CTO’s Guide to Maximizing Low-Code/No-Code Potential
In recent years, low-code and no-code platforms have become go-to tools for businesses that want to fast-track innovation, work more efficiently, and put technology in everyone's hands.
These platforms offer unique opportunities for CTOs and other technology leaders, but they're not without their fair share of challenges (that require thoughtful navigation).
Two industry experts, Alan Jacobson, Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Alteryx, and JJ McGuigan, App Builder Product Manager at Infragistics, share their insights into the evolving role of low-code/no-code platforms in enterprise technology strategies.
The Promise of Low-Code/No-Code Solutions
According to Jacobson, low-code/no-code platforms enable organizations to reduce the barriers to application development, empowering knowledge workers across departments. “Nearly all knowledge workers need to work with data to derive insights and drive outcomes,” he explains. “Low-code/no-code solutions allow individuals of varying technical skill levels to contribute meaningfully to projects, turbocharging their capabilities without replacing IT.”
McGuigan echoes this sentiment, highlighting the productivity gains these tools bring. “In a 2024 survey by App Builder, 90.4% of respondents said that low-code tools boosted developer productivity in their organizations,” he says. By enabling technical and non-technical teams to build applications with minimal coding, businesses can significantly reduce development time and costs while accelerating time-to-market.
Jacobson elaborates, “Although low-code/no-code solutions promise great value, they are not entirely the answer. They should be seen as tools to enhance collaboration and efficiency, not replacements for IT delivery capabilities.”
Drive Efficiency and Collaboration
One of the primary benefits of low-code platforms is their ability to foster collaboration between IT teams and business users. “These platforms provide a shared environment where technical and non-technical individuals can collaborate on the same projects,” says Jacobson. This reduces the skills gap and promotes the democratization of data and tools.
McGuigan adds that low-code platforms streamline workflows and automate repetitive tasks, enhancing team productivity. “With features like drag-and-drop interfaces and built-in templates, teams can rapidly iterate, test, and deploy updates. This eliminates many manual aspects of development, from coding rules to managing scalability,” he explains.
Jacobson provides an example: “Imagine implementing an upgrade or new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. Without tools for collaboration, validation processes can become long and arduous. Low-code/no-code platforms allow closer collaboration between departments, reducing these inefficiencies.”
Challenges to Overcome
While low-code/no-code platforms promise significant benefits, they are not without challenges. Both Jacobson and McGuigan stress the importance of governance in ensuring successful implementation. “Without clear governance, these platforms can lead to fragmented systems and scalability issues,” cautions McGuigan. “CTOs must implement frameworks for access control, compliance, and oversight to mitigate risks.”
Jacobson highlights concerns about data governance. “When anyone in the organization can analyze data, it’s possible to arrive at different answers to the same question. Developing a robust data governance framework is critical to addressing these inconsistencies,” he advises. “Though the reality is that in many cases, the reason for different answers lies in the ambiguity of the question itself.”
Choose the Right Solution
Selecting the right low-code/no-code platform is pivotal to success. Jacobson advises technology leaders to look for solutions that cater to a broad range of users, integrate seamlessly with existing systems, and offer deployment flexibility. “The best platforms support both knowledge workers and IT, enabling collaboration across domains,” he says. “They should also connect to data in all formats used within the business and integrate with major systems.”
McGuigan emphasizes the importance of aligning platform capabilities with organizational goals. “CTOs need to ensure that the platform aligns with compliance requirements and offers tools for logging, audit trails, and data encryption,” he notes. By addressing these factors, organizations can reap the benefits of low-code development while minimizing risks.
Jacobson adds, “Experienced users collaborating with non-technical individuals on the same platform allows for more effective processes and reduces the skills gap.”
The Bottom Line
Low-code/no-code platforms have transformed how organizations approach application development and innovation. “These tools democratize software development, empower teams, and drive analytic maturity,” says Jacobson. “Organizations that invest in training and education can unlock significant ROI by enabling faster, more efficient development processes.”
McGuigan concurs, adding that with the right strategy, low-code platforms can be a game-changer. “When used strategically, they enhance IT productivity, improve business agility, and foster innovation,” he concludes.
By balancing rapid innovation with robust governance, CTOs can harness the full potential of low-code/no-code platforms, enabling their organizations to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.
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