WFP - OPTIMUS


AWARDS:

2021: Franz Edelman Award - World's most prestigious prize in analytics and optimisation

2022: WFP Innovation Awards - one of five winners


  •   CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES - Optimus is WFP's integrated digital platform for humanitarian supply chain management, utilising advanced models to recommend food baskets, procurement strategies, and optimal distribution routes with real-time data.


  •  IMPLEMENTED SOLUTIONS  - Designed intuitive web interfaces and interactive prototypes. Developed a market data visualisation application with dynamic dashboards, APIs for real-time data acquisition, and a comprehensive food procurement management system with advanced optimisation algorithms and structured database.


  •  CHALLENGES - Existing models were slow in processing data, performance degraded with user growth, an intuitive interface was needed for non-technical users, and integrated analytics with dynamic visualisations were required to support confident decision-making.


  •  VICTORIES - Integrated large data volumes with automated optimisation, generating measurable savings of approximately 15 million US dollars for WFP. The platform, field-tested and designed to be intuitive, was successfully implemented across multiple countries and global missions.


  • TECHNOLOGIES - Methodologies: Agile team management / Pair Programming | Architectures: Python/Django / ReactJs / Postgres DB / WFP UI Kit / AG Grid / AM Charts.


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CONTEXT & GOALS

Optimus is WFP's (World Food Programme) integrated digital platform for optimised humanitarian supply chain management. 

It collects data from multiple sources and utilises advanced models to recommend the most cost-effective food baskets, procurement strategies, and distribution routes. By transforming complex logistics into clear operational intelligence, Optimus helps WFP deliver aid more efficiently wherever it operates. 

The objective was to build a scalable, efficient, and intuitive platform that enabled all users to make rapid, confident decisions with real-time data and analytics.​

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IMPLEMENTED SOLUTIONS

  • Interface and User Experience Design: designed clean, intuitive web interfaces and interactive prototypes to support usability for all user types.
  • Market Data Visualisation Application:
  1. Frontend: built dynamic dashboards and interactive charts to visualise real-time market data.
  2. Backend: developed application programming interfaces for real-time data acquisition, processing, and delivery.
  • Food Procurement Management System
  1. Frontend: enabled users to create, compare, and analyse different procurement scenarios through a simple interface.
  2. Backend: implemented advanced optimisation algorithms and analytics to support data-driven procurement decisions.
  3. Database: structured data storage for all procurement scenarios, configurations, and results histories.

CHALLENGES

  • Computational Efficiency: existing models were sluggish when processing even moderately-sized datasets—a solution was needed to deliver rapid calculations without saturating CPU or memory resources.
  • Scalable Data Management: as the user base grew, system performance had begun to degrade—requiring an architecture that could scale seamlessly. 
  • Intuitive User Interface: many users were non-technical, therefore requiring a clean, responsive user interface capable of guiding them intuitively, reducing the need for training.
  • Decision Support Functionality: teams needed integrated analytics and dynamic visualisations that highlighted anomalies, trends, and next steps, enabling users to make confident decisions.

VICTORIES

  • Intelligent Data and Planning: integrated large data volumes to drive food procurement decisions at scale.
  • Automated Optimisation: simplified complex procurement scenarios using advanced algorithms.
  • Over $15 Million Saved: delivered real, measurable impact—saving WFP approximately 15 million US dollars.
  • Field-Tested: optimisation confirmed through real-world usage.
  • Designed for People: transformed a complex engine into an intuitive, user-friendly interface.
  • Una Presenza Globale: implementato con successo in diversi paesi e missioni.