Low-Code

Process
Automation
Session 1: Introduction
Darshan Jain BSc MBA
Academic Director, Rotman
Industry Practice Leader, Nintex
 Course instructor: Darshan Jain

2
 AGENDA
• Introduction and welcome
• Course outline
• Housekeeping

SESSION ONE
• Definition and Overview
• Historical Context and Evolution
• Key Players in the Low-Code Market
• Difference between Low-Code and RPA
• Hybrid Approach to Automation
• Workflow Management and Integration
• Empowering Business Users to Automate
• Low-Code Automation in Organizations

3
Course
Outline
 Course calendar
SESSION DATE MODULES TOPICS

• Definition and overview • Key Players in Marketplace

Introduction & Context
• Historical Context • Difference between Low-Code & RPA

May 6, 2023
08:00-12:00 ET Understanding Low-Code • Hybrid Approach to Automation
• Workflow Management and Integration
13:00-17:00 GMT Automation • Code Generation
17:30-21:30 IST

• Empowering Business Users to • Low-Code Automation in Large

Citizen Development
Automate Organizations

• Healthcare
• Manufacturing
Use Cases by Industry • Financial Services
• Government and Public Sector
• Retail and E-commerce
May 13, 2023
08:00-12:00 ET Business Case • Assessing ROI • Selling the Business Case to
13:00-17:00 GMT Development • Building a Strong Business Case Stakeholders
17:30-21:30 IST
Implementing Low-Code • Assessment and Planning • Best Practices for Implementation
Automation • Selecting the Right Tool • Overcoming Challenges

5
 Class housekeeping

• Full copy of class slides will be made available to you

• Take notes as needed as they may be helpful in
preparing for assessment at end of course
• Ask questions via chat window and we will address them
at the end of each section
• We will take one or two short breaks during each class
• You can reach me directly at: darshan.jain@utoronto.ca
• Or via LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/darshanjain/

6
Definition &
Overview of Low-
Code Automation
 What is Low-code automation?
Low-code automation is a software development approach that allows developers to create
applications with minimal manual coding.

Typical features include:

― visual development environment
― drag-and-drop interface
― pre-built components
― rapid development of complex
applications
― built-in tools for testing,
debugging, deployment
― API’s for integration with other
systems/platforms

8
 Low-code automation can deliver professional quality applications

Screenshot of an asset management application for a bike company

9
 Low-code platform features
Equipped with out-of-the-box (OOTB)
functionality that renders redundant
the need to build application core
modules from scratch.

Built-in components that are capable Allows you to drag and drop different
of presenting information in a format components of an application rather than
that is comprehensible to anyone, having to build all on your own significantly
irrespective of the level of their simplifying the development process.
technical training or know-how.

Adequate security protocols in Repeated use of pre-configured

place ensure that the apps built modules, components, and
using low-code platforms are functionalities makes the process of
safe and protected at all times. application development a lot quicker.

Ability to deploy low-code Streamlines and simplifies the different stages of the
application on any device that development process, from testing to debugging to
runs on one of the major operating deployment; allows you to revert to an older version if
systems (Windows, MacOS, necessary for better functioning.
Android, Linux, etc).

Apps can easily adapt to Track effectiveness of various

growing or changing business components within an application
needs, catering just as at every step of the process.
seamlessly to 20 users or 200.
10 Source: Cuelogic, An LTI Company
 Low-code application platforms (LCAPs) are an essential pillar within the
intelligent automation eco-system

Intelligent
Automation

LCAP
11
 High level schematic of intelligent business execution

12 Source: IDC
 Development flow for intelligent business execution

13 Source: IDC
 Low-code application development applies to the workflow component in
intelligent business execution

Low-code
app dev

14 Source: IDC
 Key benefits
Faster Increased Reduced costs
of low-code development productivity significantly reduce the cost

application times
LCAPs allow developers
with pre-built components
and visual development
environments, LCAPs enable
of software development by
streamlining the
development process and

platforms to create applications

quickly/easily
developers to focus on
building applications, rather
reducing the need for highly
skilled developers
than writing code

