How no code application development has given rise to the ‘Citizen Developer’?
Have you been experiencing bottlenecks and backlogs on the IT front in your organization? You are not alone in this. As consumers devour apps and demand more, the pressure on IT divisions is mounting high.
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The IT industry and IT departments in enterprises are under a lot of pressure. Though they seem to be doing OK for now, they might soon be overwhelmed and fall behind. Citizen developers are rising to the occasion and reducing the overall load on development teams by using no-code development platforms and creating applications that may not be top-priority for development departments.
Who is a citizen developer
A citizen developer is a business user, not a software developer, who develops applications to satisfy certain business needs.
There was a time when end-user application development was limited to single-user or workgroup solutions built using tools like Microsoft Excel and Access. Times have changed for the better. Today, end users can build applications for departments, enterprises, and even public use with the help of no-code application development software.
Gartner predicts that “by 2023, the number of active citizen developers at large enterprises will be at least four times the number of professional developers.”
This aligns with another prediction from Gartner: “By 2024, no-code application development will be responsible for more than 65% of application development activity.”
How to identify citizen developers in your enterprise
Managers and employees in the line of business (LOB) are perfect candidates to become citizen developers in any enterprise.
People engaged in LOB work with data and are familiar with the end users of applications. They are not entirely unfamiliar with basic technology and are often experts in office suites and spreadsheets. Their distinct drive to identify business problems and find ways to solve them with technology makes them ideal for this role.
How do citizen developers help IT division
We are undergoing a digital transformation, and the workload on IT teams has increased exponentially. Most IT divisions face too much work and too few resources. The increasing complexity of the digital ecosystem further adds to the pressure.
Citizen developers can help IT teams in the following ways:
- Makes development of critical solutions faster
- Lets business users come up with innovative ideas
- Prevents the birth of shadow IT
- Improves IT efficiency by letting experts focus on critical issues
- Establishes a bridge between business and IT
How do citizen developers help an enterprise grow?
Citizen developers support enterprises in adapting to changes and completing digital transformation efficiently. By leveraging their business knowledge and no-code platforms, they create quick solutions that help drive timely business expansion.
Role of no-code platforms in the rise of citizen developers
No-code platforms simplify application development through drag-and-drop functionality. These platforms enable citizen developers to build apps efficiently without requiring coding knowledge. Tools like Appy Pie AppMakr allow users to develop mobile apps, websites, chatbots, and more in just days.
Benefits of the citizen developers’ phenomenon
- Speed: No-code platforms allow fast creation of solutions critical for product releases or problem-solving.
- Reduce workload on IT: Citizen developers handle non-priority tasks, enabling IT to focus on critical projects.
- Better understanding of the problem: Business users understand processes and solutions better, reducing miscommunication.
- Cheaper solutions: No-code tools save time and money, lowering overall costs for enterprises.
Concluding Note
Citizen developers are shaping the future of industries. By leveraging no-code platforms, they bring innovative solutions without overburdening IT teams.
Do you have a citizen developer in your team? Share your experiences in the comments below!