This post does not contain any quick hack that will immediately solve all your life problems. Nevertheless, I think it is quite important.
So first of all – what is it about?
Citizen development is an approach in which reports, applications, and automations are not created by “IT people.” They are created by “ordinary” employees from production, logistics, and marketing. The IT department only provides the background and support.
It is an approach that could not work in the past – simply because, apart from developers, no one knew how to develop software.
Today, however, everything is different, thanks to low-code tools and AI.
And it is true that, for example, in reporting, Citizen Development already works well thanks to Power BI. After all, even a not particularly well-trained monkey can handle creating a simple report in it.
But why not take it further and let users create operational applications and automations as well?
I see several fundamental advantages in this:
Flexibility. I think this is something that is really lacking especially in the Czech Republic. Before we even describe a problem here, in China they develop a solution, build a production line, produce half a billion cars, and move on to something more modern. Citizen development allows you not only to create applications lightning-fast, but above all to dynamically adapt them to process needs.
Applications are created by people who deeply understand the process. Lengthy explanations, misunderstandings, and corrections are eliminated… This speeds up not only the creation of the application, but also fixes. The user sees that something is not working, so they simply fix it.
Users know best WHAT needs to be automated. They are then able to proceed agilely and, in a “Pareto” way, primarily solve the things that cause the most problems. That is another big plus.
And the disadvantages?
No, SAP really cannot be implemented this way. Nor can any other huge mega-projects. I do not need to explain why.
Paradoxically, this approach requires a good IT department. First, because it must understand the relevant tools (in our case, the Power Platform). Second, it must devote some time to creating a properly secured (but not “over-secured”) environment for development. And third, it must be able to communicate in a human way and be the one that supports rather than the one that forbids.
People need to know how to develop applications. There is no point in teaching everyone, but in almost every team there is someone active and capable who will understand the potential and embrace it. It is only necessary to make sure that everything does not depend on just one person – for reasons of backup and substitutability, and so on.
Overall?
Citizen Development gives a company speed, drive, and the ability to adapt quickly to changes. I do not know a company that would not need to improve in these areas.
And how does it work in your company?
