The Rise of Citizen Development and Its Impact on Organizations

Citizen development is on the rise, enabled by increasingly user-friendly AI tools that allow non-tech employees to design and deploy their own applications and workflows. This democratisation of technology has led to greater efficiency and productivity, with examples like a Home Depot employee automating spreadsheet work and saving weeks of time. Companies like Lego and BMW have embraced citizen development, training thousands of employees in these approaches. While there are concerns about quality control and reliance on non-professional developers, organizations can establish oversight mechanisms, such as a central review hub and training programs, to ensure the success of citizen development initiatives.