Resources and Documentation

Guides, tutorials, and walkthroughs from across the SIMS network

Title Category Summary Author Related Product
Characteristics of an Effective Map Checklist Geospatial Best practices for developing and styling your map. Katie Naugle
Creating a Proportional Circle Map in QGIS Geospatial How to create proportional circle maps in QGIS, and how to create a suitable legend that does not take up valuable space on a map page. Paul Knight
Creating a Basemap in QGIS Geospatial The process of making a basemap using QGIS. Frida Archibold
Scenario Planning in the Ukraine Response Information Design How the Ukraine operation developed, monitored, and acted upon scenario plans. Jonathan Garro
Developing an Operational Leadership Daily Briefing Information Design How a SIMS Remote Coordinator can support the operational leadership daily briefing. Jonathan Garro
Infographic Templates in Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft PowerPoint Information Design Links to infographic templates in Illustrator and PowerPoint, as well as tips for how to use them. Katie Naugle
Web Scraping and Geocoding National Society Branch Locations Data Transformation and Analysis An example of scraping address data from across multiple web pages and geocoding them in bulk. Jonathan Garro
Prerequisites for Working with Python Data Transformation and Analysis How to make sure your computer is set up to follow along with Python-related SIMS guides. Jonathan Garro
Visualizing Qualitative Data Information Design Examples of qualitative data visualizations useful for CEA activities. Katie Naugle
Adding a Last Refresh Date Timestamp to PowerBI Web Visualization A Power Query snippet to generate a timestamp on your PowerBI dashboard that displays when it was last refreshed. Katie Naugle
SIMS Remote Coordination Checklist SIMS Remote Coordination This checklist is meant to guide a SIMS Remote Coordinator through the entire process from initial setup to deactivation. Includes links to useful guidance documents. Katie Naugle
SIMS Platforms and Tools Overview Standard Operating Procedures An overview of commonly-used tools and the process for evaluating new ones as technology and the way SIMS operates continue to evolve. Jonathan Garro
Using the SIMS Slack Standard Operating Procedures Overview of how Slack is used during SIMS activations. Jonathan Garro
Data Visualization Accessibility Checklist Style Guidance Key factors to consider to help ensure your products are accessible to as broad a group of viewers as possible. Jonathan Garro
Final Product Checklist Standard Operating Procedures Key elements to consider before you send a product back to the field. Jonathan Garro
Managing Product Updates with a Changelog Standard Operating Procedures How to create and manage product updates with changelogs. Alexei Schwab
SIMS Deactivation Process Standard Operating Procedures Steps to follow and issues to consider when serving as a SIMS Remote Coordinator at the end of a SIMS activation. Jonathan Garro
Reverse Geocoding Coordinates Using the OpenCage API Data Transformation and Analysis How to reverse geocode a list of coordinates at scale using the OpenCage API. Jonathan Garro
Geocoding Addresses Using the Google Maps API Data Transformation and Analysis Use the Google Maps API to batch process large lists of addresses into point coordinates. Jonathan Garro Python Geocoding Script for ATMs in Turkiye
Connecting Kobo Toolbox to PowerBI Web Visualization How to connect your PowerBI dashboard directly to your Kobo survey data. Katie Naugle
Importing the Standard IFRC Color Palette into PowerBI Web Visualization How to import a JSON file into PowerBI in order to gain quick access to standard IFRC colors. Katie Naugle
Dealing with Messy Dates in Python Data Transformation and Analysis Use Python to fix dates and date formatting in large datasets like beneficiary lists. Jonathan Garro
Creating Maps in Excel and PowerPoint Geospatial How to use Excel and PowerPoint to create editable maps with a lower technical barrier than tools like QGIS. Helen Campbell
Importing SIMS Color Palette to QGIS Geospatial How to download and import the SIMS colors into QGIS from a .gpl file. Alexei Schwab
Creating Navigation Panels in PowerBI Web Visualization A variety of ways it improve the navigation of larger PowerBI dashboards. Katie Naugle
Spinning Globe with Point Markers in D3.js Web Visualization Walkthrough of creating the spinning globe visualization featured on the SIMS Portal landing page. Jonathan Garro
Timeline Templates in Adobe Illustrator and Microsoft PowerPoint Information Design Links to timeline templates in Illustrator and PowerPoint, as well as tips for how to use them. Katie Naugle
Designing a Survey Data Collection and Survey Design How to design and start developing a survey, with a focus on ODK and Kobo. Dan Joseph
XLS Form Cheatsheet Data Collection and Survey Design Examples of common constraints and functions used in XLSForm development. Katie Naugle
Example XLSForm Data Collection and Survey Design Example XLSForm that you can adapt to your operation's needs. Katie Naugle
SIMS Remote Coordinator Handover Guidance SIMS Remote Coordination A checklist of tasks to manage the handover process between rounds of SIMS Remote Coordinators. Katie Naugle
Creating Response Stories SIMS Remote Coordination How to plan for and draft a response story that summarizes a SIMS activation. Jonathan Garro
Creating a 3W (Who, What, Where) Infographic Information Design Learn to create a 3W infographic using a simple Powerpoint template. Katie Naugle Turkish Red Crescent Earthquake Response 3W
Data Visualization Best Practices Style Guidance Quick tips to help make your data visualization products cleaner, easier to interpret, and more professional. Jonathan Garro
Remote Profile Specializations and Tiers Standard Operating Procedures How remote profiles and the associated tiering system work, and how this data connects with competency frameworks. Jonathan Garro
Remote Supporter Preparation Checklist Standard Operating Procedures Checklist for those considering providing remote IM support on a SIMS request, including clarifying questions for you to get as much information as possible about the request. Katie Naugle
Creating a Movement Picture Information Design Tips for planning, data collection, design, and approvals related to joint Movement Picture documents. Jonathan Garro Movement Picture for Venezuela Migration and Americas Population Movement
Creating a Shaded Relief Map in QGIS Geospatial How to use a Digital Elevation Model layer to create a shaded relief map in QGIS. Alexei Schwab
Geocoding Addresses Using the OpenStreetMap API Data Transformation and Analysis Use the OpenStreetMap API to batch process large lists of addresses into point coordinates. Jonathan Garro
A Deep Dive into Map Visualizations in PowerBI Geospatial An extensive overview of the pros and cons of various methods for visualizing geo data in PowerBI. David Callaghan
Disclaimer Text for SIMS Products Style Guidance Standard language to include on maps and other products, in the four official IFRC languages. Jonathan Garro
Official Logos and Icons for SIMS Products Style Guidance Access to standard IFRC logos, and a repository of national society logos. Jonathan Garro
SIMS Color Palette Style Guidance Primary and secondary colors, and the ways to use them. Jonathan Garro
SIMS Standard Fonts Style Guidance Standard SIMS fonts, how to get them, and when to use them. Jonathan Garro
Getting Country Data from the GO Platform via the API Data Transformation and Analysis Use Python to fetch information about national societies from the GO Platform's API. Jonathan Garro
Automate Web Scraping and Data Storage with AWS Lambda and S3 Data Transformation and Analysis Creating a Python script that runs on a set schedule and scrapes data from a webpage before automatically updating a CSV file in AWS. Jonathan Garro Automated Impact Statistic Web Scraper
Setting Up and Managing GitHub Project Boards SIMS Remote Coordination How to create new project boards in GitHub and connect them to the emergency in the SIMS Portal. Jonathan Garro