A citizen developer is a person who, without formal training in programming, can create web or mobile applications that fit into a company’s digital environment and are functional. They can create automations and applications that are strictly tailored to their own needs or the needs of others in the company. Usually, these are simple solutions that are created in a short time, often using platforms:
Low-code and no-code platforms are a must for citizen developers. They allow them to build applications in days or even hours instead of weeks or months. As a result, ordinary workers can quickly meet their needs and solve problems without having to wait for help from IT.
For example, an HR professional may create a time management application that automates adding meetings to the calendar, streamlining internal processes and saving developers’ time.
The latest AI tools, such as ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, open up new possibilities for citizen developers. They allow you to ask a question about a desired functionality in natural language, and the algorithm will generate ready-made code or even an entire application in response to the prompt.
For example, a salesperson might ask ChatGPT to create a mobile app for tracking sales leads. The chatbot will ask a few questions explaining the exact requirements, and then generate the app code and (in the ChatGPT Plus version) also user interface mockups. Such a process will take only an hour or two.
It will be even easier to get a solution that is supposed to be just another automation in a popular low-code tool. There is a high probability that we will get the right code with instructions on how to run our new automation.
Citizen developers can implement AI-based solutions on their own and speed up automation in their companies without involving specialists. However, AI tools cannot yet be expected to generate fully working solutions on the first try.
They are more like skilled collaborators of citizen developers than tools that can replace the work of people who know at least the basics of programming. Often you have to correct solutions repeatedly or suggest to ChatGPT how to solve a problem. This allows you to obtain a finished version of the application much more quickly, but it’s not a one-click task.
Source: DALL·E 3, prompt: Marta M. Kania (https://www.linkedin.com/in/martamatyldakania/)
Here are several key benefits of employing individuals who, in addition to their specialization, also take on the role of citizen developers within the company:
To fully harness the potential of citizen developers, companies need to create appropriate conditions. Here are five key steps:
Many companies, both large and small, have already benefited from the opportunities presented by employees independently designing small IT solutions. Here are three companies that have achieved significant success in implementing solutions created by citizen developers.
Accenture is a company specializing in business and technology consulting services. They implemented the Microsoft Power Platform to enable employees to quickly create applications and workflows. The primary goal was to accelerate data management within the company. However, the company recognized that citizen development significantly increased organizational productivity and flexibility. As a result, over 8,000 applications were created by citizen developers within six months in the company.
Accenture also fosters a culture of knowledge sharing by organizing presentations of solutions created by citizen developers. In this way, the company aims to help employees develop skills and independently customize technologies.
Toyota, a leading automobile manufacturer, has created a center of excellence that trains employees on the Power Platform, but also encourages them to experiment on their own and share their results. The company holds an annual “Automation Summit” where teams present their innovative citizen development projects.
Toyota is encouraging its employees to believe that you don’t need a PhD to come up with valuable solutions. They see citizen development as a chance for practically anyone who’s interested.
Source: Microsoft (https://customers.microsoft.com/en-us/story/763052-toyota-motor-north-america-automotive-power-apps)
IKEA takes citizen developers seriously. It has established a Power Community of 4,000 members to help with the adoption of low-code technology. The company also rewards those who automate tasks and implement innovations through citizen development. IKEA recognizes that this approach allows employees to focus on their core activities instead of wasting time on repetitive tasks.
Source: Microsoft (https://customers.microsoft.com/en-us/story/1686198659059020881-ikea-retailers-power-apps-en-france)
Citizen developers are invaluable assets in helping organizations accelerate their digital transformation. They enable you to innovate faster and create solutions that are perfectly tailored to your organization’s needs – after all, citizen developers create them to make life easier for themselves and their colleagues.
To effectively collaborate with citizen developers, it is essential to provide appropriate training, tools, and governance for this group of employees. If you do this, you will gain a team of superheroes ready to optimize your company.
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Author: Robert Whitney
JavaScript expert and instructor who coaches IT departments. His main goal is to up-level team productivity by teaching others how to effectively cooperate while coding.
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