Citizen Development and Governance

Learn about the features in low-code/no-code platforms that ensure governed citizen development.

Team Kissflow

Updated on 22 Jul 2024 • 1 min read

As organizations embrace citizen development to drive innovation and efficiency, questions arise about governance and compliance.

How can IT leaders ensure citizen development initiatives align with organizational standards and regulatory requirements?

This chapter covers essential governance policies and clears up misconceptions about citizen development, helping you navigate this evolving field effectively.

1. What governance policies are needed to oversee citizen development initiatives in your organization?

Governance policies for citizen development initiatives enforce compliance with organizational standards using features like role-based access control, version control, and audit trails in the low-code or no-code platform. Additionally, adherence to regulatory standards like ISO/IEC 27001, GOPR, GDPR, AICPA 503, SOC 1, AICHA SO, SOC 2, CCPA, CCPA, SSL, HIPAA, AICPA, SOG, and SOC 3 is essential.

2. How does the low-code platform support features to ensure governed citizen development?

App monitoring: Oversight of application performance for seamless operations and heightened security.
User activity tracking: Observing user behavior to detect and address suspicious activities.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Management of app and data access by assigning users to specific roles.
Audit trail: Detailed logging of all actions and events within the system for accountability and compliance.
Data access policies: Granular access controls to restrict data exposure to authorized apps.

Why should citizen developers be governed?

Read here

3. What are some of the misconceptions of citizen development?

Misconceptions often arise from misunderstandings about citizen development's capabilities, governance, and implications.

Misconception	Clarification
Citizen development is a replacement for professional software development.	Citizen development is not intended to replace professional software development but complement it by empowering non-technical users.
Citizen development leads to shadow IT.	Citizen development initiatives operate within established guidelines and do not contribute to shadow IT when properly governed.
Citizen development only supports simple applications.	While CD is well-suited for simpler applications, modern low-code platforms can also handle moderately complex use cases.
Citizen development lacks security and compliance controls.	Citizen development platforms can enforce security and compliance measures comparable to traditional IT with proper governance and oversight.
Citizen development negatively impacts the IT department.	Citizen development can alleviate the burden on IT by empowering business users to address their needs, freeing up IT resources.
Citizen development does not align with organizational goals.	Citizen development can enhance agility, innovation, and digital transformation within organizations when aligned with strategic objectives.