What is Citizen Development?
- reinatakata
- Aug 20
- 5 min read
Can System Development Be Done Without Vendors?
How well does your company understand its internal systems? Many companies may not know much about their systems because they leave everything to vendors. While vendors can build sophisticated systems with their expertise, some companies may feel anxious about completely outsourcing important systems to external vendors.
In such cases, "citizen development" is a method that can be utilized. It allows for the in-house development of much of the system development that has been dependent on vendors, and enables non-IT personnel from business departments to participate in development. This can also serve as a stepping stone for promoting DX (Digital Transformation).
This article introduces the overview of citizen development, its benefits, and points to consider.
What is Citizen Development?
"Citizen development" refers to non-IT personnel from business departments developing systems using no-code or low-code tools.
Previously, when developing business systems on-site, the mainstream approach was to create very small-scale systems combining Excel macros. With citizen development, more comprehensive development becomes possible.
Systems that meet on-site needs can be developed, further advancing business digitalization. This can also serve as a stepping stone for DX.
Background of Why Citizen Development is Gaining Attention
As the first step of DX, business digitalization is being promoted in many companies. The necessity for digitalization has grown even more due to the increase in remote work during the COVID pandemic, but many companies seem to be struggling due to budget shortages and IT personnel shortages.
Therefore, more companies are developing business systems through "citizen development" to advance business digitalization while addressing budget and personnel shortages.
Benefits and Disadvantages of Outsourcing to Vendors
Regarding business systems, many companies have traditionally outsourced system development, operation, and maintenance management to vendors. While this has certain benefits, there are also many disadvantages.
Benefits
Most development work can be left to vendors, requiring minimal internal effort
Operation and troubleshooting can also be left to vendors, eliminating operational burden
Expert knowledge and advice on system development can be obtained
Internal personnel shortages can be compensated, eliminating the need for personnel training
Overall budget planning becomes easier
Current systems can be maintained effectively
Disadvantages
Complete dependence on vendors makes it impossible to understand the current state of systems (system black-boxing)
Important internal data and systems must be entrusted to vendors
Cannot determine whether current systems are truly suited for current operations, lacking materials for judgment
Costs more than in-house system development
In many companies, business system development and operation are completely left to vendors. Many companies view this positively as "saving effort." However, there are also many companies that want to increase their internal involvement and preferably develop systems in-house. This is why more companies are engaging in "citizen development."
Benefits and Considerations of Citizen Development
As IT and business system adoption increases and IT personnel become scarce, citizen development is expected to continue growing. What benefits and disadvantages does this entail?
Benefits
Breaking Away from Vendor-Dependent Status Quo
By developing systems in-house, companies can record development processes and content internally, preserving the process and know-how within the company. This prevents system black-boxing.
Preventing Vendor Lock-in
By developing in-house, companies can also handle maintenance and operation internally, preventing vendor lock-in. Vendor lock-in refers to being forced to continue using a specific vendor due to dependency.
Resolving IT Personnel Shortage Issues
Non-IT personnel can develop systems, resolving delays in system development caused by IT personnel shortages.
Cost Reduction
Citizen development can significantly reduce costs compared to vendor fees, resolving delays in system development due to budget constraints.
Often Faster Development Speed
Using low-code tools allows non-IT personnel to develop quickly. Systems can often be built faster than waiting for vendor development after placing orders.
System Construction Meeting On-site Needs
Since systems directly needed on-site are constructed, systems that meet actual needs can be built.
Improvement of Internal IT Literacy
Non-IT personnel participating in system construction improves IT literacy. If citizen development and system usage spread throughout the company, IT literacy can be improved company-wide.
Considerations
Developers Require Training
Even no-code tools may require programming knowledge for some tools. Tool usage must also be learned. A certain amount of training is necessary before system development.
Developed Systems Require Updates
No-code tools are updated quite frequently. Additionally, newly developed systems may be difficult to use, or business processes may change. Therefore, developed systems need updates as necessary.
System Quality Management is Difficult
In citizen development, system quality varies depending on developers. For areas requiring certain quality standards like security, support from information systems departments or vendors is necessary.
Risk of Proliferation and Abandonment of Department-Specific Optimal Systems
Developing systems individually needed on-site creates the risk of proliferating systems with similar functions to those created by other departments. Systems that become unused and abandoned midway will also occur.
High Operational Burden
On-site operations must handle system development and maintenance in addition to current work, often increasing operational burden.
No-Code Tools for Citizen Development Serve as the First Step of DX
Using no-code tools enables business departments to develop systems without relying on vendors or information systems departments. This means system construction meeting on-site needs becomes possible. Additionally, IT personnel shortages common in many companies can be addressed.
If on-site system development using no-code tools becomes commonplace and spreads company-wide, internal digitalization will advance further. Simultaneously, corporate organization and business flow reviews will be conducted to match business systems, advancing internal transformation. This is also called "democratization of digital" and forms the foundation of DX.
In other words, establishing citizen development becomes the first step in promoting DX.
Summary: Advancing Digitalization and Internal Reform Through Citizen Development
Although DX promotion has been advocated for several years, many companies still haven't advanced digitalization. This is largely attributed to budget and digital personnel shortages. Citizen development becomes an effective solution here. If your company still has areas that haven't been digitalized, advance digitalization through citizen development and build the foundation for DX.
System development has an image of requiring much time and budget. However, citizen development can reduce both development time and costs. Most importantly, preventing system black-boxing is a major benefit.
Even so, companies currently facing IT personnel shortages may feel anxious about in-house system development even using no-code tools.
In such cases, we recommend implementing NeoJapan's "Business Application Creation Tool AppSuite." This tool is prepared for business application development, enabling non-IT personnel to develop various business applications. Furthermore, richer functionality can be realized through integration with the groupware "desknet's NEO." This can also change the current situation of heavy vendor dependence.
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