Implementation of openIMIS is likely to be successful in countries and contexts where a social protection scheme is in place and functioning well. Nevertheless, careful analysis of the particular circumstances is important, prior to any implementation of the technology.
This analysis should follow a series of key steps, which will help to ensure the conclusions reached are informative for decision-makers and positively influence the shape of the scheme.

STEP ONE: Review laws and regulations

The first step in a feasibility assessment should be a careful review of the relevant laws and regulations in the country (both national and local) that may restrict, or otherwise affect, the use of openIMIS. Laws that relate to data-hosting and the security of electricity supply may be of particular relevance.

STEP TWO: Research similar implementations

The next step is to research systems operating in the same (or comparable) country and circumstances. Understanding how other systems operate, how they were implemented, and the management structures in place, will provide important information to shape future decision-making. Learning lessons from past and current systems will help save resources in the long-term and reduce the risk of failure.

STEP THREE: Map social protection systems

Having established a clear understanding of the legal/regulatory landscape and learned key lessons from similar operations, the next step is to conduct a careful analysis of the social protection systems in place. This analysis should seek to understand the needs of the existing system (from an information management perspective) and any opportunities these might present. This will typically involve mapping the overall information ecosystem. The map should show the various organizations operating within the wider ecosystem and their specific roles, the interactions between different parts of the system, and the types of information shared between different systems and entities. It is also critical to understand and map the particular conditions and rules for the implementation including organizational, political and financial rules.

STEP FOUR: Identify information gaps

Having fully mapped the social protection systems, the next step will be to overlay or combine the various business processes to be covered by openIMIS. This will help to identify any information gaps that might require modifications to the software, for example translating the software into additional languages or building new functionality. Once complete, it will be possible to draft a complete description of the structures required to manage the social protection scheme.
The steps described above will help to inform key decisions related to the structure, scope, and likely costs for the planned implementation. The openIMIS initiative can provide additional relevant information that might contribute towards building a clear understanding of the software and how it can be an effective and efficient solution to improve healthcare systems, including experiences from previous implementations. The openIMIS team can also provide evaluation grids that will help to assess the costs for an implementation, and can provide useful information on financial support available from various sources.