RefModPM:: A conceptual reference model for project management information systems

Project management information systems have changed considerably in the last decade. Today they go far beyond traditional scheduling as well as resource management. These systems have become comprehensive information systems (IS) that support the entire life cycle of projects, project programmes and project portfolios. In this context, project-oriented organizations face a new challenge: the design, implementation and operation of such information systems has become increasingly complex, since numerous processes have to be considered, diverse stakeholder interests taken into account and corresponding software systems selected. The reference model for project management IS (RefMod(PM)) presented here addresses these challenges and aims to support corresponding implementation projects. This article introduces RefMod(PM) by discussing its construction process and evaluation, as well as providing an overview of its architecture and presenting one part of the reference model in detail.