# Citizen Development 101: A Guide for Small Businesses | Capterra > A preliminary guide to citizen development. Learn what citizen development is and understand if it's the right fit for your small business. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-citizen-development --- # Citizen Development: Why It’s a Game-Changer in Innovation for SMBs By Bhavya Aggarwal Bhavya Aggarwal Bhavya Aggarwal is a Technical Content Writer at Capterra, covering Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Emerging Technologies, with a focus on improvi... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bhavya-aggarwal/) Published March 24, 2023 7 min read ## Encourage non-IT employees with no coding knowledge to experiment with low-code/no-code software development. Tired of waiting on your developers for every software your business needs? As a small-business owner, it can be frustrating to miss deadlines because of the software development team’s delays. And let's face it, outsourcing the job can be expensive. But what if you could create software tools and apps yourself without any coding knowledge? That's exactly what citizen development lets you do. Our 2023 Shadow IT Project Management Survey[\*](#methodology) found that over half (57%) of small businesses have citizen developers working with their IT departments to create bespoke applications for their business needs. Citizen development allows you to bypass your IT team’s backlog and increase productivity—saving both time and money. In this article, we’ll provide an overview of citizen development, including its definition, benefits, and risks. We’ll also share tips to help your small business make the most of this IT practice. ## What is citizen development? Citizen development is a business practice that allows non-technical staff within an organization to create software solutions using drag-and-drop tools known as low-code/no-code platforms.  You can use the features and modules pre-coded into these platforms to create software systems or apps without the support of your development team. It's like DIY coding for non-techies. Whether you need a mobile-first application for a client or an internal process management tool, a citizen developer can build one easily. This IT practice saves you time and money and makes your team self-sufficient. _A representation of how the drag-and-drop feature works in a low-code/no-code tool (_[_Source_](https://www.capterra.com/p/231450/Appmasterio/)_)_ ## 4 reasons to adopt citizen development for your small business Imagine a work culture where your team can be more productive and use resources more efficiently. Citizen development can help you get there. ### 1\. Save time and money Maximizing resource efficiency and minimizing expenses is crucial for your small business. A citizen developer program could help you achieve both by allowing you to easily create apps for automating routine tasks such as document management. You could, for instance, develop a personalized chatbot to handle common customer inquiries. This approach speeds up product development so you can get things done faster—without having to wait on your development team. Findings from our 2022 Low-Code/No-Code Project Management Survey[\*\*](#methodology) indicate that 34% of project managers save one to two weeks of development time by adopting a citizen developer program. Additionally, it reduces costs by eliminating the need to outsource software app development. Citizen developers within your organization can independently create essential dashboards, toolkits, and project prototypes. The low-code/no-code approach has helped 39% of project managers save up to $10K in their last project and 50% reduce their development costs[\*\*](#methodology). ### 2\. Ensure application development quality As a small business, you may not have a team of seasoned developers, but that doesn't mean you need to sacrifice quality. With citizen development, you can mitigate the risk of software development errors caused by inadequate code testing or debugging. Most low-code/no-code platforms incorporate built-in quality assurance measures to prevent coding issues. They also have pre-coded security verification features to minimize security vulnerabilities related to authentication, session management, and access control in the business application you aim to develop. ### 3\. Enhance productivity Integrating citizen development into your business strategy could help unlock your team's potential and drive innovation. Start by training your employees on popular no-code platforms relevant to your industry. This will enable them to transform their ideas into prototypes, facilitating quicker approval from the leadership and boosting overall productivity. To foster a collaborative environment, establish a monthly check-in between your IT department and active citizen developers. This ongoing communication will allow your IT team to assist citizen developers by offering additional support with no-code tools and addressing technical concerns. ### 4\. Improve employee experience A citizen development initiative can greatly enhance employee experience for your small business. Providing your staff access to no-code tools for side projects, such as developing an in-house feedback platform or an intern onboarding app, will allow them to flex their creative muscles. This could boost their confidence and even lead to recognition, increasing overall job satisfaction and engagement. Encourage every employee—irrespective of their job title or responsibilities—to embrace citizen development tools. Imagine the potential if a salesperson could develop a personalized chatbot or an accountant could construct a real-time expense tracking dashboard. Empowering your employees to leverage these tools can unlock hidden talent and optimize resources, resulting in a more efficient and satisfied workforce. ## 3 common challenges with citizen development A citizen development program is beneficial, but you should also be aware of its