Concurrent Workshops

Workshop A :: Managing Performance in Humanitarian Logistics (Instructor: Maria Rey, Senior Lecturer - Customized Programs, GTSCL and Executive Director, CELSC

In the for-profit logistics world, key logistics objectives are the maximization of profitability and customer satisfaction. In the humanitarian logistics space, in addition to minimizing cost while optimizing delivery times, the KEY concern is the impact of performance as a determinant of the survival of the affected population. Therefore logisticians have to manage a different set of rules when allocating inventory, deciding transportation modes, and selecting vendors or stocking locations. In addition to this complexity, most humanitarian organizations have a large set of stakeholders that care about the organization performance, thus complicating the designing of metrics when balancing the needs of donors, beneficiaries, suppliers and internal management. The objective of this workshop is to present participants with a proven framework to manage and measure performance in humanitarian logistics operations. We will review the parameters for metric design, will identify the appropriate metrics for logistics performance, and explore the management applications of performance measuring systems such as benchmarking, self-assessments, financial justification and project analysis. This workshop will be led by Maria Rey, expert in designing logistics and supply chain performance measurement systems and with experience in designing such systems in humanitarian logistics environments for organizations like WorldVision (Central America), Pan-American Health Organization (Washington, DC), FUSAL, MINCI (Colombia), and leading workshops like this for multiple humanitarian organizations' logistics operations as part of the Fritz Institute's Humanitarian Logistics Conference in Geneva.

Workshop B :: USACE Simulation and Modeling Program for Disaster Preparedness (Instructor: Steven Diaz, Deputy Director of the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Readiness Support Center (RSC)

The US Army Corps of Engineers Readiness Support Center has developed a geospatial simulation tool (SIM Tool) for preparedness purposes that simulates impacts based upon the most valid and relevant modeling methodology, and displays them in a GIS viewer application. The Sim Tool contains scenario predictive information for hurricanes, earthquakes, and flood events modeled by simulation specialists and validated by professional and academic communities of practice through collaborative ventures. The program details impact information for social, economic, and critical infrastructure for hurricane, earthquake, and flood events. The program in its current iteration is used for preparedness in training and exercise venues to illustrate in a powerful way the points and issues of interest for planning and response readiness and strategic decision making. The Corps 5 year plan is to expand the database and program predictive capability to support a wider range of scenarios for both CONUS and OCONUS venues. The Sim Tool program and project lead is Dr. Steve Diaz of the USACE Readiness Support Center. The workshop session will provide an overview demonstration of the Tool and the way ahead for near and long term development.

Workshop C :: Technology at Work in Humanitarian Relief: Aidmatrix and UPSTrackpad Case Studies (Instructor: Chip Chappelle, Director of Humanitarian Supply Chain Logistics, UPS)

UPS actively supports multiple initiatives which provide benefit to the relief community. This workshop provides a holistic description of three of these initiatives. First, the workshop will review the Aidmatrix International Portal, which provides a technology platform for connecting donors, relief organizations, and transportation providers, such as UPS. Next, a discussion of the Aidmatrix Warehouse Commodity Tracking System, that provides a low cost inventory management solution for field NGO operations, will be held. Finally, a case study on the use of UPS Trackpad by Salvation Army during the response in Haiti will be presented. In all cases, the workshop will include discussion about how NGOs are using the technologies. Representatives from Aidmatrix, CARE, and The Salvation Army will be co-facilitators. The fee for this workshop is waived thanks to sponsorship by UPS (while capacity is available).