At a time when app development resources can be overstretched to meet business pivoting needs, citizen developers are proving their worth.
By now, we have probably all heard of citizen developers—and no, the role is not new, but it has gained momentum.
Software engineers and developers have limited bandwidth. It would be good to empower those without technical backgrounds to build software applications, to lower the burden on overworked technical teams and scarce budgets.
That is why low-code and no-code development is thriving. According to one IDC study, around 40% cent of IT leaders surveyed in the Asia Pacific region reportedly used low-code development tools, while more than 60% of respondents had stated that their organizations will utilize low-code platforms for minimally 25% of all planned projects.
At a time when resources are scarce, the ease of use, accessibility, automation of repetitive tasks, fast implementation and lower costs are attractive benefits to companies. Those that already implemented these platforms are able to leverage them as a pathway to accelerate digital maturity.
No-code in action
Citizen developers leveraging no code/low code tools can create and implement solutions to address everything from email, process automation, employee engagement applications to IT service desk help and more. These developers are making an impact in companies you would least expect.
For example, in Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) franchise operations with nearly 1,000 locations, but with a no-code solution in place, teams can customize and reprogram service desk tools to respond to and fit the framework needed to avoid backlogs and disruption.
Capabilities may include a self-service portal with a reporting and customized dashboard, allowing staff to freely navigate the system and configure it to respond efficiently and effectively. These solutions provide relief to the service team, streamline workflow processes, and allow the business to run more seamlessly.
Advanced use cases are emerging, where leadership has begun exploring which repetitive tasks can be automated to help simplify workflow processes, including the HR department. For example, the onboarding processes for new staff in a large firm requires a tremendous amount of preparation. Now,
with a no-code solution in place, companies can quickly set up and activate built-in automation options, enabling automation of the repetitive tasks within the onboarding process.
Imagine an employee onboarding process that previously took nearly two weeks being completed in four hours? Yes, it is possible.
The path forward
Over the long-term, far beyond improving operational efficiency and an enterprise’s bottom line, the benefits are flexible, empowering the workforce to channel their creativity to improve collaboration and workflow transparency, business process automation, optimization, customized applications, data management and an innovation-focused culture.
Deploying a low-code or no-code solution across the enterprise begins with a general analysis of workflows with a holistic view of operations, core strengths and weaknesses. The next step would be to test platforms, find what works best for your team, budget and end goal.
As the role of ‘citizen developer’ continues to expand, a community is slowly forming where resources and collaboration intersect, empowering those without formal programming qualifications to embark on certification and professional development opportunities.
