As government organizations increasingly adopt low-code application platforms, evolving IT staffing strategies becomes crucial to maximizing the benefits of these technologies. Low-code platforms enable rapid application deployment, yet to leverage them effectively, a reorganization of certain resources within IT departments is necessary. Moreover, organizations should refrain from introducing an excessive number of low-code platforms into their technology ecosystem to minimize the diversity of required skill sets for operational support. Consequently, it is advisable to consider the needs of the entire enterprise when selecting a low-code platform, even if initially intended for a singular purpose.
Take these considerations into account when incorporating low-code application platforms into your government IT operations.
Rethinking Roles and Responsibilities
Focus on Analysts Over Programmers
While it may seem logical to consider retraining senior developers to master low-code platforms, this approach can be counterproductive. Instead, consider systems and business analysts to support low-code configuration. These professionals already possess a deep understanding of business processes and requirements, making them ideal candidates to handle the configuration aspects of low-code platforms. Moreover, senior developers often prefer to code rather than to configure a low-code app platform.
Utilize Junior Programmers for Customization
While low-code platforms minimize the need for extensive coding, some customization will still be necessary. This is where junior programmers come into play. They can be easily trained to handle the coding requirements and customizations as these platforms all tend to leverage familiar programming languages. This approach ensures that more experienced programmers are free to tackle complex development projects that may not be able to be addressed by low-code solutions.
Leverage Business Technologists
As highlighted in my previous article on next-gen citizen developers, identifying business technologists within your operational units can greatly enhance your IT staffing strategy. These individuals, who have a knack for technology but are embedded within business units, can act as bridges between IT and business, ensuring that low-code applications are developed in line with departmental needs. However, their efforts must be governed by the technology group to ensure consistency and security; they should not be left to build and deploy applications on their own.
Introduce Low Code Platform Product Manager
To oversee the effective use of low-code platforms, appointing a dedicated product manager can be extremely beneficial. This individual will have several key responsibilities:
- Ensuring proper use: Monitoring how the platform is utilized across departments to ensure best practices are followed.
- Aligning features with needs: Identifying how new platform features can address backlog requests and improve processes.
- Providing education: Offering training and resources to both users and IT personnel to maximize the platform’s potential.
Ideal candidates for this role would be senior business or systems analysts, technical project managers or even a solutions architect. By selecting candidates with a mix of business acumen, technical knowledge, and project management skills, and providing the necessary training and support, you can ensure a smooth and successful transition to the product manager role for your low-code development platform.
Extending Capabilities and Increasing Productivity
Empower Analysts and Business Technologists
By empowering systems analysts, business analysts, and business technologists to take the lead on low-code platforms, you can significantly increase productivity. These roles are well-positioned to understand and translate business requirements into functional applications, allowing for faster and more accurate development.
Keep Senior Programmers Focused on Complex Needs
Senior programmers and developers are valuable assets for any IT department. By allowing them to focus on complex, custom development projects, you ensure that your organization can still address intricate technical challenges while leveraging the speed and efficiency of low-code platforms for more straightforward applications.
Create New Job Titles and Career Paths
As new roles are defined and existing roles are modified, work with your civil service and/or HR departments to create new job titles that specifically align with low-code application platforms. Establish clear career paths to attract and retain talent in these roles, ensuring a motivated and skilled workforce. New titles will also give existing IT resources more options for employment while at the same time offering opportunities for new IT resources within your organization.
Getting the Right People on the Bus
Jim Collins highlights the significance of having the right people in the right positions for success in his book “Good to Great.” A quote from Kinesis Consulting, inspired by Collins’ work, encapsulates this idea: “Once you fill your bus with the right people in the right seats, it becomes less a question of where you’re headed — and instead, how far you can go.” Positioning the right people in pivotal roles, such as analysts, junior programmers, business technologists, and a program manager, is crucial for steering your organization towards the right path and achieving its maximum potential.
Conclusion
As government organizations grow their use of low-code application platforms, evolving IT staffing strategies is essential. By focusing on systems and business analysts for configuration, utilizing junior programmers for customization, and empowering business technologists under IT governance, you can increase productivity and ensure that your senior programmers remain focused on complex needs. Additionally, creating new job titles and career paths, selecting and standardizing low-code platforms, and appointing a dedicated program manager will further enhance your IT operations. This balanced approach will enable your organization to harness the full potential of low-code platforms while maintaining robust and efficient IT operations.
Scott Mastellon, former Suffolk County (NY) CIO and current Managing Director of Public Sector at SVAM International Inc., is a distinguished technology leader with over two decades in the experience in government. Renowned for driving digital transformation and operational efficiency in the public sector, his strategic leadership was crucial during Suffolk County’s critical moments, notably amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Leveraging his rich experience as a government CIO, Scott now brings innovative technology solutions to public sector organizations at SVAM, focusing on cybersecurity, RPA and AI, and data modernization.
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