From insights to action: we introduce a smarter microplanning for field teams

Knowing where to act is only valuable if that insight can easily be translated into action on the ground.

That is why we are upgrading our Epi-control platform with an upgraded microplanning functionality, designed to make the step from data-driven prioritization to field implementation much easier.

And we are excited that IHVN in Nigeria, one of our pioneer partners, is the first partner to start using this new functionality.

Closing the gap between analytics and field operations

Until now, our portal has helped programme teams identify and prioritize geographic areas where interventions can have the greatest impact. Predictive models, programme data and contextual indicators allow users to understand where disease risk is highest and where activities such as active case finding should be prioritized.

But identifying a priority location is only the first step.

Someone still needs to translate that recommendation into an activity, communicate it to the people responsible for implementation, agree on when it can be done and follow up on its status.

With our upgraded portal, these steps become part of the platform itself. Programme managers will be able to select priority locations directly from the map and combine them into a Work Package: a practical set of locations and activities that can be assigned to a healthcare worker or field team.

For each location, users can define the activity to be carried out, set screening targets, add comments and propose a deadline for implementation.

Sharing field activities becomes much easier

Once created, a Work Package can be shared directly with the healthcare worker or field team responsible for implementation.

Through a simple link, the healthcare worker can see the selected locations and the relevant information associated with them. They can then accept the proposed assignment, indicate whether they can carry out the activity within the suggested timeframe, or propose an alternative date.

This creates a much more direct connection between programme planning and field implementation.

Instead of recommendations remaining on a dashboard or being transferred manually into spreadsheets, emails or messages, they can become trackable operational assignments.

From “Where should we screen?” to “Can we screen there next week?”

This may sound like a simple change, but we believe it represents an important improvement in the usability of the EPCON platform.

The Geoportal is evolving from a tool that primarily helps answer:

“Where should we focus our activities?”

to one that can also help answer:

“Who will act on this recommendation, have they accepted it, and when will it be done?”

Programme teams can maintain an overview of their Work Packages and their status, making it easier to coordinate multiple field activities across different locations and teams.

For field teams, the process becomes equally straightforward: they receive a clear assignment, see exactly which locations are being proposed, review the relevant information and respond.

Starting with IHVN in Nigeria

IHVN has been one of our pioneer partners and has played an important role in demonstrating how data and AI can support more targeted TB programming.

The new functionality takes this collaboration one step further: from using data to identify priority locations for screening to making those recommendations easier to operationalize with healthcare workers in the field.

Their experience will also provide valuable feedback as we continue to refine the functionality and make it available more broadly.

Making AI actionable

We believe that the value of predictive analytics is not in the prediction itself. Its value lies in whether it helps someone make a better decision – and ultimately take better action.

With the introduction of the improved microplanning, we are bringing analytics, planning and implementation closer together.

From identifying a hotspot, to assigning an activity, to agreeing when it will happen – all within one connected workflow. A seemingly small step in user experience. A significant step towards making data-driven public health action easier to implement.