Growing Trend in Software Development
Citizen development is a growing trend in software development, empowering non-technical employees to create applications and solutions without extensive coding knowledge. It offers a democratized approach to innovation within organizations, enabling business users to address their specific needs quickly and efficiently. As technology advances, low-code app development platforms have emerged as a critical enabler of citizen development. These platforms provide intuitive interfaces, pre-built templates, and drag-and-drop functionality, significantly reducing the reliance on traditional coding methods.
According to industry projections, it is estimated that by 2023, 50% of enterprises will have adopted low-code app development platforms, underscoring the rapid growth and acceptance of citizen development as a powerful tool for driving digital transformation and fostering business agility. Citizen development refers to creating software applications or solutions by non-professional developers, typically individuals within an organization with limited or no coding experience. It involves leveraging low-code or no-code platforms that provide user-friendly interfaces and pre-built components, enabling users to build applications through visual programming and configuration rather than writing code from scratch.
Training in citizen development involves a combination of self-learning and hands-on experience. By understanding the basics of citizen development and exploring low-code platforms, individuals can acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to become proficient citizen developers. Engaging in online tutorials, attending workshops or webinars, and participating in community forums can further enhance learning and provide valuable insights. Through practice and application, individuals can master citizen development, continuously refining their abilities to create innovative and tailored solutions. With dedication and a growth mindset, training in citizen development opens new possibilities for individuals to contribute to their organization’s digital transformation journey and drive positive change.
The Process of Citizen Development
Identify a Business Need: Citizen developers begin by identifying a specific business problem or requirement that is addressed through the development of an application. This could be a process improvement, data management challenge, or the need for a new tool or feature.
Select a Low-Code Platform: Citizen developers choose a low-code development platform that suits their needs and aligns with the organization’s technology stack. These platforms offer a range of features, including drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built templates, and integrations with data sources and systems.
Design the Application: Using the visual interface provided by the low-code platform, citizen developers design the application’s user interface (UI) and define its functionality. They often choose from a library of pre-built components, such as buttons, forms, and tables, and arrange them to create the desired user experience.
Configure Application Logic: Citizen developers configure the application’s logic and behavior through visual workflows or business rules. This may involve defining data flows, setting up automated actions, specifying validation rules, and defining user permissions and roles.
Integrate with Data Sources: Citizen developers integrate the application with relevant data sources, such as databases, APIs, or external systems. This allows the application to access and manipulate data as required.
Test and Debug: After building the application, citizen developers thoroughly test its functionality and performance to ensure it meets the intended requirements. They identify and fix any issues or bugs that arise during testing.
Deploy and Maintain: Once the application is tested and ready, citizen developers deploy it to the desired environment, whether a local server, cloud platform, or a specific device. They may also provide ongoing maintenance and support, making necessary updates and enhancements.
Collaboration is Key
It’s important to note that citizen development is often done in collaboration with IT departments or professional developers who provide guidance, ensure security and compliance, and offer support when needed. This collaborative approach helps balance empowering non-technical users and maintaining overall governance and quality standards within the organization. Adopting citizen development within our company yields significant benefits. By empowering non-technical employees to become creators of applications and solutions, we enhance agility, drive cost efficiency, and boost productivity. By embracing this approach, we unlock the full potential of our workforce, fuel digital transformation, and position ourselves for success in an ever-evolving market.