Improved Quicker
Greater agility
collaboration LCAPs enable organizations innovation
LCAPs provide collaboration to quickly respond to
LCAPs shorten the
features that enable teams to changing business
work together more requirements and market
innovation cycle with
effectively, share code and conditions by rapidly faster build, test, and
components, and streamline developing and deploying redesign phases (weeks
the development process new applications vs. months)

15
 Low-code technology terms
• Low-code: Low-code is a software development methodology that allows organizations to build applications faster
and fosters collaboration between IT and businesspeople. Low-code allows you to program a machine through a visual
interface, such as by drawing a workflow diagram. It’s a much more intuitive and human way of interacting with a
machine than high coding.
• Low-code applications: Low-code applications are built using a low-code platform. This visual development
environment utilizes tools like drag-and-drop modelers, smart services, components, and prebuilt connectors.
• Low-code solution: An out-of-the-box, prebuilt offering, a low-code solution can be used as is but is also highly
customizable to meet an organization’s specific business needs.
• Low-code data: Low-code data is a fast and easy way to access, combine, and take action on data from any source
with no need to write code or migrate your data from the system where it resides. A visual interface with point-and-click
functionality is leveraged to make interacting with the data much easier than in high-code environments.
• No-code: No-code platforms allow users to create simple interfaces, such as portals, websites, and landing pages.
The functionality of true no-code platforms is limited. Most no-code platforms marketed to citizen developers do still
require some coding for the creation of simple applications.
• Workflow: Workflow is the orchestration of people, systems, and data, and it connects capabilities like process
mining and automation. Workflow is most effective when it sits at the center of a low-code platform.
• Citizen developer: A citizen developer is a user who creates new business applications for consumption by others
using development and run-time environments sanctioned by corporate IT.
16
Historical Context
and Evolution
 Emergence of low-code application development
• Low-Code Automation has its roots in the rapid application development (RAD) movement of
the 1980s and 1990s
• RAD was a software development approach that emphasized prototyping, iterative
development, and visual tools
• Over time, RAD evolved into low-code application development (LCAP), which provided even
more visual development tools, pre-built components, and simplified deployment options

2025
Autonomous
RAD Supply Chains

Super
intelligent
cognitive
Assistants

Quantum
Computing

18 Source: HFS (modified)

 Key milestones and industry trends
• Low-code automation platforms began to emerge in early 2000s with companies such as
Salesforce and OutSystems leading the way
• Since then, the low-code market has grown rapidly, with new platforms and vendors entering
the market each year
• “Low-Code Application Development Platform” term was first coined by Forrester Research
in 2014
• Today, low-code automation is a major trend in software development, with many
organizations adopting low-code platforms to improve productivity, reduce costs, and
respond more quickly to changing business needs
• Industry analysts predict that the low-code automation market will continue to grow, with
some estimates projecting that it will reach $25 billion by 2025
• In addition, low-code automation is also fueling the emergence of citizen developers, who
are business users with little or no coding experience who can use low-code automation
platforms to create simple applications and automate business processes
19
 Low-code application platforms (LCAPs) have been
steadily growing in general industry awareness

LCAP

20 Source: Google Trends

 LCAPs are a key ingredient in Gartner’s “hyperautomation”

21 Source: Gartner / Appian

 Low-code evolution is gaining strength

On average, 41% of employees in an organization are

business technologists, employees outside of IT who
create personal or dept-specific applications. LCAPs
empower diverse citizen developers to deliver innovation.

LCAPs have emerged as a

key component of successful
hyperautomation with 13% of
business technologists ranking
LC tools as top choice for
automation initiatives.
Organizations are adopting application
composition technologies that enable
fusion teams to implement composable
applications. LCAPs are one of the key
technologies supporting this movement.

22 Source: Gartner
 High customer
satisfaction
with low-code
application
development
platforms

23 Source: IDC SAP Survey 2022; n=532

Market Size and
Opportunities
 Millions of US Dollars
LCAP global
revenue is
growing at
CAGR of 20%+
and is forecast
to exceed $12
billion by 2024

25 Source: Gartner
26 Source: Technavio
 Mass adoption of LCAPs began 2-3 years ago

Q: How long has your organization been using low-code Q: How long have your business users had access to low-
software (in months)? code software?