limitations. Findings from Capterra's 2022 Low-Code/No-Code Project Management Survey[\*\*](#methodology) highlight the following common challenges: ### 1\. Steep learning curve and complexity For 50% of project managers using low-code/no-code tools, learning curve and software complexity are the biggest challenges. This generally happens when the platform has a complex user interface, making it difficult for new users to navigate and use the tool effectively. However, if you ask your IT team to conduct regular training sessions, or if you invest in online tutorials, it shouldn’t be hard to get past this challenge. ### 2\. Customization limits Low-code/no-code platforms let you customize software builds per your requirements. Yet, 31% of project managers report limited customization as a challenge with these tools—the tools they use don't let them tweak applications as much as they’d like. This could be frustrating and could even contradict the purpose of low-code/no-code development.  However, there are solutions to this challenge. Some platforms offer more advanced customization options, while others allow for integrations with other tools to extend functionality. It's important to research and choose a tool that offers the level of customization your business needs. ### 3\. Risk of shadow IT Shadow IT is when non-technical employees use unsanctioned third-party software, creating security risks for their business. Unlike citizen development—where every technology is sanctioned by IT—shadow IT occurs when employees try to bypass IT policies and procedures by using unapproved software. According to our 2022 Shadow IT Project Management Survey[\*](#methodology), 32% of SMBs have experienced shadow IT, and 50% say it’s due to a lack of employee awareness of the correct process for getting new software. Shadow IT can also have a negative financial impact—63% of SMBs had to pay for software/hardware replacement, 38% had to pay fines, and 34% had to hire new employees. It can even cause moderate cybersecurity threats, which 55% of SMBs say can affect their operations.  To address this challenge, establish a policy outlining the terms of use of low-code/no-code tools. Also, provide compliance training to your employees and familiarize them with citizen development best practices. ## Prepare your business for citizen development Gartner predicts that by 2023, the number of citizen developers will be at least four times the number of professional developers[\[1\]](#sources). This suggests that citizen development could soon become a rapidly emerging IT culture—even if it doesn't become the norm. To prepare your small business to hop on board, keep the following in mind: - **Evaluate whether your small business actually needs citizen development**. While there are several benefits, a citizen development program also comes with compliance-related responsibilities, so carefully evaluate the pros and cons before making a decision. - **Conduct an in-house survey to determine if your employees are ready** to support this new culture. After all, your employees will eventually be the ones running the citizen development initiative, so it's important to ensure everyone is on board before diving in. - **Don't rush into committing to a platform or tool**. The market is flooded with low-code and no-code development tools specifically designed for small businesses. Take time to explore your options and find the best fit for your team. This will help you make the most of your citizen application development efforts. **Want to learn more about low-code/no-code development? Check out these resources:** - [Low Code Development: What Is It, and Should You Be Using It?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-low-code-development/) - [It’s Harder Than Ever To Hire Coders—Here’s How PMs Can Use Low-Code/No-Code Software to Fill The Gap](https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-pms-can-use-low-code-and-no-code-software-to-fill-the-tech-talent-gap/) - [How To Select the Right Provider To Customize Software](https://www.capterra.com/resources/how-to-choose-a-software-development-company/) - [Is Customizing Business Applications Right for You?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/custom-software-development/) * * * **Survey methodologies** \*Capterra's Shadow IT and Project Management Survey was conducted in January 2023 among 300 IT project managers, SMB leaders, and IT leaders at small-midsize businesses who have experience with high-impact shadow IT efforts. The purpose of the survey was to learn about their experiences and challenges with shadow IT teams. Respondents were screened to ensure their business has 1,000 or fewer employees and an annual revenue of $500 million or less. \*\*Capterra conducted the Low-Code/No-Code Project Management Survey in September 2022. A total of 319 U.S.-based project managers took the survey, out of which 219 respondents reported using a low-code and/or no-code approach. We ran the survey to understand the level of awareness and usage of a low-code and/or no-code technique in IT projects. Respondents were screened to ensure they are very to extremely involved in project management at their current company. Sources 1. [The Future of Apps Must Include Citizen Development](https://www.gartner.com/document/3970067), Gartner * * * ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Bhavya Aggarwal](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/bhavya-aggarwal/) Bhavya Aggarwal is a Technical Content Writer at Capterra, covering Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Emerging Technologies, with a focus on improving IT for small to midsize businesses. He has more than five years of experience in persuasive and fact-based content creation, and his work has been featured in branded publications such as Gartner, Sprinklr, YourStory, etc. Bhavya has a bachelor’s degree in commerce with a strong background in mass communication and digital marketing. 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