In an environment of increasing digital transformation, technology leaders are supporting teams that require solutions in days or weeks, not months. Low-code platforms are now on the rise to help you keep pace with this trend, your competitors, and your employees. Understand the limitations and implications of traditional software delivery Learn how low-code platforms are changing the game by increasing the pace of app delivery and experimentation, lowering start-up costs, and empowering end users to build on their own while adhering to IT governance Hear best-in-class practices for evaluating low-code platforms and organizing your technology resources to achieve success

2. Guiding Principles For The Low-
Code Revolution
John R. Rymer, Vice President, Principal Analyst
May 27, 2015

3. © 2015 Forrester Research, Inc. Reproduction Prohibited 3
Fast Software Delivery Is Crucial
1980s
1990s
1960s
2010
Data processing -- Batch automation of accounting, back-office
IT -- Database, online systems-of-record and PCs
automate front-office
The Internet -- eBusiness brings external
(Web) access to internal business processes
The Customer -- Mobile & social
empower customers – systems of
engagement win, serve, retain them
RequiredDeliveryTime

4. © 2015 Forrester Research, Inc. Reproduction Prohibited 4
How Software Delivery Is Failing
1980s
1990s
1960s
2010
Data processing -- Batch automation of accounting, back-office
IT -- Database, online systems-of-record and PCs
automate front-office
The Internet -- eBusiness brings external
(Web) access to internal business processes
The Customer -- Mobile & social
empower customers – systems of
engagement win, serve, retain them
RequiredDeliveryTime
• Projects take too long.
• Delivery processes are too inflexible.
• Software change is too expensive & slow.
• Talents are out of date.

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We’re Expanding Our Platform Portfolios
Legacy
• COBOL,
PL/1, etc.
Client/serve
r
• PowerBuilder,
old VB, Oracle
Forms
Web
• .NET,
Java
Digital Business
• Mobile platforms
• Server-side Javascript
• Low-code platforms
• Cloud platforms
• Continuous delivery

6. © 2015 Forrester Research, Inc. Reproduction Prohibited 6
Low-Code Platforms Defined
› Platforms that enable rapid delivery of business
applications with a minimum of hand-coding, and minimal
upfront investment in setup, training, and deployment.
• Devs use low-code platforms to produce complete business applications
(UX, data, workflow, transactions, reporting).
• Devs use low-code platforms to address a wide range of applications.
• Low-code platforms are an alternative to general-purpose coding
frameworks (e.g. Java and .NET).
Source: Based on “New Development Platforms Emerge For Customer-Facing Applications,” August 6, 2014

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Low-Code Is A Diverse Market
Group Vendors Revenue
>$100M Salesforce (Force.com) $500
$25-$100M Acquia, Appian, Intuit, K2, Mendix, Nintex, OutSystems,
ServiceNow
$500
$10-$25M Alpha Software, Bizagi, Intalio, MicroPACT $120
<$10M Alphinat, Avoka, BPLogix, ClaySys, KeyedIn Solutions,
MATsSoft, MioSoft, Mobidio, Mvine, Progress Software,
Software AG
$60
Nascent Exadel, IBM, ManyWho, Microsoft, Snappii, WhoGloo, Zudy $10
Total ~$1,200
Source: Forrester estimate
Estimated Low-Code Revenues

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5 Ways Low-Code Speeds App Delivery
› Visual descriptions much faster than coding
• Declarative tooling, pre-built components and controls
› Easy, immediate, low-cost on-ramp
• On-demand access, low costs, no enterprise sales cycle, no training
› Discover true requirements and real value
• Try out ideas at no or low cost, see the app as you build and modify it
› Generate mobile apps from older apps
• Available responsive design, reusable UX definitions
› Empower developers you can find and afford
• Powerful tooling replaces need for top-tier talent; fast ramp training

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This May Be A Revolution
Health Ministry Patient admin system 3 years
4 months, 1
week
Enterprise Result Code Low-Code
UK Insurance Agent Portal
∞ 10 days to
MVP
Call Center
Operator
Customer-specific app 4 months 3 weeks
Spain Insurance
Web channel & admin
system
2.7 years
(est)
13 weeks

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Low-Code Platforms Also Enable Chaos
› Dozens to hundreds of hard-to-maintain apps
› Dozens to hundreds of point integrations
› Apps that can’t grow along with usage
› One-off, orphaned apps and/or platforms
› More custom code to fill gaps than you planned to
write

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Self-service
Human-mediated
Simple ComplexBusiness Process
Customer
Interaction Mode General-purpose
Web-content
Process
Data/Forms
Start With Objectives For Your Platforms
› Source: “New Development Platforms Emerge For Customer-Facing Applications,” August 6, 2014

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When You’re Established, What’s Next?
Experimentation, initial proof Expansion, optimization
Case
Forms B2C
Process

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Plot Your Product Selection
Application ScenariosNiche General-Purpose
ExpressivenessConstrained Unconstrained
ScalabilityDepartmental Internet-scale
Ramp-up TimeLots Little
Deployment ChoiceLimited Multiple

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Plot Your Product Selection
Application ScenariosNiche General-Purpose
ExpressivenessConstrained Unconstrained
ScalabilityDepartmental Internet-scale
Ramp-up TimeLots Little
Deployment ChoiceLimited Multiple
B2C sites
Agent portal

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Target Roles Using Low-Code
Platforms
Plan Who Will Do The Work
DevOps
Pros
Coders
Rapid
Devs
Apps
Pros
“Citizen
Developers”
Process
Pros
(both inside and outside of IT)
IT
Pros

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Design Your Governance Policies
› Guidelines for classes of projects.
› Common data, components, integration and who’s
responsible.
› Development framework and practices to achieve
responsiveness and efficiency goals.
› How to empower subject-matter experts.
› Coordination of multiple lifecycle speeds.

17. forrester.com
Thank you
John R. Rymer
+1 650.581.3857
jrymer@forrester.com
@johnrrymer
With
Clay Richardson