How to accelerate innovation through low code development?

The world has seen a lot of advancements and the word "low-code" has gradually entered into the business world in the last decade offering undeniable benefits to organizations via efficiency and speed as regards software developments. Businesses are opting into the world of innovation using low code and it is giving them an edge and a competitive advantage. Due to the benefits radiated by low code development, many companies are spending heavily on low code to broaden their innovations and widen their global IT trends. A Forrester research stated that companies will spend up to $21.2 billion by the end of 2022 with a 40% annual growth rate.

What is low code development?

Low code development involves a developer creating innovations and software with minimal programming efforts using software that can be easily configured and customized. The process still requires programming knowledge and experience for the implementation of software features. This means anyone can create an application using a simple graphical interface or declarative programming interface with business logic, input, and output. This approach allows developers and businesses to build and test applications faster and more efficiently.

When can low code be used?

Low code development comes in handy for non-technical members of your staff force who have a better grasp of business context and business logic and can drive innovation. A solution can kick-start with business logic and then be transferred to the IT department for further improvement. This removes the burden of getting the services of external or third-party companies or service providers if the organization doesn't have in-house IT capabilities.

In essence, low code becomes essential in the following scenarios:

• When there is a need for operational efficiency improvements, automation of paper-based or manual procedures in a bid to increase quality and accuracy while reducing cost.

• When the need for innovation, prototyping, and a paradigm shift is required by the organization.

• When the need arises to integrate different business components tactically.

Considerations for accelerating innovations using low code in your organization

There are certain things you must consider to successfully apply low code to your business to result in success.

Institute business value-add that can be linked to your business goals

Before considering implementing any form of low code development structure within your organization, you must understand the value that the low code will bring to the organization and how it links to the goals. This is referred to as the discovery stage and it is also vital in determining if you even need low code development.

Understanding how low code can be helpful to your organization is solely dependent on the goals, objectives, capabilities, and architecture of your organization.

Have the right architecture in place

The right architecture will be a key player when introducing low code to your organization. Ensure that the appropriate architecture is on the ground to help facilitate the introduction of the low code development solution to the business. At this point, you'd want to separate the technical from the non-technical members of staff as regards system architecture and IT infrastructure. The IT-related staff members can now focus on the technical aspect of low code while the non-technical members of staff can focus on the business logic aspect of low code development solutions.

Adopt an agile approach to introducing a low-code platform

If there already exists an IT capable structure, introducing low code shouldn't be carried out in a way that disrupts the framework of delivery. This simply means that the principles, structures, and processes will still be maintained while development speed will now become faster with the introduction of low code. Although the need for small adjustments may arise, this should be geared towards improving the overall process.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that the entry of low code into the business space has spurred innovation and businesses that are not in tune with this innovative turn of technological events might end up as laggards in releasing new versions of software and losing it to the competition.

The benefits of low code to businesses are numerous including:

• Decrease in operational and development cost

• Improvement in agility

• Better customer experience

• Higher business productivity

• More effective management of risk

• Faster transformation

At the end of the day, low-code platforms provide the best way for managers, developers, designers, and thought leaders to build and test new ideas at a faster pace which in turn accelerates innovation across organizations for their customers.