What are the risks of letting business users build their own apps ?

While citizen development offers numerous benefits, there are potential risks if not managed properly:  

• Shadow IT: Uncontrolled proliferation of applications outside IT's purview, leading to governance issues.
• Security Vulnerabilities: Apps built without proper security considerations could expose sensitive data.
• Data Silos and Inconsistencies: Disconnected applications can lead to fragmented data and a lack of a single source of truth.
• Lack of Scalability: Apps might not be built with future growth or increased usage in mind.
• Maintenance and Support Challenges: Apps built by individual users may lack proper documentation and become difficult to maintain if the creator leaves.
• Integration Issues: Difficulty connecting with existing enterprise systems.  

To mitigate these risks, organizations should establish a Citizen Development Center of Excellence (CoE), provide training, set clear governance policies, and encourage collaboration between IT and business users.