Asia-Pacific region is slightly behind in uptake Business users are rapidly becoming developers

27 Source: SAP Survey 2022; n=341

 IT dominates decision making on low-code software
selection… but business is getting more involved
Q: How does your organization currently select low-code software?

28 Source: SAP Survey 2022; n=341

 IT also dominates funding of low-code platforms

Q: Which statement best represents how low-code solutions will be funded?

29 Source: HFS Survey 2022; n=150

 Low-code is 25% faster than custom code
Q: How does the average time to achieve
quantifiable benefits generally compare with
delivering the equivalent through custom code?

30 Source: SAP Survey 2022; n=341

 A broad range of projects can be tackled with low-code

Q: Of the following, which types Improving customer experience

of automation projects has your
organization worked on over the Digital transformation projects
past 12 months using low-code
software? Improving employee experience

Customer-facing digital services

Employee automation projects

Top two areas align with strategic
imperatives in most organizations Back-office automation projects

Back-office process improvement

Partner/ecosystem projects

Compliance-related projects

31 Source: SAP Survey 2022; n=341

 “IT backlog” Q: What is the primary driver for your current adoption of low-code automation?

in some
organizations
is a top driver
of low-code
adoption

32 Source: HFS Survey 2022; n=150

 Automation and emerging technology are top areas of
investment for organizations

33 Source: HFS Survey 2022; n=602

 Organizations are at different points in their journey
towards digital transformation
5. Transform the
organization
4. Automate
processes
3. Streamline
2. Organize processes
1. Digitize information Digital
information
Transformation
Digitalization The process of optimizing
and transforming the
Digitization The process of using
digital technologies and
organization’s operations,
strategic directions, and
The process of changing information to transform value proposition through
from analog to digital individual, manually- deep, coordinated shifts in
form driven processes culture, workforce, and
technology

34
 Low-code has
become one of
the critical
capabilities in
the drive
towards digital
LCAP, RPA,
transformation IDP, BPM are
and the top automation
‘autonomous capabilities

enterprise’

35 Source: HFS
 Despite mass adoption of low-code and RPA technologies,
we are still in very early stage of the ‘autonomous enterprise’

LCAP

36 Source: HFS
 Ten years after the wide availability of LCAP and RPA, two-
thirds of organizations consider themselves as “Automation
Beginners”

37 Source: HFS Survey 2022; n=511

 Of those
organizations
that have begun
their digital
transformation
journey, only
one-third are
using low-code
platforms

38 Source: McKinsey; n=424

 Technology has become an exaggerated driver of digital
transformation – at the expense of people and process

39 Source: HFS
 Gartner’s predictions on the future of low-code

By 2024, developers outside of

formal IT depts will account for
at least 80% of the user base for By 2025, 70% of new applications
LC tools, up from 60% in 2021 developed by organizations will
use low-code technologies, up
from less than 25% in 2020

2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028

By 2024, hyperautomation
functionality will be the dominant By 2027, at least 50% of LC
competitive differentiator technology investments will be
amongst LC development tools directed at supporting packaged
business capabilities, up from
5% in 2021

40 Source: Gartner
Key Players in
the Market
 Low-code
industry has
exploded over
the past 10+
years with many
players offering
similar features
but catering to
different markets

42
 Amongst dozens of low-code vendors, some are better
known than others

Mendix

43 Source: Info-Tech Research Group

 Low-code platforms are best suited for internal use

44 Source: Chris Yin (Scale Venture Partners)

 LCAP Breadth of Features Quality of Features
vendors are
typically Availability and Quality
Usability and Intuitiveness
of Training
ranked on
10+ platform Ease of Data Integration Ease of IT Administration
capabilities
Product Strategy and
Vendor Support
Rate of Improvement

