Communication fit for service: the German Armed Forces enter a new era

IBM iX has rethought the central information platform bundeswehr.de from the ground up: over 70 individual websites have been transferred to a scalable, sustainable digital ecosystem. The 2019 relaunch laid the foundation for a new form of communication that is more transparent, user-friendly and modern. Since then, the Bundeswehr’s website and app presence have become significantly more visible and interactive.

In agile collaboration with the German Defence Ministry’s IT services provider BWI GmbH, IBM iX has laid the technical and organisational basis for fast and accessible communication in the digital space. The focus was on citizen communication, supported by a comprehensive information offering aimed at both internal and external target groups. A new content strategy and intuitive navigation noticeably improved the user journey.

The website and app have since become a reliable source of information for thousands of users who interact with the Bundeswehr on a daily basis. But as times change, so do information needs and habits. Therefore, IBM iX conducted a comprehensive content audit in 2023, supplemented by a trend and target group analysis to generate well-founded recommendations for content, tonality and user experience.

The Bundeswehr’s public image is fundamental for trust in their work. The website relaunch created the opportunity to add and range in their own fact-based perspectives.

The platform offers its users well-structured and current content as well as diverse information possibilities, supporting the formation of informed opinions.

The 2024 redesign further sharpened this focus: the new website is all about clarity, focus and transparency, aiming to inform the public and partners about developments, background information and progress within the context of this turning point in history.

Centred layout

The new look is more symmetrical, with more white space and a camouflage polygon design. Contents are centred and a hamburger menu creates space for more content.

Reduction to the essentials

The content structure is more compact, the revised modules are clearly separated and tidied up, individual topics get more attention and teaser space. Other contents can be accessed via the search function and the expandable hamburger menu.

Expansion of the editorial section

The focus on topicality and relevance is reminiscent of news sites. Coloured timestamps mark new content, a quick access bar offers topics, and breadcrumbs and headers ensure quick navigation.

With the redesigned website, the Bundeswehr’s digital information ecosystem gains a more focused, inviting and user-centric anchor point. It boosts transparency and helps to provide guidance in an increasingly complex world.

The portal’s technical base is the CoreMedia content management system. It is responsive, accessible and follows the principles of gender-neutral language.

The agile approach used during the relaunch, redesign and ongoing development fostered close collaboration with the client, allowing us to always react promptly to changing requirements.