Top 10 Facts: Why Citizen Development Should Be Essential to Your Business

The digital transformation that forward-looking companies are intent on making requires the adoption of a platform that streamlines operations, reduces costs, and taps the full potential of the workforce — a no-code application development platform.

Here are the basics about no code and why it offers the best solution for sustainable success in today’s dynamic business environment.

What is no-code application development?

A no-code development platform is an integrated software development environment that’s used to create new apps, process workflows and reporting through a graphical user interface. Before no code, building apps meant long development cycles of writing complicated code, then testing and debugging the software. A no-code app development platform replaces the writing of code with intuitive, visual, drag-and-drop interfaces — saving resources and requiring no advanced training to deliver sophisticated apps quickly and efficiently.

No-code platforms are particularly valuable to business users for finding innovative workplace solutions without overloading IT with small projects. This includes solving problems such as customer quotations and pricing approvals, employee onboarding, job applications, and CRM, which result in empowering employees and improving the customer experience.

Why are no-code platforms important and why are these tools becoming so popular?

No code is the fastest, easiest, most cost-effective way to build business apps and empower citizen developers in the workplace to gain quick insights, eliminate wasteful procedures, collaborate, and innovate. Employees without any software engineering skills can create industry-specific apps that were once the sole province of IT departments.

Placing app-building capabilities in the hands of employees is crucial for an organization to stay competitive in our world where digitization and data are key to success. With more and more companies relying on low code / no code to automate antiquated systems and processes, Gartner predicts that low code and no code will power the creation of 70% of new applications by 2025.

What are the benefits of citizen development?

A citizen development platform can help businesses meet their most essential goals: reduce waste, replace inefficient systems with new cost-effective processes, and access fast, accurate insights that lead to enhanced business outcomes and improved employee and customer satisfaction.

Additionally, these platforms lessen the risk of so-called “shadow IT” — digital solutions created by employees that are not under the purview of the IT department — and even offer the prospect of turning these resources into assets.

“It’s worth acknowledging two truths: shadow IT is essential for business operations, and talent capable of creating applications often resides outside the IT department,” write McKinsey experts. “Despite its utility, shadow IT poses a serious security risk to all organizations, but enterprises have an incredible opportunity to transform it into an area of innovation and speed.”

A powerful no-code platform improves efficiency and increases productivity while reducing risk and eliminating the need to revamp old systems or hire additional personnel to adopt a new platform. HCL Domino Leap, for instance, is a proven platform that Fortune 500 companies depend on to leverage the power, security, and innovative technology they need to stay on the leading edge.

How secure is a no-code platform?

A company’s data is its most valuable asset. That’s why top-flight businesses rely on no-code platforms that have rock-solid security, governance and control, email security, and easy integration in their DNA.

These platforms have strong built-in security and when combined with a set of zero-trust rules, they can prevent most data breaches and cyberattacks. What’s more, they include a set of tools to counter the infamous human factor.

“No matter how good the low-code tool is, there’s still a chance that employees will be tempted to create applications beyond the security radar,” Jonathan Reed writes in Security Intelligence. “For this reason, built-in permissions go a long way in maintaining good governance.” Proper training, testing and gate-keeping are key here.

For years, HCL Domino has set a standard for security in the app dev world. It’s so reliable, safe and secure that accounting firms and banks trust their audit processes to Domino Leap.

What can I do with no code? What can I build with this platform?

A no-code platform lets employees create their own tools to help them do their jobs better and more efficiently. Rather than putting in a request to the IT department to come up with a solution to improve workflow, they can do it themselves — in any aspect of the business ecosystem.

From tracking expenses to the submission and approval of documents to case management and candidate recruitment, a high-performance low-code platform such as HCL Domino Leap enables the workforce to easily implement workplace enhancements and gain real-time insights that drive innovation. Check out the Domino Leap showroom to see what’s possible.

How long does it take to put a citizen development platform into place?

Switching to a no-code platform transforms businesses, but it is not a time-consuming process. It can be up and running in days, not the weeks or months that adopting a new platform often takes.

Right out of the box, Domino Leap is complete and fully secure in one install — an all-in-one application server ready to help start solving business challenges. The latest version offers no code and a host of features that make it easier than ever to tap the full potential of citizen developers while improving employee and customer experiences.

The best news? Update to the latest version of HCL Domino to take full advantage of this visionary solution.

Will citizen developers replace programmers?

No code puts app-building capability in the hands of novice developers and designers instead of relying on seasoned software engineers. But it doesn’t eliminate the need for coding or for sophisticated programming experts.

That means that programmers will be less relied upon by the general workforce for all IT-related requests and can focus on higher-level issues like planning, architecture, DevOps, and security.

By mitigating the risk of shadow IT, low-code platforms further un-burden IT professionals from having to perform low-level but necessary tasks — speeding up development time and improving productivity and employee satisfaction.

Does digital transformation require coding?

The rise of no-code and low-code platforms has transformed the work traditionally performed by professional developers, but coding is still very much a valued and necessary part of the move toward digital transformation.

No code automates thousands of basic tasks, but software engineering skills are still required for high-level innovation, custom development of consumer applications, and other vital initiatives.

In today’s business landscape, speed is of the essence. As organizations continue to prioritize digital transformation, they are increasingly turning to no-code platforms to speed up that initiative.

Is no-code development faster?

The success of no-code platforms in speeding up the app-development process has transformed the business world in recent years. What used to take weeks or months of traditional development can now be accomplished and put into practice in a matter of hours or even minutes.

HCL Domino Leap enables citizen developers to build applications with ready-made components — such as customer lead capture, special customer offers or business dashboards — in minutes. With minimal effort, employees can make their apps mobile and web-ready, meeting customers (and their colleagues) where they are and giving them the accessibility they want. Once an app is finished, it then can be turned into a template for others to use.

Is no code scalable? How customizable is a no-code platform?

Scalability is a key feature of any high-performance no-code development platform. An agile, intuitive interface and ease of use means employees can continually come up with new solutions and processes based on up-to-the-minute insights without the involvement of a company’s IT professionals. Whether it’s a mining operation or a clothing retailer, end users can create industry-specific apps that maximize efficiency and tap their own creative potential.

No code includes pre-configured visual tools that make it easy for business users with no formal software training to develop custom apps — without writing a single line of code. Guided by a user experience that takes them through the process, citizen developers can easily customize the way their apps look and function. As businesses grow, they can leverage more citizen developers to collaborate and improve their workflows.

HCL Domino Leap offers enterprises a no-code development platform that accelerates the design, building, and deployment of applications while eliminating the need to revamp old systems or hire new personnel to adopt a new platform.

The drive toward digitization and the rise of citizen developers across the business landscape have raised no-code development to a position of strategic importance. No code’s many advantages — ease of use, security, productivity improvement — align with goals and objectives of organizations challenged to keep pace with the ever-increasing speed of application delivery.

No code offers a solution that taps the potential of a company’s resources — both human and digital — leading to improved outcomes across the board. Give HCL Domino Leap a try now!