A Illustrated Guide To: Fusion Development
Tags: beginners, powerfuldevs, azure, openapi
Published: 2021-07-20 14:24:31

---
title: A Illustrated Guide To: Fusion Development
published: true
description: An illustrated guide to Fusion Development using #OpenAPI, #PowerPlatform, #AzureFunctions technologies.
series: Azure Functions - OpenAPI and Power Platforms
tags: beginners, powerfuldevs, azure, openapi
cover_image: https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/uiuwlrl3m6ygheywqfhp.png

---

> TL;DR: Key resources for learning more!

* 👩🏽‍💻 [Explore the Fusion Development Learning Path](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/transform-business-applications-with-fusion-development/?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi)
* 👩🏽‍🏫 [Read the Fusion Development eBook](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/guidance/fusion-dev-ebook/?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi)
* 📺 [Watch Azure Functions Sessions On-Demand](https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Azure-Functions/Azure-Functions-Discover-OpenAPI-and-Power-Apps?WT.mc_ID=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi)
* 🗺 [Download a hi-res poster of the Illustrated Guide](https://aka.ms/visual/fusion-dev-path/illustrated)

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### **NEW**: [Explore the guide interactively](https://aka.ms/visual/fusion-dev-path/slides)
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This is a low-resolution image for the illustrated guide. Click on it to access the hi-res image -- or scroll down for a deep-dive into the illustrations.

[![An Illustrated Guide to Fusion Development: Shows a 25-cell 5x5 grid of images, each illustrating one unit or section of the Fusion Dev Learning Path ](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pm9ralwv9bccbfhnlpm1.png)](https://aka.ms/visual/fusion-dev-path/illustrated)

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## Background

Recently, a few colleagues of mine hosted an online event that explores the topics of [OpenAPI](https://www.openapis.org/), [Power Platforms](https://powerplatform.microsoft.com/en-us/?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-34311-ninarasi) and [Fusion Development](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/guidance/fusion-dev-ebook/01-what-is-fusion-dev-approach?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-34311-ninarasi) in a series of short, actionable talks. 

{% link https://dev.to/azure/azure-functions-discover-open-api-a-learning-event-1okh %}

Didn't get a chance to attend the live event? Or just want to revisit a specific session? We have you covered! All the session replays are now available [here on Ch9](https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Azure-Functions/Azure-Functions-Discover-OpenAPI-and-Power-Apps?WT.mc_ID=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi)!

![Image shows 6 speaker cards for the 6 sessions from the Azure Functions event, each linked to a video for replay](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4fl4i7wxnsoj9js5vfu4.png)

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## Learning Resources

The event was structured around the broader theme of _low-code development_ and _fusion teams_. Want to dive into details? Pick the path that suits your learning style:

 * 👩🏽‍💻 [The Fusion Development Learning Path](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/transform-business-applications-with-fusion-development/?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-34311-ninarasi) is ideal for kinesthetic learners who like to explore concepts step-by-step with hands-on exercises. 

 * 👩🏽‍🏫 [The Fusion Development eBook](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/guidance/fusion-dev-ebook/?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi) is ideal if you like to learn by reading books end-to-end. The eBook takes you from Fusion Development concepts, to code-based exploration of Power Apps. 

But if you're a visual or visual-spatial learner who likes to "see the big picture" before you dive into details - then this illustrated guide to Fusion Development is for you!

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## The Illustrated Guide 

The illustrated guide is part of my [SketchTheDocs](https://twitter.com/sketchthedocs) initiative to bring visual storytelling to tech. 65% of us are visual learners who absorb, retain, and recall, information better when we have visual cues and illustrations.

Scroll up to see a low-res (thumbnail) of the illustrated guide, or visit [this link](https://aka.ms/visual/fusion-dev-path/illustrated) to view or download a poster-sized version that is easier to read. Better still, install it as desktop wallpaper while you go through the learning path - and see if you can make or reinforce connections.

You can also visit this tweet for a 30-second timelapse that shows how the guide was created.

{% twitter 1415092751348211714 %}

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## Under The Hood 

I'm working on a blog post that I will link in later, that provides a deep dive into the individual cells. 

For now, let's look under the hood at a few visuals that showcase core themes:

### 1. Tech Intensity

Chance are you've heard Microsoft CEO (Satya Nadella) mention `Tech Intensity` more than once. But what does it mean? Here's an illustrated explainer of the concept. Digital transformation cannot succeed without three dimensions that building on each other: 
 * _technology adoption_ readiness for real-world use 
 * _organizational trust_ that technology is reliable
 * _individual capability_ to build & use technology

![Image visualizing the Tech Intensity lesson](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/rnwxk3brr6gjh89amup3.png)

Learn more [in this unit](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/transform-business-software-authoring-with-fusion-dev/2-tech-intensity?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi)



### 2. Fusion Development Process

Fusion Teams reflect our growing awareness that solving real-world business problems will require the skills of diverse teams (business devs, pro devs, citizen devs) _working together_.

A Fusion Development Process is about breaking the silos between teams, and providing tools and workflows that empower _all types of devs_ to build apps by contributing their expertise (where comfortable) and asking others for help (where they have skill gaps).

![Image visualizing the Fusion Development process](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/eia1ib5or0i8pbtk4dcx.png)

Learn more [in this unit](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/transform-business-software-authoring-with-fusion-dev/4-fusion-development-process?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi)




### 3. Low Code Development

While fusion development explores the human workflows required to build apps, the low code development focus is on _removing barriers_ that prevent different fusion team members from contributing to app development.

_High Code Apps_ reflect traditional notions of app development, with rich programming languages, frameworks and workflows, and more **imperative** approaches to development.

_Low Code Apps_ are about more action with _less code_, employing scripting languages, drag-and-drop UI wizards, and more **declarative** approaches to development.

![Image visualizing the meaning of Low Code Development](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/kjv7xx5o1u2dnpl72o7x.png)

Learn more [in this module](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/understanding-low-code-as-a-traditional-developer/?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi)

### 4. Power Apps Platform

Power Apps is [part of Microsoft's Power Platform](https://powerplatform.microsoft.com/en-us/power-apps/) suite of technologies supporting low-code development. Citizen developers can use this to rapidly prototype apps without requiring a programming background. Pro developers can enhance fusion team development by using platform tools to build web APIs, data connectors, and serverless integration support for their team-mates.

![Image visualizing Power Apps technology](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/o7tplcloiiw220is0zwv.png)

Learn more [in this unit](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/modules/understanding-low-code-as-a-traditional-developer/2-what-is-low-code?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi)

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### Summary & Next Steps

That was a rapid introduction to Fusion Development and related terms and technologies. I hope you found it fun **and** functional - and that it inspires you to want to learn more!

Here are some resources for next steps! Happy learning journeys!

* 👩🏽‍💻 [Explore the Fusion Development Learning Path](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/transform-business-applications-with-fusion-development/?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi)
* 👩🏽‍🏫 [Read the Fusion Development eBook](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powerapps/guidance/fusion-dev-ebook/?WT.mc_id=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi)
* 📺 [Watch Azure Functions Sessions On-Demand](https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Azure-Functions/Azure-Functions-Discover-OpenAPI-and-Power-Apps?WT.mc_ID=azurefunctionsonlearntv-35831-ninarasi)
* 🗺 [Download a hi-res poster of the Illustrated Guide](https://aka.ms/visual/fusion-dev-path/illustrated)

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