Companies are looking for ways to ensure that their application development needs are noticed as tech talent becomes increasingly scarce. One strategy is to train employees with no IT background to work on development projects. If you’re thinking, “But learning to code takes years,” think again. It is possible to create applications with little or no coding experience. This method is known as low-code or no-code development, and those who use it to create applications with no prior coding experience are known as citizen developers. Citizen development can benefit businesses by relieving some of the burdens on tech teams and bringing application development closer to the people using these tools, thereby increasing their effectiveness.
The following sections cover citizen development, its benefits and drawbacks, the resources that support it, and how to build a citizen developer workforce.
Defining Citizen Development
Having workers who are not trained in technology develop applications is known as citizen development. It is based on low- and no-code tools, which allow these professionals to conceptualize, develop, and build applications with little to no coding knowledge.
The difference between low-code and no-code development is that low-code development allows for some customization through code changes.
No-code development relies entirely on drag-and-drop functionality to build applications with pre-coded building blocks.
In the business world, citizen development is taking off. According to Gartner, citizen developers will outnumber professional coders by four in the coming year. This practice can save businesses money by reducing the need to hire more tech staff, increase efficiency by having team members create effective applications, and boost innovation by allowing tech teams to focus on higher-level initiatives.
The Benefits of Citizen Development
Businesses across industries realize the importance of empowering professionals in various business units to innovate in the digital realm.
Here are a few examples of how citizen developers can help their businesses.
1. Boost productivity.
Professionals from various business units are often closest to the problems they are attempting to solve and, thus, are in the best position to address them.
Team members who create their applications can take control of their work and perform it more efficiently. Employee satisfaction is dependent on both of these conditions.
2. Increase the time to market.
If your company creates applications sold to customers, having more potential developers allows you to produce these products more quickly and efficiently.
When competing in a competitive market, speed is critical. You also benefit from more professionals contributing their expertise to innovate and create more unique offerings.
3. Reduce your expenses.
Keep in mind that low-code and no-code platforms are useful for more than just citizen developers.
Traditional developers can also use them to reduce development time and costs. This process allows developers to complete these tasks more quickly, freeing time to focus on essential issues like high-level system organization.
4. Focus on providing IT resources.
Many IT teams are under stress due to increased demands and technical talent shortages. When the burden of application development is added, some teams may crumble under strain.
By taking on some of those tasks, citizen development can alleviate much of that pressure. That means the people with the most advanced technological skills can be freed up to tackle your company’s most difficult challenges, such as digital transformation.
5. Meet immediate needs.
The COVID-19 pandemic put additional strain on IT professionals, as their skills were required to ensure teams could collaborate and communicate while working from home.
However, COVID is not the only source of urgent IT requirements.
Similar situations, such as a cyberattack or a large new project, may necessitate more IT assistance, and citizen developers can assist by serving as backup talent for some tasks.
6. Fully trained staff.
Companies still looking for qualified candidates for technology positions may have the solution right in front of them. Some companies offer programs that train employees in various technologies so that they can fill open technology positions.
According to the Computerworld article, “reskilling or upskilling existing staff not only fills a development void, but it also aids in employee retention, as learning new skills is a top priority among work staff.”
Citizen Development’s Drawbacks
While citizen development has many advantages for businesses, those who pursue it should be aware of the drawbacks.
1. Threatened security.
Because many low-code platforms are based on the cloud, sensitive company data is under threat. This is why the myth of the citizen developer who launches their projects is a myth. There is a need to train these professionals, ideally all employees, in application development security protocols.
2. Allow for shadow IT.
Shadow IT refers to employees who use unapproved systems and applications that may pose security risks.
The same issues can arise with citizen development, as no-code and low-code apps may need to comply with internal security rules. As a result, it is critical for businesses to enforce strict governance on citizen development and for IT professionals to review every app developed within the company.
3. Investing at risk.
Creating a citizen developer workforce is complex, quick, and inexpensive. Companies must carefully weigh the pros and cons and decide what level of training they will provide and what equipment and applications they will purchase compared to what they expect to receive once the workforce is in place.
4. Quality issues arise.
While citizen developers may be able to create basic applications, they may need more training and skills to create anything more complex.
Quality can also be an issue at a higher level. Suppose the citizen development program is not overseen at a high level. In that case, these developers may end up duplicating efforts or creating applications that need to fit better with the company’s existing ecosystem.
How Do Citizen Developers Solve Technical and Business Issues?
While some have raised concerns about the challenges of citizen development, ranging from security concerns to quality concerns, the consensus is that building a citizen development workforce benefits businesses, especially when done carefully.
The primary focus of the discussion of this new role within organizations is on the technological problems that can be solved, such as application development and relieving some of the burdens from IT teams.
However, the larger picture is about solving business problems, such as increasing revenues while decreasing costs, becoming more efficient, and gaining a competitive advantage. All of these initiatives can benefit from citizen development. Accelerated time to market allows for greater speed, agility, and competitiveness.
Another rarely discussed topic is employee satisfaction, which can contribute to lower costs and higher productivity. All of these factors should be considered by businesses when deciding whether or not to launch a citizen development program. This role will become more integrated across industries in the coming months and years.