During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became clear that the Netherlands was not well prepared for a crisis of this magnitude. To take control of crucial medical-operational processes such as testing, contact tracing, and vaccination during pandemics, the Landelijke Functie Opschaling Infectieziektebestrijding (LFI) was established. In large-scale outbreaks, up-to-date information is crucial. Pipple supported the LFI in setting up and structuring its Datalab.
Indispensable data
“The LFI is working on preparedness for future crises related to infectious disease control,” says Thijs Bosch, Head of Planning, Support, and Advisory and Acting Head of LFI. To conduct large-scale testing, contact tracing, and vaccinations, data is essential. In developing the Datalab, we assess which data is needed for different scenarios. This includes data from partner organizations and public sources. The Datalab has become a key component within the LFI.
Bosch: “Pipple played a crucial role in setting up and structuring this lab. The organization was involved in every step of the process and played a key role in developing information products for the Datalab. These products are essential for making well-informed decisions during a crisis, based on reliable data.”
Effective decision-making
Additionally, Pipple contributed significantly to developing effective management information for the LFI leadership team. “For example, they built a dashboard that provides an instant overview of the roles and responsibilities of LFI employees, eliminating the need to manually go through all personnel records. Thanks to Pipple’s work, policymakers and decision-makers now have access to essential data, allowing them to make better-informed strategic decisions. This is crucial for effective crisis management.”
Strategic thinking and execution
Bosch: “Pipple not only thinks along from the LFI perspective but is also highly effective in execution, proactively taking action. It’s the perfect mix. They seamlessly translated our ideas and needs into concrete products, quickly delivering first concepts for review. This was incredibly valuable. At the same time, Pipple’s colleagues remained critical and challenged me to consider what dashboards should truly include. Even a small additional feature can require significant extra effort. It’s essential to weigh whether it’s worth it. This approach helped prevent dashboards from becoming overly complex with unnecessary functions.”
Smooth handover
The LFI aims to transition from external consultants to more permanent staff. “Pipple onboarded these new colleagues and built a strong, capable team. The work has now been successfully transferred, and the onboarding of new LFI employees is complete. With that, Pipple’s role in the project has come to an end.”
A complete package
The LFI looks back on a great collaboration with Pipple. Bosch: “Pipple was more than just a supplier; they were a true partner, helping LFI grow, strengthen, and enable data-driven decision-making. Pipple’s colleagues felt like part of our team. The communication was open, pleasant, and warm. Moreover, they regularly asked for feedback to continuously improve. It was a great way of working. From establishment and setup to final handover—Pipple delivered the full package.”
