Citizen development is a trend where companies encourage employees with little or no app-building expertise to build applications using low-code and no-code (LCNC) tools.
Citizen developers grew out of a two-fold problem: a shortage of skilled programmers and an increasing hunger for mobile apps. Citizen development bypasses this hurdle of transporting information across an organization by making it available to every individual.
Right from the beginning, you inform all stakeholders, including end users of the software, about the status quo for each prototype. The teams ensure that feedback from all stakeholders is taken into account while they develop the product. This ensures holistic coverage of requirements and ensures that there is no scope creep or missed requirements.
With tighter budgets and an uncertain future, companies have shifted to remote work, powered by software that makes the transition easier. This digital transformation is more relevant than ever, with the need for essential applications to manage virtual teams, access information, and stay productive.
Purchasing off-the-shelf software and depending entirely on the IT team for your application needs is unsustainable. That's why empowering your workforce to develop applications is crucial for digitization. These are some of the high-utility apps that can be built by employees on a low-code platform:
Time tracker This check-in and check-out system imitates the function of identity cards at buildings, and keeps a check on the performance of your team.
IT asset tracker Keep track of all the assets owned by your organization, along with pivotal technical support functions, like VPNs, software updates, and remote logins.
Dynamic approval system From project approvals to leave trackers, a dynamic approval system makes it easier for leadership to respond to requests.
Meeting scheduler Normal hours may not work when you're home, and this is exactly when a meeting scheduler comes handy. Block up slots and let your team know in advance what your agenda is for the day.
No use case is a mystery to line of business (LOB) users. Applications are always more streamlined when needs are addressed by LOB personnel.
Citizen development has to align with the IT policy of an organization. The use of LCNC platforms, which are IT compliant, ensure that applications fall within IT's jurisdiction.
Citizen development is a testament to the question, "how can we do more with less?" With proper training and guidance, citizen developers can reduce the burden on businesses, saving time and money in the process.
With more in-house citizen developers, you can make your workplace more efficient with quality apps. LCNC platforms, with their many capabilities, broaden the scope for innovation.
Quickly is a multiplatform application builder with low-code capabilities, that comes with an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. Quickly online scripting language and its guided scripting and cross-platform integrations provide an easy way to start your citizen development journey.
