The DHIS2 software platform is developed at the Department of Informatics at the University of Oslo and used by public and private organizations in more than 60 countries to support the work of health managers and clinicians. Like many other software platforms, DHIS2 allows local developers to build custom applications or 'apps' on top of the generic 'core'. This allows for local design and innovation where the generic features can be extended with functionality and user interfaces that are needed for specific users to make the software more valuable according to their needs. These apps may also be of relevance to the larger community of DHIS2 users, and be published on an 'App Hub' for others to use.
Developing apps do, however, require competence in many aspects, including basic web development, frameworks such as React, and more advanced knowledge on DHIS2-specific app development resources (e.g., an app development platform, APIs, Design Systems). In this master project, students (1-3) will work together on exploring and developing competence-building resources to equip new and existing practitioners within the DHIS2 software ecosystem with the skills needed to design and develop apps. The work will be based on the newly developed online course which is used in the IN5320 master subject at UiO. Although the online resources are built and refined through use in the course for two years, there is much potential in developing it further with useful features and content. The students will work together with DHIS2 experts in the community, for instance in Mozambique, Tanzania, and Rwanda to understand what is needed, and how such resources can support new and experienced developers. The IN5320 course will also act as an arena to test and evaluate the resources.
The master students will be part of the DHIS2 Design Lab, working together with a larger group of master students and researchers in exploring various aspects of design, development, and innovation in enterprise software ecosystems. The master project will contribute directly to our work on strengthening design, development, and innovation practices in the ecosystem around DHIS2 - the most widely used health management information software in the world.