Citizen development has emerged as a new way of delivering IT projects, which is helping many businesses to improve productivity and enhance collaboration. However, there are some key challenges that come with using this form of software.
The origins of citizen development can be traced back to software engineers who sought to create a better development process using a user-driven approach. This approach differs from traditional software development, wherein the code is static and tend to limit creativity. Citizen development instead embraces an agile way of producing applications, inviting users from all levels to take part in the co-creation process.
By harnessing the knowledge and skills of dev-savvy employees, businesses have been experiencing improved reporting capabilities, enhanced customer support services and more efficient workflows. The great benefit of citizen development is that it remains focused on the user’s needs while also allowing teams to capitalize on creative ideas and innovative solutions.
Business analysts realized that too much responsibility was placed on professional developers
The benefits of citizen development are clear. For starters, it brings an extra pair of hands to the table. This is a particularly important consideration in a workforce composed of hybrid models. For example, while the techie crowd may be on the premises, a remote worker can be the lifeblood of a process oriented IT department. It also enables an organization to recoup some of the costs associated with a process centric IT organization.
A true citizen developer also stands the test of time. This is especially true when one considers the many vendors that are trying to make a name for themselves in the space. Aside from the aforementioned perks, citizen developers are adept at process oriented IT solutions. This is particularly true when one looks at the cloud as a platform. This is a win-win situation for both the business and its employees.
Of course, as with any other endeavor, the task of automating a process takes a significant investment of human capital. This is not to say that citizen developers don’t do their share of the heavy lifting.
Business technologists are motivated to use technology to solve business problems
A new survey by Gartner, a technology research firm, finds that business technologists are motivated to use technology to solve business problems. Although this may sound obvious, it’s an important consideration for managers considering hiring a tech savvy employee. As a leader, you want to strike a balance between the benefits and the risks.
There are numerous ways to achieve this, but a good starting point is to engage with a variety of vendors. By doing this, you can better understand the skills your employees need to perform their jobs.
Another way to assess the tech savvy of your staff is to create a safe environment for experimentation and innovation. By providing the tools and resources, your team members can work together to develop and test ideas, which can lead to greater productivity.
A more scientific way to measure the performance of a new technology is to consider its impact on the end user. This requires a clear view of your target market and the ability to identify and address the most pressing needs.
Low-code/no-code platforms help you centralize your work
Low-code/no-code platforms are tools that enable businesses to build applications without code. They help business teams develop and iterate new processes with speed and agility.
They also provide real-time visibility into systems and processes. This insight can improve operations and help businesses adapt to changes. It can also reduce risks and enable disruption-proof supply chains.
No-code platforms are typically available as Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solutions, which means the platform provider manages hosting and infrastructure. They typically contain prebuilt software components. These include user interface controls, business logic, and APIs.
The demand for these rapid development applications grew as businesses became more digital. They were used by a variety of users, from non-IT employees to professional developers. They provided a graphical user interface that allowed for easy configuration, monitoring, and development.
In the past, IT organizations had a difficult time finding and hiring developers to help with their projects. Today, more manufacturers are turning to low-code application platforms to develop customized business applications.
Issues with citizen developers
If you are considering implementing a citizen development program, you may have some questions. However, there are a few important things to know about deploying a program that will help you to avoid some common problems.
First, you must have a proper strategy to manage the development process. This means putting in place governance standards, as well as a maintenance framework for the apps your citizen developers build.
Another important part of the digital transformation strategy is to train your citizen developers. They will need to learn about compliance mandates, and their use of data should be carefully governed. This helps to ensure that the apps you deploy will deliver a high-quality user experience.
You also need to establish guidelines for evaluating the usage of your apps. This can help to prevent duplication of applications, as well as unnecessary application sprawl. You can do this by establishing a repository of previously-built components.
You can also provide ongoing support for your citizen developers. This includes regular cadence reporting, as well as providing cybersecurity awareness training.
