The study adopts a qualitative design within the Design Science Research (DSR) framework. The MVP was iteratively developed and evaluated using critical realism to understand organizational challenges. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, user observations, and document analysis to assess the MVP's usability, integration, and efficiency. A cross-sectional time horizon ensured a focused examination of the MVP during its initial implementation phase.

The study shows that the developed MVP of an intelligent document management system can measurably increase the efficiency of project-related work processes. The combination of AI-supported classification, automated filing via Power Automate, and data-based transparency with Power BI enabled all five research questions to be answered positively. The experts confirmed improvements in search speed, error reduction, user satisfaction, and strategic overview. However, consistent governance and monitoring using KPIs remain prerequisites for sustainable success.