#LowCodeProCodeUnite - Why Pro Code and Low Code Developers Need Each Other
**All opinions are my own**
There has been some interesting discussion going on about the future of pro-developers and Dynamics 365 veterans Natraj, Jukka and Alex Shiga have put together their thoughts about this topic. . I thought I would share my perspective on the impact of low code platform to both technical, functional and business folks as a consultant who comes from non-technical background.
I have been implementing CRM/Dynamics 365/Power Platform for over 10 years. Day to day I run workshops, put requirements together, translate them into technical requirements and configurations. I never wrote a plugin or custom workflow in my career. In short, I am limited to what I can do to extend the application without the help of developers.
Then came The Power Platform...
When I started Power Apps, I built a camera app in 2 hours (it doesn't take that long but it was my first time using Power Apps). Maybe to some technical folks, building an app is simple. But for someone like me who doesn't code, to be able to build an app and use it on my mobile is a huge achievement. I have always wish I can build an app and now I CAN build an app! Then Microsoft introduced the Embedded Power Apps and Connectors and I start to see the possibility of extending Dynamics 365 apps without writing codes. That's when I fall in love, heads over heels with Power Apps and became an advocate for low code platform.
Now with the introduction of Power Platform also comes the birth of low code and citizen developers which then opens up a debate on Pro Code vs Low Code Developers. One of the big question that is going around is if there is still a need for Power Platform/Dynamics developers? Well, I strongly believe that there is ALWAYS a need for Power Platform/Dynamics developers. However I do agree with Natraj that developers need to specialise in different areas like PCF, Azure etc but that is also same with us, non technical folks We need to evolve to become low code developers. From just configuring Dynamics 365 app using mainly the drag and drop method , we now need to know Power FX, json, expressions and improvised our logical thinking to build solutions using the Power Platform.
I think having pro code and low code/citizen developers are essential in projects and organisation By having low code devs , Dynamics 365 developers are able to focus on more complex part of the development and expand their expertise in other tools outside the Dynamics stack. Through Power Platform training and IT governance in place, citizen developers can build simple business applications according to their needs so the IT team can focus on innovation and high code projects.
Power Platform has changed many lives. The pandemic has triggered many businesses to turn to the low code platform to quickly build applications to connect with user and customers as most employees moved to working from home. This has created millions of new jobs in the industry giving opportunity to people who lost their job a chance to start a new career in IT. We have also heard inspiring stories where non-IT people like Samit Saini, Brian Dang, Ashlee Culmsee and Lisa Crosbie who have built a successful career around Power Platform. and business users who build apps to empower their organisations like Lauren Taylor and James Matson. Over the last year, because of initiatives like PowerApps4Kids, more and more kids started learning the platform and build Power Apps. Zara and Zenubia Khan,10 years old twins from Pakistan are the youngest Microsoft’s Power Platform Certified professionals at the age of 10. These kids are have proven that a person do not need IT knowledge to build Power Apps.
Now what about pro devs you ask? Power Platform have given opportunities for Dynamics 365 developers to be creative and explore other advanced tools. Some developers have built really amazing stuff using PCF and this has revolutionised Dynamics 365 development. There are now lots of reusable components that non coders like me can download and use in Dynamics 365 apps. Some developers have moved into a more hybrid role as well. Building low code applications with high code knowledge is a HUGE advantage because then the sky is the limit. You can build advanced and complex application with a lesser amount of time.
In conclusion, pro dev and low code dev needs to co-exist. Power Platform is not the only low code development platform in the market and it looks like low code is here to stay so let's make peace, embrace the change and enjoy its benefits. #procodelowcodeunite
Other related articles
Jukka Niiranen - Democratizing code - Jukka Niiranen
Natraj Yegnaraman - Future of developers in Power Platform | Dreaming in CRM & Power Platform
Alex Shlega - Power Platform Developers – what does the future hold? | It Ain't Boring (itaintboring.com)
Inspiring Stories on Power Platform:
Stories of Power Apps Champions : Meet the Power Apps Champions | Microsoft Power Apps
Samit Saini - (1) Samit Saini's PowerApps journey at Heathrow - YouTube
Lauren Taylor - School principal builds PowerApps solutions for teachers and students - YouTube
Ashlee Culmsee - My Journey — Ash Culmsee
Zara n Zenubia Khan - Zara & Zenubia – Microsoft Power Platform Certified Twins | Women of Wonders Pakistan (WOWPK) (womenofwonderspk.com)
Great post 👾Ee Lane Yu Veterans, eh? Have to say I only got just over 10 years myself :) In the end whether it's a Power FX formula, a Power Automate flow, a PCF component, or a plugin - that's all development, of course. It's just that "pro" developers are specializing in the pro code tools, and, as much as we may need those folks to do "pro" development for Power Platform every now and then, there is probably not enough variety of pro development activities in Power Platform for them to keep exercising and growing their skills. So, as a career choice, Power Platform may not be attractive enough for them, which is why we may not have enough of those folks around. It's the rules of supply and demand in action. However, to become a good/expert "Citizen Developer", one must go over a lot of learning / and (self) training, just not with the same tools. But, given that Citizen Developers actually have an edge over pro developers in terms of who is needed "daily" in Power Platform, we are probably going to see more and more people picking up citizen development skills:)
Great post 👾Ee Lane Yu. I agree with most of your post - except the part where you call me a veteran. I am still learning and finding new things to fail at. 🤣
thanks 👾Ee Lane Yu for sharing your thoughts. In my opinion if there is something to blame is only how the message "Less Code More Power" was delivered by Microsoft 🙂 (and not the message itself). If someone writes a Power Fx piece inside a Canvas App for me it's a developer, Jukka Niiranen can write that he doesn't code but I can bet he created some complex Flows 😉 and in the end it's the same as a developer for me. Microsoft liked to push the concepts of "citizen developers", "low-code developers" or "pro developers" but why do I need to differentiate people based on these categories? This separation did not come from the community. Power Platform is very big and each of us know different pieces but we respect each other, and I totally understand why 🔋Natraj Yegnaraman wrote his post. The sadness created by this useless division affects people that truly cares about Power Platform (maybe because they like it or because they are involved in this stack from several years), definitely doesn't affect people that one day promote the Power Platform as the best thing in the world and the day after says the exact opposite.
🔋Natraj Yegnaraman seems to be inspiring a lot of folks lately