Project setup

Once the sources and providers are uploaded we can start setting up the project.

A new project can be created by clicking on the + icon in the projects page.


Most of the fields in the project setting are self-explanatory here we will describe the ones that need some extra information.

In the goal step the user needs to define the specific objective of the project (e.g. Evaluate Referral network, Enhance sample collection, Improve disease detection, etc.) and select the region in which it will apply, it can be a whole country or a region inside it.

In the consumers' section, the first step is to select the source. There are two types of sources: Raster sources and point sources (details about sources)

The Consumer unit aims to define a subset of the population, for the time being, we don't have raster files with that level of detail, so we usually set this value as the general population.

Demand unit refers to the specific population that will generate the demand for the service to be provided (e.g. HIV positive, suspected cholera cases, Sustepcted COVID19 cases)

The target value needs to be filled with the proportion of the population that belongs to the demand unit.


Inside the Providers section, we first need to select the provider set, if any, otherwise we can start a project without any provider and build them within the project.

The Providers unit usually refer to the place in which the service is provided (e.g Hospitals, Laboratories)

The Capacity unit needs to be filled with the information of the specific unit that will satisfy the demand (e. test devices, beds in hospitals, etc.)

Then the user will define the number of cases (measured on-demand units) that each Capacity unit will be able to serve. (Genexpert will provide service for 100 tests TB diagnosis per month)




In the Coverage section, the user can combine the different transportations methods (walking and by car) or just use a distance buffer. This setting allows Planwise to calculate the coverage area for the providers. 

The combination of different transport methods results in the union of both, depending on the time period defined.



The Actions section allows the user to define the available budget and costs. It is not mandatory a user can create a project without defined costs and budget by unselecting the Budget checkbox.

If budget and costs are available the user will be able to define

  • Total budget
  • Costs for creating a new provider
  • Costs for upgrading an existing provider (so it is ready to provide the service)
  • Costs for increasing the capacity of an existing provider