Role

Product Designer

Timeline

4 months

Scope

Research, UX/UI Design, Product Strategy

A centralized platform that simplifies administrative workflows for language schools by integrating BAMF and reducing manual data entry.

Managing integration courses often involves fragmented systems, manual reporting, and error-prone processes.



This project focuses on streamlining these workflows, improving data accuracy, and enabling administrators to work more efficiently.

Solution

Streamlining administrative workflows through automation and centralized data management

To address these challenges, I designed a centralized administrative platform that consolidates student data, course management, and BAMF reporting into a single system.
The solution focuses on reducing manual work, minimizing errors, and improving efficiency for administrators.

Key objectives

Reduce manual data entry and administrative workload

Streamline BAMF-related documentation and reporting

Provide a clear overview of courses, participants, and progress

Centralize all administrative data into a single system

Problem

Manual administrative processes slow down integration course management

Language schools running integration courses must manage large amounts of administrative data, including participant records, course schedules, attendance tracking, and government documentation.






Many institutions still rely on spreadsheets or fragmented software systems, which makes these workflows time-consuming, difficult to manage, and prone to errors.






As a result, administrators spend a significant amount of time on manual tasks instead of focusing on improving the learning experience.

Key challenges

Administrative data spread across multiple tools

Manual preparation of government documentation (BAMF)

High risk of data inconsistencies and errors

Dashboard view

Provides administrators with a real-time overview of courses and schedules, reducing the need to switch between multiple tools and improving operational visibility.

It was important to present the key features in a single view for iteration. Users need quick access to ongoing and upcoming modules, with options to filter them. From here, module details can be copied and shared with students who submitted inquiry forms. The dashboard also provides an overview of pending BAMF notifications and invoices, making it not just informational but interactive.

Student details

Displays verified participant information retrieved directly from BAMF. Administrators can review and import student data in one step, eliminating manual entry and reducing the risk of errors.

One of the most important features is importing student details from BAMF. After submitting an inquiry using the PKZ/BVA number and date of birth, you receive the student’s information to review. If needed, you can import the student into the system and later edit their profile.

Course management

Enables administrators to manage course schedules, monitor participation.

Filtering and status indicators make it easy to navigate large datasets and maintain an overview of all active and planned courses.

Here you have an overview of all courses. You can filter them by INT or course number, status, or module. You can also create a new course or submit an inquiry to find it in BAMF.

Users

People who manage the day-to-day operations of integration courses

5W Method

Who

Admin staff, teachers and school owners (often small or mid-sized integration course providers)

What

Need to enroll participants, schedule courses, manage BAMF reporting, reduce manual work

Where

School offices or administrative workstations

When

Daily administrative workflows during working hours

Why

To streamline administration, ensure BAMF compliance, reduce stress and paperwork

Research

Competitors Analysis | Competitor Landscape

To better understand the challenges faced by language schools, I analyzed existing administrative workflows and reviewed how schools currently manage participant records, course schedules, and government documentation.



The research focused on identifying inefficiencies in existing processes and opportunities to simplify administrative tasks through digital tools.

integ.service

SIMILAR FEATURES

  • SEPA transfers

  • Attendance overview

  • Form letters

  • Participant information

  • Course administration

  • Exams management

  • BAMF integration

  • Confirmations and certificates

  • Conversation notes

UNIQUE FEATURES

  • User rights system

  • Location distance calculation

  • Data protection compliance

PRICING

  • no info

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Last update in 2008; the company currently doesn't exist, but there are various ideas that we can explore and incorporate into our opportunitiesce

GENERAL NOTES

  • Simplifies financial workflows related to integration courses by helping administrators manage payments, generate invoices, and track funding from BAMF or other sources — all in one place.

Kufer

SIMILAR FEATURES

  • Efficient data management

  • Seamless BAMF form submission

  • Document management

  • Access to approved language course forms

  • Daily attendance recording

  • Fee billing against BAMF

  • Travel reimbursement

  • Custom confirmations and certificates

  • Lists and evaluations

  • Appointment management

UNIQUE FEATURES

  • Course template efficiency

  • Course material management

  • Room availability suggestions

  • Teacher absence management

  • Room reservation system

  • Lecturer schedule management

PRICING

  • Upon request

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Software integration (for extra fee)

GENERAL NOTES

  • Numbers of users:1,800 course providers; around 75 percent of all German adult education centers (Volkshochschulen)

Stepnova

SIMILAR FEATURES

  • Direct reporting to BAMF

  • Participant list creation

  • Registration handling

  • Direct BAMF communication

  • Transaction overview

  • InGe interface connection

  • Data export

  • BAMF information function

  • Attendance documentation

  • Database management

  • Placement test documentation

UNIQUE FEATURES

  • Participant enrolment

  • Course start notifications

  • Data migration

PRICING

Basic System Pricing:

  • 99 € per month for the basic system, including user access

  • 27 € per month for each additional user access

  • 5 € per month for read-only access

  • Free support after training

  • Free trial month

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Software integration (for extra fee); blog

GENERAL NOTES

  • Simplifies financial workflows related to integration courses by helping administrators manage payments, generate invoices, and track funding from BAMF or other sources — all in one place

Kurso

SIMILAR FEATURES

  • Participant registration

  • Participant information

  • Course planning

  • Course implementation

  • Language test registration

  • Quota and lesson section monitoring

  • Teaching hours documentatio

  • Certificate release

  • Exams administration

UNIQUE FEATURES

  • Automated invoicing

  • Section-based payment plans

  • Cash receipt monitoring

  • Invoice corrections

  • Feature mapping

  • Waiting list registration

PRICING

  • Upon request

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Blog, send group emails and SMS messages

GENERAL NOTES

  • Multiple use of a user account by several people is not permitted

Kursdatis

SIMILAR FEATURES

  • Participant information

  • Travel expense management

  • Attendance list

  • Billing and cancellation automation

  • Teaching unit tracking

  • User access control

  • Class register maintenance

  • Participant overview

UNIQUE FEATURES

  • Reporting and communication system

  • Attendance percentage display

PRICING

  • 1 to 3 course locations: EUR 49 net/monthly

  • 4 to 9 course locations: EUR 99 net/monthly

  • 10 or more course locations: Price on request

  • No subscription; can be canceled at any time

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Onboarding tutorials (video)

GENERAL NOTES

  • Onboarding tutorials (video)

Survey

To better understand the challenges faced by language schools, I conducted a short survey among administrators and staff working with integration course management.



The survey focused on communication with BAMF, administrative workflows, and the tools currently used for course management.

+ 10 more questions

+ 15 more respondents

  1. How effective are the current communication channels between your institution and BAMF regarding course administration and compliance requirements?

Yes, communication is clear and regular

Communication is generally effective, but could be more timely/frequent

Communication is inconsistent

Better communication channels are needed

  1. How satisfied are you with the current school administration system for integration courses?

Very Satisfied

Satisfied

Neutral

Dissatisfied

Very dissatisfied

  1. How do you currently manage course administration?

Manually (paper or Excel)

InGe-Online

Custom internal system

Commercial software

Other

  1. How challenging is it to track student attendance and progress using your current processes?

Very time-consuming and error-prone

Time-consuming but manageable

Minor inefficiencies only

No significant issues

  1. Are you currently using any digital tools or software to manage integration courses and communicate with BAMF?

Yes

No

  1. Which features would provide the greatest value to your institution?

Digital attendance tracking

Automated BAMF reporting

Centralized document management

Messaging/communication with BAMF

Course scheduling and administration