Remove IT Bottlenecks — Embrace the Citizen Development Era
- Josh Marek, HBS Data and AI Practice Manager
- Updated: Aug. 7, 2025
IT backlogs aren’t getting any shorter. Demand for apps, dashboards, and automations continues to rise. But IT teams can only do so much.
So, what if your team didn’t have to wait?
That’s the promise of Citizen Development—a movement that’s giving everyday employees the tools to build their own solutions using low-code, no-code, and now AI.
What Is a Citizen Developer?
A Citizen Developer is someone who builds applications or automates tasks using platforms like Microsoft Power Apps, Power Automate or Power BI—without needing a background in coding or IT.
They’re your project managers, finance pros, HR analysts—people who know the process, understand the data, and just need the right tools to make things work better.
And now, with AI tools like Microsoft Copilot in the mix, even that learning curve is shrinking.
How Citizen Developers Use Low-Code and No-Code Tools
Low-code and no-code platforms are built for speed and simplicity. Instead of writing code line by line, Citizen Developers use visual tools, drag-and-drop components, and templates to quickly build apps and automate workflows.
These tools are already available in Microsoft 365, and they’re getting smarter every day. With Copilot, users can describe what they need in natural language, and the AI helps generate an app or automation on the spot.
Need an approval workflow? A dashboard? A task tracker that connects to SharePoint? Copilot can help you build the base—and let you refine it from there.
Benefits of Citizen Development for Your Organization
Letting business users build their own solutions doesn’t just ease pressure on IT—it unlocks new levels of productivity and innovation across the board.
- Faster delivery: Get from idea to solution without waiting on a dev cycle
- Cost savings: Reduce the need for custom dev or external contractors
- Employee empowerment: Encourage initiative and ownership
- Tailored solutions: Solve problems with tools made by the people facing them
With the right support, Citizen Development becomes a force multiplier.
Risks and Governance Considerations for Citizen Developers
Of course, it’s not a free-for-all. Like anything in tech, Citizen Development needs structure.
When employees are building their own apps, it’s critical to have the right guardrails in place:
- Security: Ensure access controls, data protection and compliance are maintained
- Visibility: Know what’s being built and where it lives
- Support: Offer best practices, templates and guidance so users don’t hit a wall
- Governance: Establish a clear process for reviewing, maintaining and retiring apps
Try to think of IT not as the gatekeeper—but as the coach and support system that helps Citizen Developers succeed.
The Role of AI in the Future of Citizen Development
AI is rapidly accelerating this shift. Copilot tools embedded in Microsoft 365 are making app-building even more accessible, helping users:
- Create apps and workflows from scratch using plain language
- Automatically connect data across Microsoft tools
- Build smarter, faster and with less trial and error
According to Gartner, three-quarters of all apps will be built with low-code tools by 2026, many by people outside of IT.
Citizen Developers + AI = serious business value.
Ready to Embrace Citizen Development?
Organizations that lean into Citizen Development now will be better positioned to innovate, adapt, and grow—without overloading IT.
If you’re ready to unlock the potential of your people while maintaining control, HBS can help you set the right foundation. We’ll work with you to:
- Empower users with the right tools
- Set up smart governance and security
- Integrate with your broader IT strategy
Together, we can pioneer the future, one solution at a time. Reach out to HBS today.
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