What is the Citizen Developer University?

The Power Platform is a low-code platform that allows non-technical professionals to create custom business solutions, automations, and integrations. These non-technical professionals are known as Power Platform Citizen Developers. In this article, we will explore what a Power Platform Citizen Developer is, how to build a Citizen Developer community, the benefits of a Citizen Developer community, and who within an organisation should be a Citizen Developer. 

What is a Power Platform Citizen Developer? 

A Power Platform Citizen Developer is a non-technical professional who is empowered to create custom business solutions using the Microsoft Power Platform. The Power Platform is a low-code platform that allows users to create custom business applications, automations, and integrations without the need for extensive technical knowledge. 

Citizen Developers can use the Power Platform to create solutions that automate business processes, create custom forms and workflows, and integrate with other systems and data sources. These solutions can range from simple automations to more complex applications and can be used across a wide range of industries and business functions. 

 

Why are Power Platform Citizen Developers Important? 

Power Platform Citizen Developers are important for several reasons. Firstly, they allow organisations to quickly and easily create custom solutions that meet their specific business needs. By empowering non-technical professionals to create solutions, organisations can save time and money on development costs, and can also ensure that the solutions created align with the specific needs of the business. 

Secondly, Power Platform Citizen Developers can help organisations to become more agile and responsive to changing business needs. With the ability to create custom solutions in-house, organisations can more quickly adapt to new opportunities or challenges, and can more easily test and iterate on new ideas. 

Lastly, Power Platform Citizen Developers can help to bridge the gap between IT and the business. By empowering non-technical professionals to create solutions, organisations can better align IT with the needs of the business, and can reduce the dependency on IT resources for small-scale projects. 

 

How to Build a Power Platform Citizen Developer Community 

Building a Power Platform Citizen Developer community requires a community-based approach that encourages collaboration and sharing of knowledge and best practices amongst Citizen Developers. The following are some steps that organisations can take to build a Power Platform Citizen Developer community: 

Identify and train key individuals: Organisations should identify and train key individuals within the business who have an interest in the Power Platform. These individuals can then act as champions for the platform and can help to train and support other members of the organisation. 

Create a dedicated online space: Organisations can create a dedicated online space, such as a community forum or chat group, where Citizen Developers can share their experiences and ask for help. This can help to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst community members. 

Organize events and workshops: Organisations can organize events and workshops to bring together Citizen Developers and provide them with training and resources to help them build their skills. 

Encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing: Organisations should encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst Citizen Developers by rewarding those who contribute to the community, and by creating opportunities for community members to share their work and learn from others. 

 

The Benefits of a Power Platform Citizen Developer Community 

The benefits of a Power Platform Citizen Developer community include: 

Increased collaboration and knowledge sharing: By creating a dedicated community, Citizen Developers can share their experiences and best practices, leading to increased collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst community members. 

Increased innovation and productivity: Community members can develop new ideas and solutions for business problems through collaboration and sharing of best practices. Furthermore by providing training and resources to community members, organisations can help to build the skills of Citizen Developers, leading to more efficient and effective solutions for the business. 

Better alignment of IT with business needs: By empowering non-technical professionals to create solutions, organisations can better align IT with the needs of the business, reducing the dependency on IT resources for small-scale projects. 

Cost savings: By empowering non-technical professionals to create solutions, organisations can save time and money on development costs. 

Continuous learning and support: Citizen Developers continue to learn and improve their skills as they share ideas, collaborate and support each other, providing a continuous learning and development opportunities. 

Builds a sense of ownership and commitment: When Citizen Developers are empowered to build solutions that address the specific needs of their business area, it creates a sense of ownership and commitment to the solution, which in turn leads to better adoption and higher return on investment. 

 

Who Should be a Citizen Developer? 

Anyone within an organisation who has an interest in the Power Platform and is willing to invest the time to learn and develop their skills can be a Citizen Developer. However, it is important to identify and train key individuals within the organisation who can act as champions for the platform and help to train and support other members of the organisation. 

It is also recommended that the organisation should identify business areas that can benefit from the Power Platform, and to involve employees from those areas in the Citizen Developer community. This will ensure that the solutions developed align with the specific needs of the business. 

Citizen Developer University 

Changing Social’s Citizen Developer University is a structured learning programme designed to help individuals learn about the Microsoft Power Platform and become proficient Citizen Developers. The curriculum, known as CDU, is a series of modules that cover the various aspects of the Power Platform. 

The CDU is delivered through Microsoft Teams, where a community of students learn together through seminars and guided lab sessions. This approach encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing amongst the students, helping them to develop their skills and build their understanding of the Power Platform. 

The curriculum is designed to be hands-on and interactive, allowing students to apply their new knowledge and skills as they learn. The modules are also designed to be flexible, accommodating the needs of different learners and businesses. 

At the end of the CDU, students will have the knowledge and skills to create custom business solutions using the Power Platform and will be equipped to implement these solutions in their organisations. They will also be part of a community of Citizen Developers, who will continue to share ideas and support each other as they develop their skills and apply the Power Platform to their businesses. 

For more information about creating a Citizen Developer community and Power Platform training, please get in touch. Changing Social is one of the leading Microsoft consultancy firms, specialising in adoption change management, Microsoft training, the Power Platform and much more. For additional information please fill in the form below, or email us at [email protected]