The rise of low-code/no-code software has resulted in a wave of citizen developers building applications and automation tools on an unprecedented scale. In fact, Gartner estimates that by the end of the year, the number of citizen developers at large enterprises will outnumber professional developers by four times. Moreover, Power Platform and other simplified coding solutions will be used for 65% of application development.
The work of creating new applications can be opened up to employees from every department, as citizen developers do not need the same deep skillset as professional developers. Previously, companies would be forced to use highly skilled programmers with years of experience.
Some citizen developers may be fully trained developers who are simply working from a non-technical department, while others only have experience working with low code, no code, analytics or data management.
The potential upsides to the citizen development movement are numerous. Citizen developers can roll out new applications quicker than ever because they do not need to code from the ground up. Because citizen developers take less time, they also save the company money. The result means companies large and small are able to keep up with the rapidly evolving, innovative technologies that were always keeping the biggest companies one step ahead.
Simon Foote, Head of Software Development at Resonate, said: “It is hard to understate the value of citizen development. It has helped SMEs to bridge the divide with big businesses.
“Before, only the behemoths could afford to regularly spend on applications and automation solutions, which gave them a massive edge. The smaller companies would be stuck working through tasks that were now automated at large.”
“No code/low code can do absolute wonders for a company, but if your citizen developers are not properly managed, you may end up creating more problems than solutions.”
The Dos of Citizen Development
To effectively implement citizen development within your company, you need to provide your team with clear guidelines, open communication, and the necessary tools.
Clear guidelines are essential, as it provides clear boundaries within which your team can work. Without approved policies, it can stifle worker creativity as they will be continually second-guessing themselves. The rules should explain what you are looking for in new apps and automation. You should clarify which development platforms they can use for their creations
Communication is essential in all aspects of business, and citizen development is no exception. Managers should foster an open and receptive attitude to their employees’ projects to ensure they can effectively monitor new additions to their workflows. They will also be able to take appropriate action if any problems arise, such as passing complex programming requirements onto professionals.
Providing the team with the right tools to experiment with and create new applications is crucial. Microsoft Power Platform, for example, has templates and other tools to make it easy for first-time developers to get started. You can also discuss with your staff which other more advanced tools might be useful to add.
Gartner Expert and Distinguished VP Analyst, Jason Wong, advises that business leaders should respect and support their citizen development teams. By taking the team seriously, they will be more likely to become a serious team.
