Diff. and OdA GS Aargau: From website redesign to digital ecosystem

The OdA GS Aargau is the central educational hub for health and social professions in the canton of Aargau. It guides apprentices, companies, schools and career changers through complex training paths. The volume of course data, applications, documents and inquiries is correspondingly high. The previous website was technically outdated, heavily PDF-heavy and involved a lot of manual work. Together with the Bern-based branding and web agency Diff., the renewal was therefore deliberately thought of in broader terms - as a structural and digital reorganization rather than a pure redesign.

Digitization needs clarity first

Instead of modernizing individual functions, the project started with the basics. In a brand and web workshop, the OdA's identity, value proposition and target groups were sharpened. This resulted in a clear content structure that served as the foundation for navigation, design and technology.

"We realized early on that we not only needed new colors, but also a new foundation," says Lars Egger.

The new website is consistently designed with target groups in mind. Content was digitized, PDFs were largely removed from the public area or organized internally. Course data is now automatically transferred from the ERP system to the CMS via an interface. Applications are completely digital and are correctly assigned. Room rentals can also be requested online - without detours or manual forwarding. Complex educational and career paths have also been prepared in such a way that they remain comprehensible for different target groups.

Effect instead of additional effort

The go-live took place in summer 2025 and since then the effect has been clear: fewer queries, less maintenance work, clearer responsibilities and more consistent internal and external communication. At the same time, the new website strengthens the OdA's positioning as a competent and modern educational organization.

A key success factor was the clear combination of content, structure and technology. "This technical clarity was only possible because the clarity of content was created beforehand," says Samuel Schlichting.

Cooperation as a success factor

A key driver of the project was the type of collaboration. Diff. worked closely with the OdA project team, with short decision-making paths, regular coordination and early involvement of stakeholders. This enabled an iterative approach in which ideas were openly discussed, prioritized and further developed - with a focus on impact rather than perfection.

Three lessons learned from the project

Digitalization begins with identity: Only clarity about the mission and target groups makes technology effective. Structure enables function: Clear processes take the pressure off organizations in the long term. Cooperation at eye level accelerates: Openness and trust save time - and lead to better solutions.

The case of OdA GS Aargau shows: Digital transformation occurs where brand, structure and processes are considered together - and where organization and agency work together as equals.