With digital transformation, many businesses are seeking agility in software development. In this scenario, the figure of the citizen developer, a professional with a crucial role in the agile delivery of projects, has become popular in IT teams. Using low-code and no-code tools, the citizen developer can create solutions that drive organizations forward.
In this article, we will delve into what a citizen developer is, understanding the path to becoming one, the advantages and limitations of this professional profile for your business, and, finally, the importance of low-code and no-code in this context. Check it out!
What Is a Citizen Developer?
A citizen developer is a professional without specialized programming training who develops applications and software solutions using low-code and no-code platforms.
These professionals are often business analysts or project managers belonging to sectors unrelated to information technology, such as marketing, finance, and human resources.
Gartner further defines a citizen developer as ‘an employee who creates applications for their own use or for others, using tools that are not actively forbidden by IT or business units. A citizen developer is a persona, not a specific title or role. They report to a business unit or function other than IT.’
This term arises from the need that business users have to solve problems and automate day-to-day tasks, such as inventory control, requisition systems, and form control, for example.
Therefore, the citizen developer uses low-code and no-code platforms to create automations, such as in Robotic Process Automation (RPA), as these platforms are user-friendly. Moreover, it is essential to mention that there is more than one type of low-code platform, and each segment has specific purposes.
Low-code development platforms are designed to develop software. Low-code RPA platforms, on the other hand, are intended for automation development for companies. A citizen developer can work on both types of platforms depending on the company’s needs.
💡Learn more: RPA Developer: Roles and Requirements
Citizen Developer and Shadow IT
Although the citizen developer is not an IT professional, they have the approval of the company’s IT department to develop the applications they need using low-code platforms. Moreover, they often have the assistance of developers to choose the best software and address any questions.
Shadow IT, on the other hand, occurs when employees implement systems, devices, or software without the approval and knowledge of the company’s IT department. In other words, unlike the citizen developer, shadow IT is a bad practice, as it poses risks to governance and information security.
​​Is it worth hiring citizen developers?
To decide whether to integrate the citizen developer professional into your company’s workforce, it is necessary to take into account various factors, in addition to understanding your company’s needs.
Among the major advantages of the citizen developer, we have agility in development. These professionals can accelerate the creation of solutions since they do not rely entirely on the IT team.
Furthermore, by investing in the training of employees outside the technology area to develop solutions, your company can reduce costs associated with this sector.
Another significant advantage is that citizen developers, being business users, have in-depth knowledge of the area they work in, which can result in solutions more aligned with the real needs of the company.
This process can directly impact the company’s culture by making the innovation center less centralized and allowing ideas to emerge from various levels of the organization, thereby increasing employee involvement in problem-solving and proposing improvements.
Disadvantages of Citizen Developers for Companies
Despite the listed advantages of hiring citizen developers, including this role in your company also brings challenges that need to be considered. Among them, the lack of technical experience of citizen developers can result in less optimized and effective solutions.
Additionally, scalability is impacted as companies need to increase the complexity of systems and automations. This is because citizen development projects usually involve simple systems and automations, while high-complexity projects typically require significant involvement from technical teams with programming skills.
In other words, in the long run, and depending on how much your company grows, maintaining citizen developer professionals may not be the best solution.
Finally, the security of the developed applications—these professionals typically are not as aware of software security rules, which can result in vulnerable systems and create dependence on the technical team to fix flaws.
How to Become a Citizen Developer?
To become a citizen developer and succeed, it is essential to follow some steps. See:
- Understand the basics of development: although not required to program, it is essential that the citizen developer familiarize themselves with the basic concepts of software development programming.
- Explore low-code platforms: use low-code platforms, such as OutSystems and Microsoft Power Apps, for example, to understand their basic functioning.
- Understand the need: talk to your leaders and colleagues about the need for a citizen developer within the organization. To do this, observe if your area can benefit from custom solutions.
- Collaborate with the IT team: it is crucial to adhere to the company’s security policies and standards when developing software.
What Is the Importance of Low-Code and No-Code?
We can say that low-code and no-code platforms have become important in the software development scenario for some companies. Among the main reasons are:
- Agility in development: the possibility of developing applications and automations quickly.
- Reduced dependence on developers: citizen developers can create solutions without relying on professional developers.
- Quick experimentation: application development does not require much time, so it is possible to create functional prototypes quickly.
- Cost reduction: the speed of development implies reduced costs and deadlines.
- Simple maintenance: due to not being very complex and technical, adjusting and modifying applications becomes more straightforward.
All Set Regarding Citizen Developers?
We hope that this content has clarified everything about citizen developers and that it helps your company in making decisions about the best development tools.
If your company is ready to take the next step regarding RPA automation, a high-code platform that stands out for flexibility and unlimited customization, such as BotCity, may be the best choice.
After all, this language is known to the majority of developers and, therefore, is ideal for businesses seeking greater autonomy and control over complex processes.
💡Learn more: Python RPA vs Low-Code Savings CalculatorTherefore, schedule a conversation with our experts or, if you want to try BotCity on your own, feel free to create a free account!
