Task Prioritization Squad Kickoff

Product Squads
1

Objective

The Task Prioritization Squad aims to develop a dynamic task prioritization system for Community Health Workers (CHWs) to efficiently identify and address high-priority tasks based on patient/household needs. The goal is to reduce manual sorting, minimize errors, and improve care delivery timelines.

Requirements & Problem Statement

Key Needs:

  • Triage System: Automatically prioritize tasks (e.g., registrations, referrals, assessments) based on urgency and risk factors.
  • Dynamic Scoring: Combine task type, due date proximity, and individual risk factors into a configurable priority score.
  • Flexibility: Allow project-specific customization via app settings.
  • Transparency: Log score calculations to monitor algorithm effectiveness.

Pain Points Addressed:

  • Overwhelming task volumes with manual prioritization.
  • Risk of missing critical tasks due to human error.
  • Lack of real-time adaptation to patient condition changes.

Pilot Timeline: Target implementation for early June (Zanzibar).

Design & Implementation

Proposed Solution (MVP):

  1. Priority Scoring:
  • Formula: Score = Task Type Weight + Due Date Weight + Risk Factor Weight.
  • Recalculated on: Patient changes, new reports, or every 7 days.
  • Configurable via task settings (backward-compatible).
  1. Front-End:
  • Sort tasks by score (high-to-low).
  • Future phases: Visual indicators (colors/icons) and notifications.

Alternatives Considered:

  • Multi-number priority arrays (e.g., separate scores for due/overdue tasks).
  • Simpler due-date-based weighting (e.g., +5 for overdue tasks).

Current Status:

  • Design doc in progress
  • Squad members assigned to scoring logic and UI designs

Way Forward:

  • Finalize scoring logic and test configurations.
  • Develop front-end sorting (iterative rollout).

Join the Squad!

Are you facing similar task management challenges? You can contribute to:

  • Technical Development: Scoring algorithms, UI improvements.
  • Testing & Feedback: Pilot implementations.
  • Documentation: Use-case examples and best practices.

Next Steps:

Together, we can build a smarter, more responsive CHT!

2 Likes
2

Hello guys.

I have picked up the coding of the priority score. I am looking for your advise/opinion on how I can handle the following task types.

Also the Individual risk factors. If you know any documentation that handles this, please direct me. Thanks.

Risk Factor Weight Notes
Known chronic condition and medication defaulter +2 Chronic condition — requires regular follow-up and strict medication regime
Known immunisation defaulter +2 High priority, especially if pregnant or breastfeeding
Previously referred (any reason) +1 Indicates recent or ongoing health issue
Known previous danger signs in pregnancy or delivery
Known condition - LBW baby, complication during delivery +3
Pregnant and <20 years +2 Adolescent pregnancy — high maternal and neonatal risk
Pregnant and >35 years +2 Increased obstetric risk
Multiparous (>4 children) +1 Associated with increased complications
Child with disability or chronic illness +2 Needs tailored, continuous care
Malnutrition history (2 yellow or red MUAC) +2 Ongoing risk of poor development and illness

I am new to the the CHT codebase, and I am trying to figure out some of the types, since most are inferred, and not explicitly defined in task.js

Task Type Weight Notes / Rationale
Emergency Follow-up: Pregnancy 10 High risk, life-threatening conditions
Emergency Follow-up: Postpartum 10 High risk period, especially first 7 days post-delivery
Emergency Follow-up: Child <1 month 10 Critical neonatal period
Emergency Follow-up: Child <1 year 9 Still high risk, especially for severe illness or danger signs
Follow-up: Red MUAC 9 Severe acute malnutrition, needs urgent attention
Follow-up: 2 Consecutive Yellow MUAC Readings 8 Risk of deterioration into severe malnutrition
Follow-up: Pregnancy Outcome after EDD 8 Crucial for program tracking and postnatal care
Routine PNC Visit (within 48 hours, day 3-7) 8 High impact on maternal and newborn outcomes
Routine Newborn Visit (within 48 hours, 3-7 days and 3-9 days) 7 Important for early detection of newborn conditions
Follow-up on Missed Vaccination AND vaccination defaulters 7 Ensures catch-up immunization and protection
Routine ANC Visit (based on gestational age) 8 Scheduled care supports safe pregnancy
Follow-up on Pregnancy Danger Signs (not emergency) 5 Needs close monitoring, even if not referred
Routine Visit for Child Under 6 months 6 Growth monitoring, immunization, early illness detection
Routine visit for Children under three years 6 Growth monitoring, immunization, ECD, early illness detection
Chronic Disease Monitoring (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) 5 Important for NCD care, less urgent unless high risk
Mental Health Referral Follow-up 5 Moderate risk, based on case severity
Follow-up on TB Treatment Adherence 5 Key for public health, esp. in high burden areas
Routine Visit for Elderly/Chronic Conditions 5 General health check-ins
Community Monthly Meeting 4 Required engagement, but not urgent
Update Missing Information 3 Important for data quality, low urgency
Routine Household Visit 2 Foundational, but not urgent unless risk is detected to compleate assessments eg. WASH and stagnant water info done overy 6 months
Meeting with CHW Superviser and peers 4 CHW-side admin responsibility
Conduct Health Campaign (e.g., bed nets, deworming) Variable Depends on urgency and timeframe — configurable case by case
Follow-up on Non-Emergency Referral 4 Should not be forgotten; can reveal underlying health needs