ÖGDigital

Three questions to the project team

What was the particular challenge of the project from a UX point of view?
The biggest UX challenge was designing one platform for users with completely different backgrounds and levels of digital experience. Public health offices cover diverse tasks – from infection control to water hygiene – served by users of all age groups and routines. We had to accommodate varying organizational structures and regional processes without fragmenting the experience. Our goal was not to digitize workflows but to reduce complexity. Through a modular design system and close collaboration with practitioners, users can focus on public health work rather than navigating software. (Jaqueline Metken, Portfolio Manager ÖGDigital)

What was your personal highlight in the development process? Was there an aha!-moment, was there a low point?
Seeing users with very different backgrounds adopt the system successfully was deeply rewarding. Our biggest aha!-moment: the project wasn't about software – it was about creating a common language for public health work. Shared design principles let teams across domains benefit from each other's solutions. Low points came from regulatory complexity, as requirements differed between regions. Those challenges reinforced the value of user-centred design and continuous collaboration with practitioners. (Jaqueline Metken, Portfolio Manager ÖGDigital)

Where do you see yourself and the project in the next five years?
Today the platform supports public health offices in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. In five years, we want a standardized digital platform for public health services across Germany. Our vision goes beyond digitizing – we want to rethink how public health administration works digitally. Routine tasks should run seamlessly, redundant steps disappear, and professionals should focus on their expertise rather than documentation. The result: less administrative overhead, more meaningful work, and a shared foundation for the future of public health in Germany. (Jaqueline Metken, Portfolio Manager ÖGDigital)