Schwarzbuch digital Case Reference | Outcome, Cost Range…

Web platform & research

The Challenge

Complex material, clear reading

Tax waste content is challenging: many facts, multiple levels (budget, processes, policy), and the expectation that citizens can orient themselves quickly. The task was to structure the material so research and analysis stay visible while the UI remains navigable—especially on mobile devices.

The application also needs a fast first load, smooth scrolling, and consistent navigation. Transparency work depends on trust, and trust depends on solid technical delivery—not decorative noise.

A web-native publication, not a static-PDF afterthought

A “Schwarzbuch” must stay current and discoverable. Rather than locking knowledge into static documents, we needed a web format where cases are accessible, comparable, and expandable over time—requiring solid information architecture, reusable UI building blocks, and a clean separation of content, layout, and delivery.

Our Solution

Web application as a React SPA

We implemented the platform as a React single-page application: clear routing, quick interactions without full page reloads, and a front end aligned with typical research and reading patterns. TypeScript and a disciplined component model help keep content and UI consistent as the topic set grows and copy evolves.

Delivery is optimised for lean assets and good load times so information is not held back by technical friction.

Engineering by Groenewold IT Solutions (Made in Germany)

Development, architecture, and evolution are led from our team in Leer (East Frisia): short communication loops, traceable quality, and a maintainability mindset—so custom software can remain operable, not just demo-ready.

Results

A public research and information resource on the web

At schwarzbuch.digital, the application presents documented cases in an accessible way and supports a traceable, journalistic perspective on tax waste in Germany—without sacrificing readability for depth.

Reference for research-driven web platforms

The project shows how we translate content with public and political relevance into a professional web application when off-the-shelf CMS or no-code approaches hit limits—prioritising clarity, accountability in delivery, and B2B-style engineering from Germany.

Features

Feature overview

Single-page web application (React, TypeScript) with clear information architecture
Presentation of researched cases and analytical material
Responsive layouts for desktop and mobile
Emphasis on load performance and user guidance
Ongoing development in production
Engineering by Groenewold IT Solutions (East Frisia, Made in Germany)
Live: schwarzbuch.digital

Common questions about the investigative publishing platform and editorial process digitalisation

What is technically most important for an investigative journalism platform?

What matters most are traceable data flows, solid permission models and dependable approval workflows for sensitive content. These platforms need more than a standard website stack; they need resilient business processes. Relevant building blocks are automation and RPA workflows.

How can automation support an editorial team without removing editorial control?

Automation should speed up research handling, structuring and approvals without turning editorial decisions into an opaque black box. The right design keeps explicit checkpoints for editors and legal review. That aligns well with automation built around documented rules.

Why are integrations often business-critical for an investigative platform?

Because tips, documents, metadata and publishing states often come from multiple systems. Without clean handoffs, teams end up with fragile manual work and inconsistent records. That is why RPA workflows and automation often go hand in hand.

Which outcomes show that the platform works operationally as well as technically?

Strong signals include fewer manual handoffs, faster approvals and a clear audit trail for content decisions. When teams can move cleanly from research to review to publishing, quality becomes much easier to manage. More process-focused examples can be found in our automation references.

Schwarzbuch digital