The growing demand for software has given rise to pseudo-programmers who, though not professional developers, build applications that empower their business lines. These citizen developers (cit-devs) build apps because IT can’t build the software they require when they require it.
Cit-devs fall into two camps: those who don’t code, and power users who do minimal coding. Forty-one percent of business respondents are running active cit-dev initiatives, with another 20 percent either evaluating or planning to start, according to a survey from Gartner, which predicts the number of active citizen developers will be at least four times the number of professional developers by 2023.
CIO’s Clint Boulton wrote an interesting article that describes how low-code and no-code platforms help organisations to build software through citizen developers. The problem I have with the article is the link to Shadow IT. It is true that Shadow IT can be handled/controlled by using low-code or no-code platforms. However, without the right controls and governance, a company can create even more Shadow IT solutions, but instead of Excel or Access based apps, they are now using no-code platforms.
In order to get rid of Shadow IT, you need more then just a cool no-code platform: you also need an entire set of rules, governance, in place. And have it embedded in your organization. Have IT take care of access to corporate data, security, privacy, etc. So while citizen development can indeed address Shawdow IT, it needs more then just a tool.
