Coding for Non-Coders: How to Easily Build Enterprise Apps Without Coding in 8 Simple Steps
Blog: Joget Unplugged
However, technology has changed a lot of things on the app development front and it’s now not just practical but also easy for non-developers to create working apps through codeless development, as we’ve discussed in parts one and two of this series.
Today, we will show you, in eight simple steps, exactly how to create enterprise web applications for your organization, using the Joget platform as our primary tool.
For the fact that this post targets non-technicals, we’ll try to keep it free from technical jargons as much as we can while still delivering value. And where we use a technical term, we’ll explain it. Let’s go straight up into the steps:
STEP #1: IDEATE WHAT APP TO CREATE
When it comes to ideation, you have to be very strategic, otherwise, you may end up struggling with the adoption of the app by users. Put differently, it’s not just any idea that works.
For your app to carry a lot of weight with users, it should aim at solving a real-world problem for your organization. It could be efficiency problem, process problem, or just any effective organizational problem that needs solving.
Usually, these sort of problems are always almost everywhere in an organization; so you might not need to look too far. Whatever idea you arrive at, it should generally do at least one of the following:
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Simplify complex business processes
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Reduce costs
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Save time
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Make employees’ jobs easier
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Enhance effective collaboration
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Allow secure access to information
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Resolve efficiency issues
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Make it possible for employees to continue working outside of the traditional office
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Streamline and improve workflow and approval processes
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Amplify opportunities for the organization
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And more.
STEP #2: DETERMINE AND DETAIL FUNCTIONALITIES AND FEATURES OF THE APP
By detailing things down, you will be able to:
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Give your idea a structure
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Ensure each use case makes sense in reality
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Pre-design the user experience for better delivery
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Arrange features beforehand and map out the priority of your app’s content
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Connect the dots from one element to another.
If your app is looking to resolve a problem, it’s vital you find out the pain points of the prospective users so as to be able to resolve them spot on.
STEP #3: CHOOSE YOUR TOOL AND SIGN UP
Of course, we’re discussing codeless development here so the tool you choose should definitely be a no-code/low-code platform with which you can easily build apps with little or zero coding knowledge.
STEP #4: CREATE YOUR APP
From step #1 up to step #3, you’ve been preparing for the main job. Now, it’s time to actually create your app. This step is probably the most technical part of this whole process, so you need to pay special attention to it.
And don’t worry about the intricacies involved with development; codeless development is simple. It basically involves dragging and dropping visual elements to create what you want. Moreso, we will be using Joget Workflow, a really easy-to-use platform that makes development even enjoyable.
You can use Joget Workflow to create a working and fully functioning prototype, where users can actually use the system. This way, you get the users to participate directly and they can see what they are getting from the onset.
To prototype with Joget Workflow, use the App Generator. With it, you’d be able to generate a fully functioning prototype from a form. Here’s a helpful tutorial on how to use the App Generator.
After you’ve created and tested a prototype of your app, and are satisfied with it, it’s time to create the full application.
Creating a Joget Workflow app typically involves five simple steps as shown below:
i. DESIGNING A NEW APP
Here, you’re required to enter the details of your new app, including App ID (without spaces) and App Name.
ii. DESIGNING A FORM
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iii. DESIGNING A LIST
You’ll need to select the source of the data, edit columns, plus a couple other functions.
Go here for details on designing a list.
iv. DESIGNING A USERVIEW
Here’s a quick tutorial on designing a userview with Joget Workflow.
v. DESIGNING A PROCESS
STEP #5: TEST IT… AGAIN
STEP #6: INTEGRATE AND EXTEND YOUR APP
This can be done using plugins. Joget Workflow has a robust plugin architecture you can take advantage of to enhance and extend the functionalities of your app and integrate it with external technologies such as JSON, SOAP, and SQL/JDBC.
STEP #7: DEPLOY YOUR APP AND GET TARGET USERS TO ADOPT IT
App development does not end at just creating the app. It involves making sure the app gets adopted and used by the people. You wouldn’t say you created a successful app if nobody is using it, would you?
STEP #8: GET FEEDBACK AND MAKE IMPROVEMENTS
Development is a process; it continues. Don’t stop working on your app. Continually update and improve it based on user feedback and on new technologies.
Also, be open to constructive criticism and listen to complaints. Work with the support team of your software provider to fix technically complex problems.
Building an app can be very easy, especially with the right tools and information in hand. You don’t need to be a professional coder to do so, as codeless development has totally changed the game.
We hope you try out Joget Workflow, but you ought also to try out the steps given above to build something employees will be happy to use.
This is the part three of the series, Coding for Non-Coders. Feel free to check out parts one and two if you have yet to do so.
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