Modern enterprises depend on innovative applications and customized tech solutions to drive business growth. However, many IT departments struggle to meet these demands due to overwhelming challenges. Legacy systems impact customer experiences, slow down operations, and increase security risks. So, how can businesses keep moving forward with an overworked IT team and a shortage of skilled software developers? The answer lies in low-code and citizen development.

Why IT Departments Struggle

IT teams are crucial for business growth, helping organizations achieve goals, increase market share, and gain a competitive edge. They streamline processes, maintain data flow, enhance customer experiences, and promptly resolve IT issues. However, many IT departments are overwhelmed:

High Demand: 77% of IT leaders report having a backlog of tech solution requests due to a lack of qualified specialists.

Resource Constraints: Traditional developers are expensive, often costing over $200 per hour.

Burnout and Turnover: High demand leads to overwhelmed developers, resulting in burnout and resignations.

By 2025, the global shortage of software developers is projected to reach 4 million, exacerbating these challenges . This is where low-code and citizen development come into play.

By 2025, the global shortage of software developers is projected to reach 4 million. This is where low-code and citizen development come into play.

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Citizen development allows non-IT business users to create custom apps without formal programming experience. These platforms alleviate the strain on IT departments, enabling them to focus on more strategic projects. Low-code platforms enable faster app development, reduce costs, and improve agility. They also empower employees to create solutions tailored to their needs, boosting productivity and operational efficiency.

Key Benefits of Low-Code Platforms

Low-code platforms offer several advantages that make them ideal for citizen developers:

Rapid Development: Reduce app development time by 50%-90% .

Cost-Effective: Lower development costs by leveraging non-IT personnel.

Improved Agility: Quickly adapt to market changes and evolving demands.

Enhanced Productivity: Enable employees to create solutions, increasing efficiency.

How Low-Code and Citizen Development Work Together

Citizen developers use low-code platforms to build, customize, and deploy user-friendly apps quickly. These platforms provide out-of-the-box components, drag-and-drop interfaces, and visual programming features. This allows non-IT users to create applications that meet their specific needs without relying on traditional developers. Moreover, low-code platforms support multi-device interoperability, ensuring apps work seamlessly across different devices and platforms.

Streamlined Processes and Workflow Automation

One of the significant benefits of low-code platforms is their ability to streamline processes and automate workflows. Citizen developers can use pre-built templates and modules to create applications that automate repetitive tasks, reducing the manual effort required. This leads to increased efficiency and allows employees to focus on more strategic activities that add value to the organization.

Enhanced Collaboration and User Feedback

Low-code platforms foster collaboration between IT and business users, ensuring that applications are aligned with business needs. These platforms often include features for real-time collaboration and feedback, allowing citizen developers to gather input from end-users during the development process. This iterative approach helps in creating applications that are user-friendly and meet the actual needs of the business.

Use Cases for Citizen Development

Enhancing Business Agility: Quickly adapt to new demands and market changes.

Supporting Key Departments: Streamline workflows for HR, IT help desk, and account management.

Reducing Shadow IT: Create secure applications without relying on unapproved third-party tools.

Optimizing Costs: Lower development costs by leveraging non-IT personnel.

Improving Quality: Standardized components reduce errors and streamline the testing process.

Freeing Up IT Resources: Allow IT teams to focus on critical projects, enhancing overall efficiency.

Fostering Innovation: Integrate new technologies like IoT, blockchain, and AI into applications.

The Future of Low-Code and Citizen Development 

Low-code and citizen development are here to stay. By 2023, over 50% of medium-to-large-sized companies will adopt low-code development . These platforms enable non-IT professionals to create enterprise applications based on business needs. By 2024, 80% of IT products and services will be created by non-IT professionals . This trend democratizes app development, reduces IT bottlenecks, and fosters a tech-forward mindset.

Low-code and citizen development are transforming app development by empowering non-IT employees to create custom applications. This approach reduces costs, improves agility, and enhances productivity. As the demand for tech solutions continues to grow, embracing these innovative approaches will be crucial for staying competitive in the digital landscape.