FEWS NET Hub Quarterly Performance Report (July - September 2021)_FINAL

The Hub's work is organized into four workstreams: the Data Management Platform (DMP); the Web Platform; Knowledge and Learning (K&L); and Management. The Hub's achievements from July 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021 are documented in this Quarterly Performance Report. The Data Management Platform workstream consists of activities designed to manage, maintain, and improve the FEWS NET DMP, including the FEWS NET Data Warehouse (FDW) and the FEWS NET Data Explorer (FDE). During the quarter, the Hub accomplished several major improvements to the DMP, including four major FDW/FDE releases that added 175 new features, changes, and improvements to the system. These improvements included enhancements to data ingestion, user interfaces, analytical tools, and visualization prototypes, as well as Representational State Transfer (REST)/Application Programming Interface (API) improvements. The FDW had an average uptime of 99.98 percent, above the target annual threshold of 99.7 percent. The Hub also managed, maintained, and improved the data management system through various tasks, including performing system maintenance, supporting the FEWS NET Helpdesk, and developing FDW and Domain Documentation. The Helpdesk received 380 new requests, with 330 resolved quickly and 50 requiring more time. The requests fell into several general areas, including uploading data support, data extraction support, and new feature requests. In addition to the DMP workstream, the Hub also made significant progress in the Knowledge and Learning workstream. The Hub continued work on the brand refresh, with a completed visual design proposal submitted in June 2021 to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The online documentation for the FEWS NET Data Explorer (FDE) and the FDW was updated to improve access to help content. Early planning for the FEWS NET Learning Management System was completed, and software installation on FEWS NET systems has begun. The Management workstream focused on developing the collaborative dimensions of the work plan through the Joint Annual Work Planning (JAWP) process. The Hub submitted quarterly performance and contract reports covering April-June 2021, as well as drafts of three Annual Plans for Revisions, one for each of the three technical work streams. The Hub also started Option Year 1 of the Task Order 1 contract and finalized recruitment for a new Hub Project Director. The Web Platform workstream managed and maintained the fews.net website, responded to and resolved Helpdesk inquiries, and made four public-facing releases to maintain the secure and disruption-free functioning of the platform. The website achieved an uptime of 99.99 percent, exceeding the Task Order 1 contract requirement of 99.70 percent. Overall, the Hub made significant progress in all four workstreams during the quarter, achieving several major milestones and improvements to the FEWS NET DMP, Knowledge and Learning, and Web Platform. The Hub's work continues to support the FEWS NET mission of providing early warning and analysis of food insecurity and malnutrition in vulnerable countries.