An evaluation strategy for software implementation in global health

The recent increase in the availability of both free and open-source software, coupled with the decrease in the time and capital expenditure required to implement, host, and support this software, has made technological solutions feasible in traditionally resource-constrained fields like global health. However, the expansion of options and the hidden costs of implementation have made it more difficult for non-technical executives and program managers to determine which tools will most effectively meet their needs. This talk will lay out a strategy for evaluating both free and open-source software (and explaining the differences between the two) in the context of global health, using case studies to illustrate the criteria crucial to making a sound decision. We will outline the costs of implementing, hosting, and supporting free software, comparing to commercial software and drawing lessons from our experiences developing software at the Global Health Delivery Project as well as the experiences of our colleagues. We will examine the role of the open-source community in the development of software for global health and teach you how to identify well-functioning communities as part of the evaluation process.