Over the past decade of developing WaveMaker, one recurring expectation we’ve encountered is that low-code platforms will enable business users to easily create feature-rich applications. While this is technically possible, it’s a practice that should be approached with caution. There are key reasons why business teams should not dive into application development, and understanding these reasons is essential for long-term success.
In 2021, Gartner predicted that by 2023, the number of active citizen developers in large enterprises would surpass professional software developers by a ratio of 4:1. While this prediction hasn’t fully materialized, the growing trend of citizen development programs calls for serious consideration. Business teams may be eager to take on development tasks, but without the right skills and expertise, the results can be less than optimal.
To understand the risks, let’s first define citizen development. Citizen development refers to non-technical users creating business applications using no-code or low-code platforms that automate much of the code generation. While this can be a useful tool for simple internal applications, there are limitations to what non-developers can and should build.
For instance, consider a scenario where an organization needs a basic leave application tool. It may seem sensible to let business users create this with a low-code platform, especially if professional developers are too costly or tied up with other priorities. While this works in some cases, it’s only suitable for simple, internal tools that don’t require complex business logic, advanced integrations, modern user interfaces, or high-security standards. Anything more complex could lead to poor functionality, security risks, and longer-term issues that outstrip the initial cost savings.