In the last couple of weeks I have been playing with AppSheet, a ‘low code’ platform. This was driven by a desire to tinker and to determine if this platform could enable a client’s use case. The client, a non-technical business owner who wants to further digitally transform their business, but is constrained by limited financial resources and a lack of experience in software development.
Playing around in this space forced me to re-examine the key players – a list of which can be seen here. Due to growing popularity, these tools are now more than ever in the consciousness of business stakeholders. With some, espousing that these are the answer to their IT development woes, envisioning a future where each employee is a ‘citizen developer’ – more on them later.
Given the mixture of potential use cases, with large firms struggling to keep up with development demand whilst maintaining existing IT infrastructure, or medium sized firms and start ups who are keen to leverage a competitive advantage from these tools, I thought I would share my findings and thoughts on the subject.
What’s all the fuss about?
These platforms are feature rich, enabling those who have some knowledge of software development the ability to create a basic applications, quickly.
This is due to preconfigured modules of code which users can either drag and drop using a workflow process map, or manipulate as objects, on screen. This approach has its foundations in the Modular Programming (established in the 1960’s) and Object-oriented Programming schools of thought. A tangible example of this, are the drag and drop components and containers present in an array of website builders for some time now. The difference is that these tools are focused towards developing business applications (apps).
Depending on the platform, they support both mobile, desktop and tablet development. The majority of which provide on screen emulators, enabling users to view real time updates to the front end.
AppSheet has the ability of spinning up front end UI’s based on data held in Excel or Google Sheets. There is also a very cool feature, where you state your user stories and relationships between tables, and the application then creates a backend data model and front end UI. Though I haven’t yet played with it, AppSheet also offers the ability to embed basic machine learning (Artificial Intelligence) into the solution, enabling autocomplete in search boxes or populating values into fields.
This can empower employees, taking an initial idea to a proof of concept/prototype in a relatively short space of time. Which, coupled with technical knowledge, can then be scaled.
Citizen developers
A phrase which appears to be wedded to the low code scene is ‘citizen developer’. For me this instantly qualifies to join the list of phrases applicable for ‘bullshit bingo’*.
Putting my dislike of the phrase to one side, my key objection is that it is misleads users as to capabillity of these tools. The intended implication is that they are so well configured and intuitive, that you do not need computer science knowledge to build an app. This is not strictly the case.
Yes, with limited knowledge you can create a basic mobile app to capture data via a form. Though, in order to develop an app with multiple user profiles, create dashboards, or map relationships in the data model, users will have to invest time in learning the platforms and some computer science basics.
The reality is that you will need to invest in staff training to realise the key functionality of these platforms. So the expectation that the majority of your workforce will be able to make a standalone business app, is misleading.
Training and Support
Therefore, key to each platform’s success, outside of its features and UI, is the training and support model for novice developers. To date I have developed basic apps on Mendix and AppSheet.
Mendix has a training academy with dedicated pathways based on your experience level. These are comprehensive and well structured, though they are not quick. I spent over a week learning the application in order to build a beginner app.
Early modules of the training are conducted in a web based editor. Though in order to complete the app you must download a desktop development environment. Here, I found that things get technical quickly. Encountering issues with bugs in the training to which the support forums were of limited help. It is only with some previously acquired technical knowledge and perseverance, that I was able complete the application. There are lots of business users who at this point will lose interest.
For AppSheet, which I feel has a more intuitive UI to develop in, the training in comparison is pretty poor. AppSheet, prior to being acquired by Google, provide weekly YouTube videos to answer questions. There are also developer’s forums and a help section.
These are ok, but as the intended user has limited to no IT knowledge, then these resources are not user friendly. For example their YouTube videos generally last well over an hour and make searching and accessing relevant information awkward. There are other content creators who post more structured training on YouTube, AppSheet Training being the best that I have found to date. This product, however, could be improved by providing a coherent pathway for novices.
Just more shadow IT?
There will be IT managers who will view these tools as another subset of shadow IT. This requires them to support indirectly and continue the ongoing game of ‘whack-a-mole’ – replacing over time a myriad of apps built on different platforms with overlapping use cases.
For those of that mindset, these tools can be a valuable addition to your development armoury. Remember, it’s all about providing value. Generally, when asking stakeholders what provides the greatest amount of value, they either struggle to communicate it, or provide a barrage of contradictory terms and conflicting requirements.
In this scenario, it’s common for an IT representative to structure an approach to elicit a consistent response. This can easily result in frustrated stakeholders due to a perception of inaction. Hence, these tools can help break this deadlock, by facilitating the creation of tangible prototypes. This can then be scaled using cloud or on premises resources. Hence, they have a place in a software development continuum, spanning proof of concepts through to full blow enterprise applications.
In a workshop setting, combining the relevant stakeholders and technical skills, low code tools will enable the creation of tangible applications, not documentation, in days, if not hours. This can then be deployed to capture feedback, informing future development. This helps IT to break down barriers with business stakeholders, mitigating the risk of them going it alone.
Verdict
For those who don’t have a technical background and feel that their IT department provides minimal value, low code tools definitely reduce the barriers to building apps quickly. However, don’t get seduced by the hype. They are not the ‘secret sauce’ to instantaneously making an organisation Agile. In order to get the best out of them, you will need to either invest in training, or hire relevant resources. You will also need to partner with your IT Department to ensure that what you do build can then be supported and scaled, once it becomes a hit to emailing spreadsheets.
For the IT professionals reading this, I would recommend taking a proactive approach when it comes to low code. These tools, if not already, will end up permeating your business. So rather than resisting, pick a platform and set up some hackathon workshops. Yes, even though this will require a concerted and continuing effort in stakeholder managment, the alternative is back to playing ‘whack-a-mole’.
Medium sized firms and start ups, have a play. There is some great functionality, though utilising it is dependent on how willing you are to learn the platforms. There are consultancies as well as freelance developers who will be able to leverage these tools on your behalf. Depending on your tool of choice, you may have to shop around to find the rights skills at the desired price point.
If you are unsure of what platform is best to meet your use case, or how best to adopt a low code solution, please feel free to contact me for a free consultation.
*yes, I am aware that management and IT have made a considerable contribution to this list already.