In a world shaped by technology and digitalisation, the ability to develop customised software solutions is becoming increasingly important. Traditionally, software development is a field that is only mastered by highly qualified IT experts. But in recent years, a new trend has emerged – the rise of so-called citizen developers is fundamentally changing the way software is developed.
What are citizen developers?
Citizen developers are not professional programmers, but people from different areas of a company who can independently create software applications using low-code or no-code development platforms. These platforms provide a user-friendly environment that allows even people without extensive programming knowledge to develop and customise applications. With the right tools, employees can put their creative ideas into action without technical obstacles.
Advantages of Citizen Developers
- Faster innovation: Citizen developers can develop prototypes and solutions faster because they do not have to wait for IT experts to be available.
- Cost efficiency: Companies can save costs by using internal resources instead of hiring expensive external developers.
- Better understanding of business processes: Citizen developers often have deeper insights into their company’s operational processes, leading to customised solutions.
- Flexibility and adaptability: As requirements change, citizen developers can make adjustments to their applications without having to go through long development cycles.
- Promote creativity: People from different departments can implement their creative ideas without overcoming technical barriers.
Citizen developers as an answer to the shortage of skilled workers?
Companies are faced with the challenge of becoming faster, more digital and therefore more economical in order to keep up with the times and remain competitive. However, this is particularly difficult in the IT sector due to the shortage of skilled workers. In 2022, 61.5 percent of vacancies in IT professions could not be filled with suitably qualified specialists. So how should companies keep up?
Citizen developers could be one answer to this. According to Gartner, the ratio between pro developers and citizen developers is currently 1:1. By 2025, this ratio is expected to change to 1:4. This means that the power of citizen developers can further advance digitalisation in companies and thus, to a certain extent, counteract the shortage of skilled workers in the IT sector.
What is needed for more citizen developers?
Citizen developers are not typical programmers who spend 8 hours a day working on source code. Citizen developers need no-/low-code platforms that you can easily use with little technical understanding in order to implement the expertise you need. Artificial intelligence also plays a major role here. By cleverly using AI, citizen developers can bypass technology and, for example, create interfaces or process logic using text input.
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Challenges for companies
Despite all the benefits, there are also challenges associated with citizen development. The quality of the applications created must be ensured, and it is important to keep an eye on security and compliance requirements. Companies should provide training and support to ensure that citizen developers work effectively and responsibly.
Conclusion: The future of software development with Citizen Developer
The rise of citizen developers signals an exciting shift in the world of software and process development. By extending the ability to create software/business processes to a wider range of people, companies can be more flexible, agile and innovative. This approach to software development could not only revolutionise the way companies work, but also open the door to a new era of creativity and innovation. It remains to be seen what exciting developments these citizen developers will bring forth in the future.
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