The Power Platform's Rubik's Cube -Reconsidering the 'Low Code' Label of Microsoft's Power Platform: A Personal Viewpoint

In recent years, and especially over the past 12 months, Microsoft's Power Platform has been embraced widely as a key technology for businesses of all sizes. It is celebrated as a 'low code' platform that equips every team member - from technically skilled developers to less technical business users - to construct solutions that boost productivity. However, as someone with hands-on experience with the Power Platform, I am of the opinion that the 'low code' label may unintentionally misguide enterprise-level clients. This is not a criticism of the platform's functionality, but rather a plea for more accurate representation.

When you hear 'low code,' it frequently implies simplicity and ease of use. It is easy to deduce that the deployment and upkeep of these tools are rather straightforward, potentially even a piece of cake. This narrative fosters the idea that anyone, irrespective of technical expertise, can pick up the platform and create fully functioning, enterprise-level solutions.

In reality, the Power Platform can be immensely complex. Whilst it is accurate to say that users with minimal coding knowledge can utilise this platform to create basic applications, constructing enterprise-level solutions requires a significantly greater understanding and expertise.

Take Power Apps, the flagship product, as an example. To create a basic application to manage simple tasks, one might not need comprehensive programming knowledge. But the moment you wish to integrate complex data sources, enforce intricate workflows, or customise user interfaces beyond the standard offerings, the low code aspect starts to retreat. Suddenly, you are dealing with programming languages like JavaScript, delving into APIs, or wrestling with concepts such as data gateways and security roles.

Another example can be derived from Power Automate. Building basic flows between standard connectors is quite straightforward. However, when you aim to design an advanced, multi-step flow with custom connectors or integrations with systems like Azure, the complexity intensifies. At this point, one starts to realise that 'low code' does not necessarily mean 'low complexity.'

Enterprise clients need to realise that the concept of 'low code' does not remove the necessity for comprehensive training and robust knowledge. There's a significant chasm between creating a basic application and developing a complex, integrated solution tailored to a business's unique needs. The latter frequently requires not just an understanding of the platform, but also a solid understanding of underlying technologies, system integrations, and data management principles.

Yes, the Power Platform democratises development to an extent (Citizen Devs, for example), but like any other tool, it doesn't eliminate the need for experts. The beauty and strength of this platform lie in its capability to bridge the gap between professional developers and business users, not in discarding the need for professional development expertise.

To truly harness the potential of the Power Platform, enterprise clients should invest in expert training and recognise the complexities of the platform. Understanding the difference between 'low code' and 'low complexity' can help set realistic expectations, plan more effectively, and genuinely reap the benefits of this powerful set of tools.

While the term 'low code' accurately captures one aspect of the Power Platform, it is not fully representative of the expertise required for enterprise-level projects. Organisations can set themselves up for a much more efficient and successful project delivery by understanding this, something that we happen to take for granted as of late. It is after all a balancing act.