In an age of rapid technological advancement, governments must move quickly to keep pace with the latest trends and advances, a task that’s made more complex by the prevalence of legacy tech in government IT. In 2019, the US federal government spent almost $340 million maintaining legacy technology.
An often-overlooked frontier of digital transformation, low-code and no-code platforms offer a promising avenue for addressing these challenges by enabling non-technical staff to develop customized applications swiftly and effectively, without the hassle of external procurement processes. This approach helps streamline the day-to-day operations of organizations and can prove particularly valuable in times of crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic, in the wake of natural disasters such as Hurricanes Milton and Helene, or during a security incident.
By helping government agencies and departments to avoid lengthy IT procurement processes, low-code and no-code solutions can help make the public sector more efficient under various conditions. However, it’s crucial to understand both the strengths and limitations of low-code/no-code solutions in order to make informed decisions that align with organizational goals and ensure long-term success.
When Low-Code/No-Code is Right for Government
For government agencies in particular, relying on no-code/low-code platforms opens up the door to critical advantages:
1. Scaling New Technologies for Less
Low-code/no-code platforms help government agencies with budget constraints and personnel shortages by providing a less resource-intensive means of advancing their technology. Instead of engaging an external vendor for a purpose-built solution, IT leaders can use low-code/no-code to meet needs at a lesser expense, without the hassle of working with an external vendor. Low-code/no-code also reduces dependency on specialized developers with extensive coding knowledge.
For example, a local government agency responsible for managing public services might need a new system to handle citizen requests and complaints. Traditionally, this would require hiring a software development firm, which could be costly and time-consuming. With a low-code/no-code platform, the agency's existing staff can rapidly develop and implement a custom application tailored to their specific needs, allowing for quicker adjustments and improvements.
2. Enabling Citizen Development
No one quite understands the needs of a government agency like the people responsible for its operational routines. With the help of low-code/no-code technology, employees are empowered to contribute to technological advancements without having to sit through time- and labor-intensive technical training, allowing them to foster a culture of innovation and problem solving. While communicating with an external vendor risks certain priorities or functionalities getting lost in the shuffle, low-code/no-code technology empowers users and staff members to create their own solutions that not only meet their needs directly but accelerate digital workplace success.
3. Executing Agility in Emergency Response
In critical situations, time is a scarce resource. Low-code/no-code platforms can be crucial for rapid response in emergencies because they offer greater agility. For example, they can help to quickly support contact tracing applications in case of a global health crisis like Covid-19. In the wake of natural disasters like hurricanes or tornadoes, agencies can also rely on low-code or no-code tools to coordinate internal communication or enable collaboration between different teams or agencies, allowing users to circumvent onerous procurement processes.
In the last few years, low-code/no-code platforms have proved essential, with no signs of slowing down. Gartner estimates that 70% of new business applications will be built with the help of low-code/no-code platforms by 2025, while the market for low-code/no-code platforms is anticipated to reach $86.9 billion by 2027.
The Limitations of Low-Code/No-Code
Low-code/no-code platforms, however, are not a silver bullet. For government agencies to meet citizen needs and continue delivering valuable services, it is important to evaluate the limitations of low-code/no-code.
1. Struggles with Complex Applications
Although effective for automating routine processes, developing front-end applications, and rapid prototyping, low-code/no-code platforms might face roadblocks with regard to complex, highly customized applications that require extensive coding. Applications that require advanced analytics or machine learning algorithms would also be difficult to implement with low-code/no-code platforms, for example, as they often rely on highly specialized coding and integration with various data sources.
This can be a problem for the public sector, where government regulations create strict requirements around the way that software and related data are produced, stored, and managed on an ongoing basis.
2. Security Concerns
Concerns around security, scalability, and integration with existing systems are particularly acute. Government agencies dealing with sensitive information like national security or intelligence data may require applications with stringent security measures, including custom encryption protocols and secure data-handling practices. Low-code/no-code platforms might not offer the level of customization needed to meet these high-security requirements.
Although low-code/no-code platforms can reduce the development time up to 90%, there are still many concerns about scaling their technology. Since these platforms often provide a limited set of pre-built components and templates, they may struggle to meet specific customization needs as they grow in complexity. For instance, applications that involve complex geospatial data analysis and mapping, such as those in urban planning or environmental monitoring, may need specialized GIS capabilities that are not easily achievable in low-code/no-code platforms.
In the long term, these platforms might face performance issues as they scale since they are not optimized for handling large volumes of data or high user traffic, leading to potential bottlenecks and slower performance.
Making the Right-Sized Choice for Your Organization
Choosing the right low-code/no-code platform for your organization requires a thorough understanding of both their capabilities and limitations. Evaluate your organizational needs, the complexities of the applications you wish to develop, and the long-term implications of adopting such technologies. Striking a balance between innovation and practicality is essential for sustainable growth and adaptability, particularly in the public sector, where safety and efficiency are a matter of public concern.