Ease of Customization Ease of Implementation

Business Value Created

45 Source: Info-Tech Research Group

 Comparison of features and capabilities
• While all low-code automation platforms share common features, such as visual
development tools and pre-built components, there are also differences in the capabilities
and features offered by each platform
• When evaluating low-code platforms, consider factors such as:
― Integration with other tools and platforms
― Security and governance features
― Scalability and performance
― Support for mobile and web development
― Available pre-built components and templates
― Ease of use for business users
― Deployment options, such as cloud or on-premises
• It's important to consider the specific needs and requirements of the organization when
selecting a low-code platform, and to evaluate each platform based on how well it meets
those needs
46
 LCAP ranking by Everest Group

47 Source: Everest Group 2022

 LCAP
ranking by
Forrester
Research

48 Source: Forrester 2019

 LCAP ranking by Gartner and Data Quadrant

49 Source: Gartner 2022; Data Quadrant 2021

 LCAP ranking by Zinnov

Intelligent Automation Platforms

(Process Intelligence, IDP, LCAP, RPA)

50 Source: Zinnov 2022

 Three common components in all LCAPs: building blocks,
decision blocks, connectors

Decisions blocks for when activity can

result in more than one outcome

Connectors Building blocks representing

to guide flow an action, task, or activity
from task or
activity to
next

Appian

51
 Three common components in all LCAPs: building blocks,
decision blocks, connectors

Building blocks representing

an action, task, or activity

Connectors
to guide flow
from task or
activity to
next

Decisions blocks for when

Nintex
activity can result in more
than one outcome

52
 Three common components in all LCAPs: building blocks,
decision blocks, connectors

Mendix
Decisions blocks for when
activity can result in more
than one outcome

Connectors
to guide flow
Building from task or
blocks activity to
representing next
an action,
task, or
activity

53
 Three common components in all LCAPs: building blocks,
decision blocks, connectors

Decisions blocks for when

activity can result in more
than one outcome

Connectors
Building blocks
to guide flow
representing an
from task or
action, task, or
activity to
activity
next

OutSystems

54
 LCAPs allow users to create end-to-end digital workflows

ServiceNow
55 Source: Plat4mation
Difference between
RPA and Low-Code
Automation
 RPA vs. Low-Code Automation
RPA (Robotic Process Automation) is a form of Low-Code Automation uses visual development tools and
automation that uses software robots to automate pre-built components to create applications and automate
repetitive tasks, such as data entry or invoice business processes
processing

SS&C Blueprism RPA

Nintex LCAP

57
 RPA vs. Low-Code Automation
While both RPA and low-code automation platforms (LCAPs) are forms of automation,
they differ in several key aspects, including:
― Scope: RPA is typically used for automating specific, repetitive tasks, while low-
code automation can be used for automating entire business processes
― Complexity: RPA is generally simpler to implement than low-code automation,
since it doesn't require custom coding or application development
― Customization: LCAPs offer more customization options than RPA, allowing for
more complex applications and processes to be automated
― Flexibility: LCAPs are more flexible than RPA, since they can be used for a wider
range of automation tasks and can be integrated with other tools and platforms
more easily

58
 Use low-code for application development… and RPA for
activity or task automation
Low-code Both RPA

59 Source: Rob King / Wizard Innovation

 Multiple paths to achieve business outcomes

60
 Adding RPA
to workflow
tools can
further
increase
process
efficiency

61
 RPA can work within low-code workflows to execute specific
rules-based automation tasks
Illustrative Employee Onboarding Process

New New
Offer Candidate Start Date
Employee Employee
Confirmed Accepts Agreed
Setup Joins

RPA platforms can work seamlessly with BPM/workflow tools to connect with complex ERP/core systems to extract,
input, or process data… repetitive and manual tasks most often performed by humans

62
 Merits of RPA, Low-code, Custom coding
*

63 Source: Solution Street; *Software-as-a-Service / Commercial-off-the-Shelf

 RPA in modest decline as LCAPs gain in popularity

RPA

LCAP

64 Source: Google Trends

 “When looking at an entire
process, RPA can be
applied for bits of it. Using
traditional development to fill
the gaps, ruins the point of RPA
which is meant to be a rapid
route to value.
Low-code is enabling the team
to go to that next stage so we
can build in the other parts we
want in a full end-to-end digital
process.”
Peter Guess
Director, Robotic Process Automation
AstraZeneca

