Breaking the deadlock for low-code - Part-4 The way to successful usage of low-code software
Tags: lowcode, citizendevelopment, lcap
Published: 2022-04-18 12:48:03

Looking at the industry trends, it is fair to say the demand for Low-Code is growing faster than ever however, [Developing the low-code ecosystem is crucial for a successful adaption](https://dev.to/swatantra/breaking-the-deadlock-for-low-code-part-3-developing-the-low-code-ecosystem-is-crucial-for-a-successful-adaption-4p42). There are many indicators that the demand for low-code developers outnumbers the talent in the local market. With the increasing number of clients in the Dutch market, only a few developers per company are available. This equation is not effective and time and again leads to low-quality applications.

So, what is the way forward?
- Use low-code if you use it in a strategic way. It is okay to do a small pilot but do not get stuck in the middle with only a few apps in your kitty. This may end up being expensive and ineffective. To break even at the operating level and get the most return on investment, clients have to adopt the platform strategically and with a clear vision. KPMG recommends the ( [Kuma19]) 5-step low-code journey Discover – Vision – Sketch & Mobilize – Launch & Realize – Scale & Improve to reap the benefits. Get yourself partnered with a registered and strong low-code partner. The partners come with a broad array of experiences, industry expertise and exclusive access to the resources helping you achieve business results.

- Do not allow the business to buy too much other candy in the software candy store. Fragmented use of the platform is detrimental. Many efficiencies can be reached by embedding the low-code platform in the overall platform architecture. Use the platform to a maximum in order to keep the overall application landscape maintainable. Otherwise, low-code will die in your software factory as just another toolkit.

- Establish cross-functional agile teams and use a smart co-sourcing model with a few experienced registered partners to staff the agile development teams. The cross-functional teams are self-sufficient and should understand the existing application landscape and have experienced business analysts. Co-sourcing will help accelerate the internal staff’s abilty to use the platform. Scale the team and the low-code digital factory with internal staff as the low-code application landscape grows.

- To scale up the low-code factory, it is advised to create a competence center (also known as a “Digital Factory”. The digital factory is a whole new way of working, with new integrated solutions, increased agility and cross-functional teams. The Digital Factory acts as a counter for the business where they get support in implementing digital use cases.  Eventually, the factory will have implemented many small and medium use cases and will have the experience to speed-up any following use case.  Establish the control framework in the digital factory to ensure the quality measures of software development are guarded. This will ensure the output of the factory is predictable.

- Equip the team with the standard processes and promote best practices within your low-code digital factory. It lays the foundation and gives the right direction to the team. Pay attention to the architecture to avoid the spaghetti situation. If the team is working under well-defined architecture, the technical debt will be kept under control. To remain relevant and flexible, introduce modularity in the architecture.

- On the other hand, low-code providers and vendors should invest more in promoting opportunities for acquiring the skills. Bring the right partner, developer advocate to grow in the market. Make a sustainable ecosystem which attracts and encourages talent, give them a future-proof career. Give them reasons to be enthusiastic, so that the platform providers can fill the talent gap. Help the developer community to thrive so that they remain active and relevant.

**In conclusion**
Disruption is a fact of today’s fast changing business environment and no organization is immune in that respect. Organizations need to be able to respond to disruption. Low-code comes to the rescue and can be a serious accelerator. Low-code products are mature and capable of fulfilling the need, provided it is done in the right way.

Doing it right means doing it consistently and strategically. For example by establishing a Digital Factory that uses the platform to its maximum to support businesses to a fast implementation of digital needs. These can be small innovative apps, apps to generate operational effectiveness and customer facing apps. The factory can also be a step-up to replace legacy systems. The digital factory is ideally sourced with internal staff that understand the business and existing application landscape and have a long-term view on the digital goals. Often the digital factory is supported by experienced partners in a co-sourcing model. We do observe the risk of a shortage of skilled developers and a shortage of large solution partners. To gain trust and build a strong foundation for the low-code ecosystem, a herd of solid IT service and consulting firms with the dedicated low-code practice must be present in the market. Skilled low-code champions along with a strong community should also be available in the market. Low-code platform providers have to work towards building a sustainable ecosystem, as they are the essential building block.
We spoke to organizations who went for the low-code journey. The ones who were involved non-stop in that process, the ones with a vision and the ones armed with a right registered low-code partner to back the strategy and fill the skill gap, had the least problems and were the most positive. An experienced low-code partner enables your organization to speed up the time-to-market and thereby gain a competitive advantage with its strategy and broad experience on the platform. We can help you with your low-code journey. We recognize ourselves very much in the story of Do it right or don’t do it at all.

[Kuma19] Kumar, S., Brouwer, A. & Tiemens, S. (2019, October 3). Low-Code: Empower the capability to accelerate. Compact 2019/3. Retrieved from: https://www.compact.nl/en/articles/low-code-empower-the-capability-to-accelerate/