How Citizen Developers Are Transforming IT Departments

Citizen development empowers employees who are not IT-trained to become software developers. They use NoCode/LowCode (LCNC) platforms that allow them to create business applications. This method of software development allows employees to become citizen developers, despite not having a formal education.

In this context, AI tools like Cursor and Replit have emerged as pivotal resources for citizen developers, significantly transforming the landscape of software development. These tools are designed to streamline coding tasks, enhance productivity, and make software development more accessible.

Cursor is an AI-enabled code editor that enhances development speed and quality. Built on top of Visual Studio Code (VS Code), it integrates seamlessly into the workflows of developers familiar with VS Code[1]. Cursor's standout features include smart code completion, context-aware chat, AI-powered editing, and a comprehensive understanding of the codebase[9]. It excels in tasks such as writing and improving unit tests, suggesting test cases, and identifying areas needing better test coverage[10]. Cursor's AI-driven functionalities reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks, allowing developers to focus on more complex aspects of their projects. The editor is particularly beneficial for experienced developers seeking to improve their productivity[1]. Moreover, it offers a range of subscription tiers, including a free Hobby tier with limited features, a Pro tier at $20/month with expanded capabilities, and a Business tier at $40/user/month for advanced features and team management[10].

Replit, an online integrated development environment (IDE), offers a cohesive system that integrates all its tools, providing a one-stop-shop solution for developers. Founded in 2016, Replit has a user-friendly interface that guides the coding process, making it particularly appealing for beginners or those working on smaller, Python-based projects[11][12]. Its state-of-the-art language model is trained on over 15 of the top programming languages, allowing users to create and deploy websites, automations, internal tools, and more in any programming language without setup, downloads, or extra tools[13]. One of Replit’s key features is its seamless deployment capability, offering quick one-click deployment that expedites the transition from code to production[11]. This capability is particularly advantageous for developers looking to rapidly prototype and deploy their applications. However, Replit's limited framework support could be a deal-breaker for more seasoned developers who require a broader range of frameworks and more customization options[11].

AI-powered low-code/no-code platforms, such as those provided by Cursor and Replit, are revolutionizing how citizen developers build applications. These tools leverage machine learning algorithms to optimize workflows, anticipate user needs, and provide personalized recommendations and assistance, making the development process more intuitive and adaptive[3]. For instance, Cursor can analyze a codebase, suggest improvements, and even automate the execution of tests, significantly reducing the manual effort required in software development[14]. Furthermore, these platforms allow citizen developers to see everything on the screen in plain English, with AI tools writing the underlying code for them as they assemble applications[15]. This not only makes the development process more accessible but also empowers non-developers to create sophisticated software solutions.

Changing Roles and Responsibilities

Historically, IT was responsible for end-to-end software development, from gathering requirements to deployment. Today, IT departments are more and more facing the task of enabling and govern citizen development, where non-technical business users can create their own applications using AI powered low-code/no-code platforms.

Key Role Changes for IT departments:

• Providing secure access to low-code/no-code platforms and tools: IT’s role now involves selecting and managing the access to platform like Cursor or Replit.
• Setting governance frameworks: IT is no longer just a software developer but a governance authority. The governance frameworks include ensuring security, data privacy, and compliance while offering enough flexibility for business users to innovate.
• Offering training and support: Instead of just focusing on technical support, IT departments are now investing in upskilling employees by offering training on how to effectively use these platforms, ensuring that business users can create robust applications.

Key Changes for Business Users:

The democratization of application development means that non-technical employees are now empowered to create applications tailored to their department’s needs. By using intuitive drag-and-drop tools and pre-built templates, employees in departments such as marketing, HR, or operations can develop their own solutions. This significantly reduces their reliance on IT, speeding up project timelines and increasing agility.

• Reduced dependency on IT: Business users no longer need to wait for IT to prioritize their requests in development backlogs. They can build quick prototypes and even production-level applications independently.
• Improved collaboration between IT and business: Since IT is now focused on governance and integration, they work more closely with business units to ensure that these self-developed applications align with the broader enterprise architecture and compliance requirements.
• Faster innovation: By empowering business users to develop apps, companies can rapidly prototype and deploy new solutions, responding quickly to changing market conditions or internal needs.

IT’s Focus on Compliance and Integration

As business users increasingly build their own applications, integration with existing enterprise systems becomes a primary responsibility for IT. IT teams need to ensure that these citizen-developed apps don’t introduce security risks or compliance issues. This includes:

• Monitoring data security: Ensuring that data flowing between business-built apps and enterprise systems is secure and compliant with regulatory frameworks.
• Maintaining system integrity: IT must ensure that applications created by non-technical users don’t compromise system performance or introduce vulnerabilities into the broader IT ecosystem.
• Creating reusable components: IT departments often create standardized components (e.g., APIs, connectors) that business users can leverage in their apps to ensure smooth integration with backend systems like CRM, ERP, or cloud services.

The Future of IT departments

Going forward, IT’s role will be more of a strategic partner to the business, focusing on governance, security, and compliance, while business users take on a more active role in innovation through citizen development. The success of this new model depends on how well IT can enable non-technical users while ensuring that governance frameworks are followed.

In conclusion, the shift from IT as the sole creator to enablers and governors of software development opens new avenues for innovation, speed, and efficiency within organizations. However, it also comes with the responsibility of maintaining security, compliance, and integration standards, ensuring that citizen development initiatives complement rather than compromise IT systems.