Designing supply chains to meet the growing need of vaccines: evidence from four countries

Background Immunization supply chains (iSCs) move vaccines from manufacturer to point of use with the added complexities of requiring cold chain and an increasing need for agility and efficiency to ensure vaccine quality and availability. Underperforming iSCs have been widely acknowledged as a key constraint to achieving high immunization coverage rates in low- and middle-income countries. This paper details the system design approach used to analyze the iSC network in Sierra Leone, Madagascar, Niger and Guinea and documents six lessons. Methodology Between 2018 and 2020, these countries implemented the system design approach, involving four key steps: (1) advocate and introduce to engage stakeholders and prioritize identification of modeling scenarios; (2) collect data and plan analysis through document review and key informant interviews; (3) analyze system design scenarios using computer software modeling tools (LLamasoft’s Supply Chain Guru and AnyLogic's AnyLogistix) for optimization and simulation modeling as well as further analysis with Excel, Google maps, and OpenStreetMap; and (4) build consensus on optimized model and implementation roadmap using the Traffic Light Analysis tool and building on stakeholder input. Findings Key lessons include the following: (1) define system design objectives based on country priorities; (2) establish consensus with stakeholders on scenarios to model; (3) modeling provides the evidence but not the answer; (4) costs should not be weighted above other decision criteria; (5) data collection—work smarter, not harder; (6) not all questions can be answered with a computer model. Discussion A system design approach can identify changes to the design of the supply chain that can introduce efficiencies and improve reliability. This approach can be more effective when these lessons and principles are applied at the country level. The lessons from these four countries contribute to global thinking and best practices related to system design. The modeling and system design approach provides illustrative results to guide decision-makers. It does not give a "final answer", but compares and contrasts.

The Literature Review of De Novo Programming

De novo programming (DNP) is a system design approach which links system flexibility efficient and optimal system design. It shows that within single or multi-objective decision making framework. DNP allows the decision maker to achieve an ideal or meta-optimal system performance, or improve the performance of compromise solutions through the modification of the feasible region of decision alternatives. This paper considers a brief review of DNP, which provides a brief insight DNP and its applications.

The Literature Review of De Novo Programming

De novo programming (DNP) is a system design approach which links system flexibility efficient and optimal system design. It shows that within single or multi-objective decision making framework. DNP allows the decision maker to achieve an ideal or meta-optimal system performance, or improve the performance of compromise solutions through the modification of the feasible region of decision alternatives. This paper considers a brief review of DNP, which provides a brief insight DNP and its applications.

The 5Ds Model for Planning and Teaching Online Courses

This work is not intended to be a theory-based textbook about online learning. It is, however, an application-based guidebook for planning and teaching online courses. It presents a customized five-stage learning model that is based on the instructional system design approach (ISD). Therefore, this chapter is mainly devoted to introducing the 5Ds (define, design, develop, deliver, and determine) Model for Planning and Teaching Online Courses depicted in this book. However, a brief background summary of the online learning evolvement and a theoretical framework of online learning are also included to put the 5Ds model into perspective.