“We Need Love Too” – Internal PowerApps Apps: A Design Guide for New App Makers ????

Three years ago, I joined a project with my then-company to develop a PowerApps application that helped find and resolve internal investment conflicts among C-level executives. I joined the project a bit later. (This is important; remember this bit.) My task was to fix a duplication issue. Upon opening the application, I noticed the horrible design (I am a developer so that I can say that). The User Experience was so bad that I asked myself, "Did we think through this design?" It was a pivotal moment that made me realize how crucial good design is, even for internal apps. ??

Why Don't We Get Love? – Internal Business Apps ????

Business applications are sometimes created for a single purpose, such as a contact form or survey. They are sometimes created for complex systems. Incoming app makers sometimes skip the design process and jump into the development phase. The general thinking amongst app makers goes like this:

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- The problem or app in question is not complex. A simple layout will be fine. ??

- We must spin up a new application in two weeks, so let's skip design. ??

?But I ask this: How many times do your coworkers or employees ask about the functionality of your app? In my case, too many times. ??

?Microsoft wants to turn regular employees into app makers/low-code developers. With the popularity of low-code tools and AI, design will play a big part in application development, especially in SMEs and federal institutions. ??

How Do We Show Love? – App Makers ????

First, you need to understand the space you are swimming in. Internal applications are designed to meet the unique needs of an organization. They address specific workflows, solve unique problems, and enhance the overall efficiency of business operations. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, internal applications are tailored to fit perfectly within the business environment. Power Apps provides a versatile platform that allows you to create custom apps easily. Its integration with other Microsoft services (like SharePoint, Office 365, and Dynamics 365) and various third-party services makes it incredibly powerful for internal use. Plus, the low-code nature of Power Apps means you can develop robust applications without needing extensive coding knowledge. ??

?Coming from a traditional pro dev space, I had to understand that PowerApps only solves some of my problems. Understanding the limitations of the Power Platform generally helped me streamline my solutions to fit the environment I was working in. Depending on the problem you are designing for, you may have to find alternatives within or outside the Power Platform suite. ??

Design Considerations for When You Start Your App-Making Journey ????

After that horrible project, I started researching and designing my applications. After two years of developing applications in the Microsoft Power Platform ecosystem, here are my considerations.

?1. Understand Your Business Needs ??

Most app makers jump straight into the PowerApps Studio when a problem is identified. You can start by understanding the specific needs of your situation. What problems are you trying to solve? What processes need improvement? Talk to stakeholders, gather feedback, and identify key pain points. Sometimes, you may not even need to create an app for the problem. For example, a simple workflow adjustment or an existing tool might be a better solution.

?2. Know Your Users ??

Most apps are built for other people, so understanding users and their behaviors helps you develop a more intuitive design. Conduct user interviews and surveys or use analytics to gather insights.

Tip: Create user flows for each user you identify. It will improve your understanding of the business process and help you know how to design your app.

? 3. Find Inspiration ??

There are tons of apps on the internet that have solved the problem you are trying to address. Use websites like Awwwards, Behance, Dribble, and Pinterest to find Inspiration. Look out for layout ideas, component placements, and user interactions that you can apply to your design. For instance, when working on an internal task management app, I found a fantastic user interface on Dribble that influenced my design.

4. Wireframe! Wireframe. Wireframe. ??

One of the crucial design steps you can take in your design journey is wireframing, which can be done anywhere. Draw out 2 to 3 ideas on paper. You can use online design tools like Figma and Balsamiq to draw out the wireframes. Wireframes give you a low-level view of what the design could look like. In one project, wireframing helped us realize we needed a different layout to accommodate user navigation better.

5. Design and Prototype Your Idea ???

Now you have a whole idea of what you want for your app. You can now proceed to design the concept using complex design tools such as Figma. In my design sessions, I ensure the following rules are applied:

?- Maintain Consistency: If your organization has a brand theme, apply it to simplify your life. If not, make sure your design elements follow a consistent theme. Consistency in design elements such as colors, fonts, and button styles helps create a cohesive user experience.

- Using Microsoft Design Framework (Fluent UI) as a Reference: Check out the design framework when in doubt. It has many inspirations for design elements.

6. Show and Collect Feedback ???

Organize a design session with your colleagues or manager to present your work. Work through your wireframes and final design for feedback. You will be surprised at the number of suggestions and missed opportunities you can get after conducting a couple of these sessions. For instance, in a recent project, feedback sessions revealed a critical navigation issue that we were able to fix before launch.

We Love the New Look – Internal Apps and App Makers ????

These considerations are based on my work experiences and the tools available to me. Things may change depending on the problem you have to design for. However, I think these considerations can be used no matter what PowerApps applications you are building.

?Designing internal Power Apps applications is essential for creating tailored solutions that address specific business needs. You can develop apps that enhance productivity and streamline operations by focusing on user-centric design, integration, and best practices.

?What considerations do you have when designing your PowerApps? Please leave them in the comments below. Maybe I will steal them! ??

##To help you on your journey, here are some tools and resources that can be incredibly useful:

- Design Tools: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch

- Prototyping Tools: InVision, Marvel, Proto.io

- User Testing Platforms: UserTesting, Lookback, Maze

- Educational Resources: Microsoft Learn, Udemy, Coursera