Table 6 Lessons learned about applying the WISN methodology in Uganda

Stakeholder involvement

• Involve key stakeholders early in process

• Include stakeholders who will use WISN results (for example, district and hospital managers, policymakers)

Leadership and technical team

• Ensure presence of national steering committee appropriately housed and led by a high-level policymaker

• Establish multiskilled technical team comprising human resource managers, health professionals, health information officers, information technology experts and WISN experts

Data sources and reporting systems

• Understand reporting system

• Ascertain availability, definitions and location of workload and human resource data

• Target correct data sources and use data appropriately in WISN calculations

• Improve timeliness and quality of human resources information system reporting, including training data managers

• Establish interoperability of WISN software with existing workload reporting systems

WISN expertise

• Ensure training on correct use of the WISN tool

• Allow adequate time for WISN application

• Ensure clear understanding of each staff category to define appropriate activity standards