closed with a key message: a PMIS will fail if the team isn’t aligned. Integration isn’t just about software, it’s about shared understanding, mutual accountability, and clearly defined roles.
His roadmap offers a practical, proven path for those managing capital projects across the region. With a PMIS that’s grounded in process and guided by best practices, organizations can reduce rework, raise ROI, and finally deliver projects with clarity and confidence.
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