From Excel to ProMIS

Morgan Nwango- PWD Engineer for Penama Province navigating ProMIS

The management information system which was used by the PWD before was based on Excel.  But this created several problems. First, it created confusion because several files were created, and there was no proper version labelling.  Second, the files were not accessible by PWD staff so that they could get updated information on the status of road works and the issues and challenges that PWD divisions in the six provinces were facing. This affected the ability of divisional managers to make decisions regarding the appropriate actions to take to support PWD staff in implementing their work successfully.

However, with R4D2 support, the PWD road works information data was integrated into the Project Management Information System (ProMIS), a web-based road management information system that enables PWD divisional staff across Vanuatu to access information on road network progress, challenges, and issues.  PWD staff are not familiar in navigating a management information system of this nature, so Mr Syafrizal Rawindra, the system developer and R4D2 MIS Adviser trained and coached PWD staff so they could acquire the necessary skills and knowledge in navigating the system. They were also trained not just on how to input data into the system but also on how to use the data for planning and reporting purposes.

The PWD staff, as a result, was able to make use of ProMIS to assist them in their daily tasks.  Mr John Tavuti, PWD’s fleet manager, said “I like ProMIS because it captures everything.  It becomes easier for me to know the condition of PWD’s machines”. With the information available on ProMIS, Mr Tavuti is now able to make decisions on how to manage PWD’s fleet better.

On the other hand, Mr Nathan Tabi, Tafea Division Manager said that “ProMIS is becoming more useful these days because the information I need for planning, reporting and decision making can be accessed more or less immediately.”