As the demand for software development accelerates, businesses are facing a critical shortage of skilled developers. This talent gap can prevent project success due to delays and compromised quality. Low-code platforms have emerged as a powerful solution, enabling organizations to effectively bridge the skills gap. By empowering non-technical users, or "citizen developers," to create applications with minimal coding knowledge, low-code platforms democratize development and accelerate project timelines.
The development community is facing increased pressure to deliver superior software solutions, stay ahead of the competition, and foster a culture of continuous innovation. In order to be successful in today's fast-paced technology industry, CTOs, CIOs, project managers, and developers must overcome challenges such as rising customer expectations, economic uncertainty, and even more crucial—a shortage of skilled software developers. This talent gap is becoming more acute, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting that the US will have a shortage of more than 1.2 million developers by 2026.
According to a recent Reveal survey, recruiting developers with the right skills was a top challenge among more than a third of respondents (37.5%). The lack of skilled developers is especially evident when it comes to front-end developers who must build complex, responsive interfaces while ensuring cross-browser compatibility, seamless integration with backend services, and more.
Traditional coding can be time-consuming and expensive. However, low-code platforms have emerged as a solution that can significantly speed up app development and increase developer productivity. Low-code tools were found to boost developer productivity in 9 out of 10 organizations, the Reveal survey found. This happens not only by reducing the amount of hand-coding needed, but also by democratizing app development, addressing scalability issues, and accelerating app delivery.
The Exploding Market for Low-Code Tools
In addition to the shortage of skilled developers, reduced technology budgets, and the need for efficiency are among the factors driving the growth of low-code solutions. Low code allows for rapid prototyping and iterative development, which are crucial for adhering to strict project timelines and smaller budgets.
In Europe, low-code platforms have seen significant adoption within IT organizations, largely driven by the need for better development efficiency and the role of decentralized IT teams. In the United States, low-code tools have been reshaping the landscape of software development, too. Reveal’s 2024 survey reported that two-thirds (71.8%) of developers are now using low-code/no-code tools and more than half (56.4%) anticipate greater reliance on these tools in 2024. With nearly one in three developers (28%) planning to adopt low-code/no-code tools within the next year and 26.7% actively seeking software tailored for citizen developers, it’s clear that the movement toward low-code is not just a trend—it's a strategic imperative.
These technologies have been widely adopted because they not only change the traditional role of developers but optimize resources more efficiently, helping teams overcome extensive workloads. Low-code platforms can automate time-consuming tasks such as designing UIs, configuring layouts, setting up project environments, and generating code. This shift from hand-coding to automation increases productivity and collaboration, and helps reduce technical debt, as developers can prioritize optimizing the codebase and addressing long-term technical challenges rather than getting bogged down by repetitive tasks.
Lack of Skills Can Delay Software Development Projects
Delays in software development projects are often attributed to a lack of skilled developers. The absence of skilled developers can lead to a deluge of inefficiencies, such as:
- Inefficient Coding: Less experienced developers may write less efficient code, leading to longer development times and more bugs.
- Missed Deadlines: Skilled developers can better estimate the time and resources needed for tasks.
- Increased Technical Debt: Inexperienced teams might disregard best practices, resulting in a buildup of technical debt that complicates future development and product maintenance.
- Quality Assurance Issues: Skilled developers are more adept at implementing testing and quality assurance processes. A lack of expertise can lead to more defects and rework.
- Tool Proficiency: Skilled developers are proficient with the latest tools and technologies, which can enhance productivity.
With low-code software, though, even those with minimal coding experience can build applications without having to write code manually. These platforms offer extensive libraries of reusable UI components, drag-and-drop app development experience, pre-built templates, AI functionalities, and more—all of which can be customized to meet specific needs and match branding criteria. Four out of ten (43.5%) developers are saving up to 50% of their time when they use low-code tools on a project, the Reveal survey found.
Three Key Challenges That Low Code Addresses
Low-code platforms address several key challenges in software development. These include:
1. Limited Talent Pool
Creating applications is an increasingly daunting challenge amid the ongoing shortage of skilled developers. This talent gap not only drives up project overheads and delays but also risks compromising the very user experiences that are critical to success. As businesses strive to stand out in a crowded market, the inability to deliver exceptional interfaces can lead to lost opportunities and frustrated users. With the help of low-code tools, non-developers are empowered to create complex interfaces without extensive programming knowledge. Low-code tools also facilitate rapid prototyping, enabling users to design and test interfaces rapidly, reducing the dependency on specialized talent. In addition, low-code software often comes with pre-built components which allow users to easily assemble complex interfaces without needing extensive design skills. By reducing the reliance on specialized talent, low-code platforms can help organizations overcome talent shortages and accelerate the development of complex designs.
2. Increased Workload and Burnout
When existing team members are overwhelmed with projects—especially intricate programming tasks outside their expertise—they can face burnout and a significant drop in productivity. This pressure not only stifles creativity but can also lead to disengagement, impacting overall team morale. When teams are stretched thin, they risk unmet deadlines and diminished quality. In today’s fast-paced, demanding environment, it’s crucial to recognize that an overwhelmed team can’t perform at its best. Low-code platforms address increased workload and burnout in several ways. By allowing users to build applications with minimal coding, low-code platforms significantly speed up development. This reduces the time developers spend on repetitive tasks, helping to manage workloads more effectively. Low-code also enables rapid prototyping and iterations. Teams can test ideas faster, leading to shorter development cycles and less pressure on developers to deliver under tight deadlines. By alleviating many of the challenges associated with traditional development, low-code platforms can help organizations manage workloads more effectively and mitigate the risk of burnout among their team members.
3. Complex Projects
As applications grow in complexity, the pressure intensifies to keep up with new features, updates, bug fixes, and more. To thrive in today’s fast-paced landscape, organizations must prioritize adequate resources, ensuring their teams are equipped to navigate the challenging demands of software development and deliver exceptional results. Low-code platforms often feature development environments that allow users to design and build applications through drag-and-drop interfaces. This simplifies the creation of complex workflows and user interfaces without needing extensive coding knowledge. In addition, many low-code platforms offer built-in integrations with various third-party services and APIs. This enables seamless connectivity with existing systems, which is often crucial for complex projects that require data from multiple sources. Low-code software’s ability to automate repetitive tasks can help reduce complexity and improve efficiency, allowing teams to focus on more strategic aspects of the project. By simplifying many aspects of application development and fostering collaboration, low-code platforms enable teams to tackle complex projects more effectively and efficiently.
Conclusion
Low-code platforms not only bridge the talent gap but also foster collaboration between teams, allowing them to work more cohesively. By automating mundane and repetitive tasks, these platforms significantly reduce the burden on developers, accelerating time to market. With their ability to improve efficiency and reduce costs, low-code tools are transforming the way businesses approach software development, making it possible to deliver high-quality applications faster than ever. A Gartner report indicates that “by 2025, 70% of new applications developed by organizations will use low-code or no-code technologies, up from less than 25% in 2020.” In today’s evolving technological landscape, embracing low-code isn’t just a strategy; it's becoming a necessity for organizations that want to stay competitive.
