Citizen development, and more largely low-code development, are a relatively new way of bringing IT specialists and core-business specialists face to face. Together they devise and develop solutions that simplify the everyday work life of employees. The low-threshold structure of this approach results in a variety of advantages for the business – from reducing IT burden to increasing employee experience and efficiency. But, how to build a successful Citizen Development program? With the right tool, like ServiceNow, it doesn’t have to be hard.
Step by step
Building a successful Citizen Development program involves careful planning, collaboration, and a focus on empowering individuals within your organisation to create their own solutions. Here are some steps to help you establish a successful program:
- Define the objectives & key stakeholders – Determine the goals and objectives of your Citizen Development Program. Identify the key stakeholders within your organisation who will be involved in or affected by the program and collaborate with them to understand their needs and expectations.
- Establish guidelines and policies – Develop clear guidelines and policies that define the boundaries and expectations for citizen developers. This includes standards for data security, privacy, compliance, and governance. Create a framework that ensures citizen-developed solutions align with organisational standards, e.g. with App Engine Management Center from ServiceNow.
- Provide training and support: Offer comprehensive training programs to equip citizen developers with the necessary skills and knowledge. This can include workshops, online courses, mentoring, and access to learning resources. Provide ongoing support through a community platform or help desk where developers can ask questions and share best practices.
- Enable access to development tools and platforms: Provide citizen developers with the necessary development tools, platforms, and resources to build applications and solutions. This may involve low-code or no-code platforms that allow for rapid application development without extensive coding knowledge, e.g. ServiceNow App Engine.
- Establish a feedback loop: Create a feedback loop where citizen developers can provide feedback on the program, share their challenges, and suggest improvements. Act on this feedback to continuously enhance the program and address any roadblocks or concerns.
- Promote visibility and recognition: Recognise and celebrate the achievements of citizen developers within your organisation. Showcase successful projects and highlight the value they bring to the organisation. This helps to build a culture of innovation and encourages others to participate.
- Measure and evaluate success: Define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of your Citizen Development Program. This could include metrics such as the number of citizen-developed applications, user satisfaction, cost savings, and time-to-market. Regularly evaluate the program’s effectiveness and adjust your approach as needed.
By following these steps, you can build a successful Citizen Development Program with the ServiceNow platform that empowers individuals, fosters innovation, and drives value for your organisation.
Do you have any questions or need help with starting out? Contact our team of experts.
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