65
 “Low-code is an excellent
solution which provides
rapid success by building
custom applications at low
cost – it may also help
develop temporary
solutions.”
Gregory Dupuy
Head, Process Automation EMEA
Chanel

66
Understanding
Low-Code
Automation
 Code generation techniques in low-code platforms

• Low-code automation
platforms use various
techniques (templates,
pre-built components, and
drag-and-drop interfaces)
to automatically generate
code in the background
• Automated code
generation saves time and
effort compared to
traditional coding methods

68
 Extensive application development using low-code
• Low-code automation platforms can be
used to create a wide variety of
applications, from simple forms to
complex workflows and integrations
• Examples of low-code automation:
― Building web/mobile applications
without needing to write extensive
code
― Automating business processes by
creating workflows that connect
different systems and data sources
― Integrating with other tools and
platforms to create more complex Low-code platforms provide visual editors and reusable actions that users can drag-and-
applications that streamline drop into processes for rapid development.
processes and improve efficiency
69 Source: Brian McHugh, Active Batch
 Common organizational symptoms solved by low-code
• Keeping up with demands from the business – the IT organization is constantly slammed with demands
from the larger organization. The IT backlog is large and perpetually growing… and IT is falling behind.
• Reliance on legacy apps – legacy applications drain efficiency and IT resources. They keep talented IT
resources in a continual state of updates and fixes.
• More time spent on maintenance than innovation – with the need to keep legacy systems and
applications operating properly, most IT teams spend nearly 80% of their time on maintenance, and only
20% on innovation.
• Shadow IT – employees don’t wait for IT, they create their own solutions – that are not a part of formal IT
architecture. This world of Shadow IT adds even more complexity to the business.
• Scarce development resources – it’s getting increasingly hard to find and retain top-notch software
developers
• Inability to keep pace – business units are incented to capitalize on new market opportunities. But they
can’t build apps fast enough to take advantage of these highly competitive opportunities.
• Evolving digital expectations – systems installed five, ten, twenty years ago simply can’t keep up with
fast-changing digital expectations, making it harder to win new customers, and keep existing ones

70
 Top reasons to use low-code vs. custom development

71 Source: Gramener
 Key capabilities amongst top-rated low-code platforms
• Find and fix process bottlenecks: process mining component can analyze event log data to
suggest process enhancements
• Design workflows with a visual, drag-and-drop interface
• Create apps with prebuilt, reusable components such as pre-coded actions, connectors, and
decision rules
• Customize apps with code extensions: developers can write customizations and extensions
to meet unique organizational requirements
• Automate tasks: leading platforms offer built-in automation capabilities, including robotic
process automation, intelligent document processing, artificial intelligence, and smart
services
• Integrate data from anywhere: bring data from CRMs, ERPs, spreadsheets into a single,
unified view
• Go mobile instantly: once an app is developed on a low-code platform, a mobile-optimized
version is automatically created without any additional work

72 Source: Appian via Lowcode.com

 When to use low-code platforms
The main benefit of a low-code platform is essentially that you get a complete, ready-
to-use application.
Low-code developed applications are ideal in three types of situations:
• Applications used internally by the business – these require less refinement than
apps that will be used by external customers or the general public
• Prototypes – a quick, simple way to create and test viability of an app before
proceeding with traditional (expensive, lengthy) development cycle
• Simple/medium complexity applications that gather and process data – a
standardized interface that typically uses forms to gather data and flow connectors to
move data through various decision stages (e.g. an HR application that
gathers/collates CV data of candidates and schedules interviews)

73
 When not to use low code platforms
Three types of applications that are ill-suited for development using low-code
platforms:
• Complex applications that can do many different things – applications that require
constant development and maintenance, exhibit complex behavior, require
integration of multiple third-party API’s, etc.
• Applications that represent an organization’s core business – feature/functionality
choices will be limited to the chosen low-code platform. While this is fine and even
welcome for simple apps (as learning curve is also simple), it is less desirable for
core or critical apps where unique features are needed for product differentiation.
• Apps designed to be used by end-users – as many low-code platforms charge a per-
user fee, this cost structure becomes untenable as user/subscriber volumes grow

