Guide
HIRC Standards
Welcome to the HIRC standards guide! Our goal is to make your choice to engage simple and easy.
Whether you arrived in response to a customer request, HIRC webinar, or curiosity, we're glad you're here!
Please contact us if you get stuck, desire detail, or simply want to meet our team.
Resiliency Scorecard
About
The Resiliency Scorecard standard provides a framework for providers to assess the resiliency of their suppliers. It’s useful for selection and evaluation purposes. The output can be standalone or integrated into a balanced scorecard. The purpose is to promote and enhance the resiliency of supplier relationships and patient care outcomes.
1. Review the framework
The customer will drive the dialogue and set expectations. Suppliers are encouraged to self-assess in advance following the framework. Focus is on continuous improvement, not perfection.
The framework is broken down into five primary categories:
- Supply chain mapping
- Event communication
- BCM assessment
- KPI
- Live discussion
Each category has a quantitative and qualitative segment. Active participation generally elevates the evaluation. Evidence of maturity and performance in each category earns additional points. Score is tallied by the customer and paired with a relationship level:
- Unsatisfactory
- Conventional
- Strategic
- Partner
It is anticipated that most trading relationships will aim for strategic or higher relative to the scoring result. Note: partnership designation requires activity in all of the five categories.
2. Meet virtually to complete the scorecard
The customer will initiate the scorecard activity and may invite an interactive discussion.
The customer may request the supplier to present an overview of their resiliency program. A programmatic overview generally should cover:
- All categories of business continuity management (BCM) assessment. See framework.
- Additional resiliency themes:
- Operations - asset redundancy, geographic diversity, production capacity
- Product - criticality, alternates, optionality
- Inventory - stocking strategy, nearshore assets
- Other supply stream features that promote resiliency
3. Identify strengths and opportunities
A live dialogue is encouraged to help elucidate strengths and opportunities, as well as to mutually agree on next steps.
The completed framework should offer insights on where resiliency can be enhanced.
4. Grow and maintain your resiliency score
The primary intent of the exercise is to identify, promote, and actualize resilient supply chains through the selection of aptly suited suppliers and continuous improvement.
Business Continuity Maturity (BCM) Assessment
About
The BCM Assessment standard provides a framework for providers to assess the formal preparedness of their suppliers. The self-assessment is derived from ISO 23001. Completion is simple and at no cost. For convenience, suppliers may complete via our affiliated technology for secure storage and easy sharing with customers.
Details below
- Review the framework
- Complete online assessment
- Debrief collaboratively
- Grow and maintain your BCM program
2. Complete online assessment
Choose whether you prefer to complete online or offline.
We recommend the online option made available at no cost through Supply Risk Solutions (SRS).
If you choose the SRS option, you'll be able to store your response securely, control which customers can view, and receive annual reminders to update your submission as needed to ensure accuracy.
- Contact SRS to obtain login
- Go to SRS supplier portal
- Complete the self-assessment
- View instructions
- Designate which customers may view the results
- Gain access to complementary resiliency training
3. Debrief collaboratively
Review the assessment output. Identify strengths and opportunities. Learn whether the customer would like to discuss the snapshot and next steps collaboratively.
4. Grow and maintain your BCM program
Continuously improve your Business Continuity Maturity program. Consider ISO 23001 as a reference.
Mapping & Monitoring
About
The Mapping and Monitoring standard provides a framework to balance the compelling interests of providers and suppliers for both transparency and competitive considerations. The model specifies increased transparency for more strategic relationships and/or products. The worksheet allows suppliers to respond in a one-to-many fashion.
1. Review the framework
The customer will drive the dialogue and set expectations. Provider perspective: seeing my upstream supply chain helps support collaborative response to natural disasters and proactively informs mitigation strategies with my trading partner
2. Meet the Conventional, Strategic, or Partnership standards as appropriate
Suppliers are asked to satisfy the appropriate level of transparency following the framework.
The framework is directionally orientated to increase transparency for 1) more strategic relationships, and 2) more essential products. The model does not dictate precisely how this should be conducted, but rather provides guidance.
3. Complete the Worksheet
Download and complete the supplier response worksheet. (Word version)
Populate the matrix to indicate your posture on the following:
- Visibility depth
- Location visibility
- Product visibility
- Visibility timeline
As noted in the worksheet, recommended postures are indicated to support resiliency.
HIRC will make your responses available to all HIRC provider members, if you choose.
HIRC can facilitate a one-to-many process for data sharing, if you choose.
4. Platform activities
Choose whether you prefer to complete online or offline.
We recommend the online option made available at no cost through Supply Risk Solutions (SRS).
If you choose the SRS option, you'll be able to store your response securely, control which customers can view, and receive annual reminders to update your submission as needed to ensure accuracy.
- Contact SRS to obtain login
- Go to SRS supplier portal
- Load the requisite information
- View instructions
- Designate which customers may view the results
- Gain access to complementary resiliency training
FAQ
How were these standards derived?
Members collaborated over the course of 2020-2022 to develop these standards. Iteration continues.
The intent is to effectuate the mission/vision of HIRC by fostering a more transparent and resilient supply chain.
Why am I being asked to align with these standards?
Your customer, and the Members, believe alignment is necessary for consistent expectations conductive to a more resilient supply chain.
What are the benefits to me?
- Address a common and strategic concern of your customers -- resiliency.
- Satisfy the ask in a one-to-many fashion through a venue that is credible.
- Strengthen your resiliency program and achieve more favorable business outcomes.
Does HIRC manage, own, or resell my information?
Nope to all of the above.
- If you choose online sharing, the entire workflow is managed by the respective third-party.
- If you choose offline data sharing, HIRC will simply facilitate according to your preference.
Does this cost anything?
Nope. Since we believe that resiliency is table stakes, and HIRC is non-profit, there is no charge.
Some third-parties may charge for opt-in services, if selected.
Do I have to do this?
No. However, the members view the standards as necessary for resiliency.
Ultimately, you choice to engage is dependent upon your relationship with your customer and your commitment to resiliency. Non-engagement could impact your customer relationship. HIRC does not manage the relationship.
Will low scores affect my customer relationship?
Maybe. HIRC culture and education encourage progress, not perfection. As such, members are encouraged to celebrate suppliers who engage in good faith. However, if the standards exercise suggests that resiliency is poor, and that the supplier is uninterested in growth, it could impact the customer mindset.
I have more Qs
Additional detail is posted to the respective standards.
Contact us. We're here to help!
About
The Healthcare Industry Resiliency Collaborative (HIRC) is a non-profit healthcare supply chain trade association founded by providers and their trading partners to tackle resiliency issues for continuity of patient care.
We champion and lead standards and best practice in healthcare supply chain resiliency in pursuit of a transparent and resilient supply chain achieved through cooperative efforts of providers and suppliers.
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