74
 Combining Code and Visual Programming
• Low-code automation allows for
a hybrid approach to
automation that combines Flexibility Scalability Low Cost Quick to Build
traditional code with visual
programming tools
• Visual programming is a way of
creating software by
manipulating graphical
elements, rather than writing
code
• By using a hybrid approach,
low-code automation enables
developers to create
applications faster and with less
code than traditional methods

75 Source: Avalanche Computing

 Hybrid approach trade-offs
ADVANTAGES LIMITATIONS

• Combining code and visual • While low-code automation can be

programming provides a more faster, it may not be suitable for
intuitive way of creating software complex applications that require a
applications high level of customization
• Low-code automation reduces the • Combining code and visual
amount of manual coding required, programming can result in a trade-off
resulting in faster development between flexibility and ease of use
cycles
• Hybrid approach may require some
• With a hybrid approach, developers coding skills, so it may not be the
with limited programming skills can best option for non-technical users
create more complex applications
without needing to learn a lot of code

76
 Comparing low-code to no-code

Examples: Mendix, OutSystems, Appian, Nintex, Pega Examples: Quickbase, Zoho, Kissflow

77
Citizen Developer
Movement
 Citizen Developer Movement

COMPLEX
• In recent years, there has been a DEVELOPMENT
growing trend of "citizen developers,"
business users who create or modify DOMAIN

NON-PROGRAMMERS
software solutions without the help of SPECIFIC

PROGRAMMERS
LANGUAGES
professional developers.

• The rise of low-code automation has

accelerated the citizen developer
movement by making it easier for
SIMPLE
business users to automate their own DEVELOPMENT
processes without needing extensive
coding experience.

79 Source: Strumenta
 Who/what is a Citizen Developer?
• Non-technical employees who take the initiative to develop software applications or automate business
processes without relying on IT departments
• They use “low-code” tools to address personal or workgroup-level development and automation
challenges that are key for them but not critical enough at the enterprise level to deserve the attention of
central IT
• They possess a deep understanding of their organization’s needs and pain points, enabling them to
identify opportunities for development and automation that can drive efficiency and productivity
• Typical goals include:
̶ Improve efficiency by automating their own or their workgroup’s formal or informal processes
̶ Respond quickly to opportunities and threats (business agility)
̶ Introduce new creative ways of doing their job (innovation)
̶ Collect and aggregate the data they need to make operational decisions (insights)
̶ Interact with enterprise systems in a simplified, optimized, and personalized way (employee experience)

80 Source: CIO.com
 Since its founding, Microsoft has introduced products that
facilitate automation by business users

1980’s 1990’s 2000’s 2010’s 2020’s

81 Source: Tomasz Poszytek

 Low-code platforms are one of the latest tools that promise
app development by non-IT users

82 Source: Ralph Diaz, HFS; COBOL = Common Business Oriented Language, RAD = Rapid App. Dvlpmt, 4GLs= Fourth Gen Languages, UMLs = Unified Modeling Languages
 Benefits of Citizen Development
• Faster time to market: Business users can
create and deploy software solutions faster than
traditional development methods.
• Increased agility: Citizen development allows
business users to quickly respond to changing
business needs and requirements.
• Reduced costs: By leveraging existing business
resources, organizations can save money on
development costs
• Improved collaboration: Citizen development
can foster better collaboration between business
users and IT teams, leading to more efficient and
effective solutions
83
 Challenges Security and compliance risks
of Citizen Without proper training and guidance, business users may create
solutions that pose security risks or violate compliance regulations
Development
Quality control
Business users may not have the same level of expertise as
professional developers, which can lead to quality issues and
maintenance challenges

Limited scalability
Citizen-developed solutions may not be scalable or sustainable over
time, which can limit their usefulness and impact

Lack of governance
Without proper governance, the proliferation of citizen-developed
solutions can lead to fragmentation and duplication of effort

84
 Citizen developers are typically restricted to low complexity,
individually-focused applications

85 Source: Gartner; CRUD = Create, Retrieve, Update, Delete

 Adoption trends and best practices
• Low-code automation is becoming increasingly popular in large organizations due to the
demand for faster, more efficient business processes
• A recent Gartner survey showed that more than half of large companies (with 10,000+
employees) are already using low-code platforms or plan to do so in the next year
• Some best practices for adopting low-code automation in large organizations include:
― Starting small with a proof-of-concept project before scaling up to larger initiatives
― Choosing a low-code platform that aligns with the organization's technology stack and
security requirements
― Providing adequate training and support to citizen developers to ensure they can use the
platform effectively
― Establishing governance policies to ensure that citizen-developed applications meet the
organization's standards for security, compliance, and quality

86
 Initial set of steps in implementing citizen development

87 Source: Kissflow
 Low-code development is often associated with ‘Shadow IT’

88 Source: McKinsey
 With limited professional IT developers, organizations are
learning to tap into the large number of citizen developers

89 Source: Gartner
 Organizational challenges in adopting Low-Code
Despite the benefits of low-code automation, large organizations may face
challenges when adopting this approach. Some of these challenges include:
― Resistance to change: Some employees may be resistant to the idea of
citizen developers and may prefer to stick with traditional IT processes
― Lack of IT resources: IT departments may already be stretched thin, and
adding citizen developers to the mix may be seen as adding more work
― Security concerns: With more people involved in the development process,
there may be concerns around data privacy and security
― Lack of visibility and control: With citizen developers working on their own
projects, it can be difficult for IT departments to maintain visibility and control
over all applications being developed

90
 Digital capabilities increase in those organizations where IT
embraces low-code automation by citizen developers

91 Source: McKinsey
 Overcoming adoption challenges
To overcome low-code adoption challenges, organizations may need to:
― Communicate the benefits of low-code automation to all employees,
including IT staff and business users
― Provide adequate resources and support to citizen developers, including
training and access to IT support
― Establish governance policies and controls to ensure that all citizen-
developed applications meet the organization's standards for security and
compliance
― Invest in tools that can help IT departments monitor and manage citizen-
developed applications, such as centralized application management
platforms

92
 “Strong governance is the cornerstone of successful citizen
development, as it ensures that organizations can scale their digital
initiatives enterprise-wide while maintaining control and compliance.

By meticulously evaluating and choosing the best fit low-code platform,

organizations can unlock the power of citizen development while
reinforcing the crucial role governance plays in fueling sustainable,
secure growth.”

Neeraj Mathur
Director of Intelligent Automation
VMware

93 Source: CIO.com
 In leading organizations, citizen developers in the business
are supported by IT at each stage of the application build
process

94 Source: McKinsey
 Hundreds of organizations have embraced Citizen
Development by creating effective governance frameworks

95 Source: IDC 2022; n=289; *hackathons decreased significantly due to Covid-19

 Organizations that are advancing in automation often have a
citizen developer model to alleviate IT skill shortages
Adoption of a citizen developer model for building new automation products
(% of respondents)

96 Source: McKinsey Survey 2022; n= 154

 While a powerful
productivity tool, Citizen
Development has yet to
become a significant
force in most large
organizations

97
Q&A
Darshan Jain is Industry Practice Leader for the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sectors at Nintex. In this
role, Darshan uses his 30+ years of experience leading transformative change to help organizations navigate the intelligent
automation journey using Nintex’s digital process platform. Always looking for new and exciting ways to help clients improve
their operations game, Darshan has successfully delivered high-impact outcomes in several industries including banking,
insurance, asset management, telecom, retail, manufacturing, and commercial real estate. Darshan also teaches intelligent
automation at the University of Toronto and is a Board Advisor to technology startups. Darshan holds an MBA from McGill, a
Certificate in International Management from the Stockholm School of Economics, and a BSc from the University of Toronto.

Follow Darshan on LinkedIn for insightful commentary on emerging trends in automation, digital transformation, and AI.