Mastering Low Code App Development with ServiceNow: Best Practices, Challenges, and Discoveries

Mastering Low Code App Development with ServiceNow: Best Practices, Challenges, and Discoveries

Are you looking for ways to building new business applications or to modernise old software? You are not alone here. There is a big demand for applications that can be made quickly and efficiently. The ServiceNow’s Low Code App Development platform is a symbol of inventiveness in this area by combining ease with strength. This paper will delve into the fundamental elements of Low Code App Development using ServiceNow. I am going to expounding on the best practices, obstacles and hidden features that may speed up and enhance your Low-Code apps on the Now Platform for your organisation.

Best Practices in ServiceNow Low Code Development:

• Emphasize Collaboration: ServiceNow’s platform is designed for both business and IT collaboration. Establishing clear communication channels and collaborative workflows is key to leveraging the full potential of the platform.
• Utilize Graphical Interfaces: The strength of low-code development lies in its graphical interfaces, which simplify complex coding requirements. Developers should maximize the use of these interfaces for efficient app development.
• Set Development Guardrails: Implementing standards and compliance checks ensures consistency and quality in app development.

Challenges in Low Code Development:

• Balancing Flexibility and Control: While low-code platforms offer flexibility, maintaining control over the development process can be challenging. Setting clear governance policies is essential.
• Managing Integration Complexity: Integrating low-code apps with existing systems can be complex. Developers need to be aware of integration challenges and prepare accordingly.
• Ensuring Scalability: As businesses grow, their applications must scale. Designing for scalability from the onset is crucial.

Hidden Gems in ServiceNow’s Platform:

• Advanced Workflow Customization: Beyond basic functionalities, ServiceNow allows for intricate workflow customizations, enabling more tailored solutions.
• Extensive Template Library: A lesser-known feature is ServiceNow’s extensive template library, which can accelerate the development process.
• Robust Compliance Tools: The platform’s compliance tools are often underutilized but offer significant benefits in maintaining industry standards.

Outcomes and Values

ServiceNow’s low-code platform is not just about ease of development; it’s about tangible outcomes. For instance, FICO reported a 75% reduction in development time using these low-code tools, illustrating the platform’s potential to dramatically accelerate project timelines [47].

Exemplary Low Code App in the Enterprise Domain – A Step by Step Guide

An example of an enterprise-level app developed using ServiceNow’s low-code platform is a “Job Application” tool. This tool could integrate various workflows, manage applicants, track progress, and provide analytics – all customized to the specific needs of the organization, demonstrating the platform’s adaptability and efficiency.

When we talk about creating an app, it’s like going on a journey through six distinct yet interconnected stages. It all starts with ideation and planning. Think of this as the brainstorming phase where we figure out what we want our app to do, setting clear goals and laying out a roadmap to achieve them.

Next, we dive into designing. This is the creative part where we sketch out the app’s look and feel, decide on the programming languages, and plan for its security features. It’s all about making sure the app is not only functional but also user-friendly and safe.

Once we have a solid plan and design, we move on to development. This is where things get real – coding begins, and our app starts to take shape. It’s a process of bringing our blueprints to life, often involving a lot of coding and problem-solving to get everything working just right.

But we’re not done yet. Before the app can go live, it needs to be tested. This is a critical phase where we check everything over and over to ensure there are no bugs and that the app runs smoothly. It’s like a final quality check to make sure everything we built works as intended.

Then comes deployment. This is the exciting part where our app finally goes out into the world. We carefully move the app from our testing environment to the real world, making sure the transition is seamless and that users get the best experience from the get-go.

Last but not least, there’s maintenance and support. Once the app is out there, we need to keep it running smoothly. This means fixing any issues that pop up, updating it regularly, and making sure it stays relevant and secure for its users. It’s an ongoing process to ensure the app continues to meet the needs of its users.

And there you have it – the journey of app development, from a mere idea to a fully functioning app that people use every day. Each stage is crucial, building on the last, to create an app that’s not only functional but also engaging and reliable.

Job Application

Ideation and Planning:

1. Identify Needs: Determine the specific functionalities required for a job application process, such as form submission, resume upload, and status tracking.
2. Stakeholder Alignment: Consult with HR and IT departments to align the app’s capabilities with organizational hiring processes.

Designing:

1. User Interface (UI) Design: Create a user-friendly interface for applicants and HR personnel.
2. Workflow Design: Establish workflows for application submission, review, and response processes.

Development:

1. Utilize Low-Code Tools: Leverage ServiceNow’s graphical interfaces for building forms, workflows, and dashboards with minimal coding.
2. Integrate with Existing Systems: Ensure seamless integration with HR systems for data consistency.

Testing:

1. Functional Testing: Test for application submission and review functionalities.
2. User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Conduct UAT with HR representatives to ensure the app meets their needs.

Deployment:

1. Move to Production: After successful testing, deploy the app in the ServiceNow production environment.
2. User Training: Provide training for HR personnel on using the new app.

Maintenance and Support:

1. Regular Updates: Incorporate feedback and make necessary updates.
2. Ongoing Support: Provide continuous support and troubleshooting.

Security and Role Management:

1. Define Roles: Assign roles like ‘admin’ and ‘security_admin’ to manage the app securely.
2. Access Control: Set up proper access controls to ensure data privacy and security.

Leveraging Update Sets:

1. Track Changes: Use Update Sets to capture and migrate changes across development, test, and production instances.
2. Maintain Consistency: Ensure consistency in the app development across different environments.

Conclusion

ServiceNow’s Low Code App Development platform offers a unique blend of simplicity, power, and flexibility, making it an indispensable tool in the modern enterprise technology stack. Have you experienced the transformational impact of low-code development in your organisation? Share your experiences or thoughts on how low-code platforms like ServiceNow are shaping the future of enterprise app development.

Next Steps

To want to learn more about the Low Code applications on ServiceNow or get a well-defined MVP, visit our ServiceNow App Engine offering. We provide low code starter kits that will definitely fit your need regardless of your industry and size. Our Product Journey Approach helps you to predict the expected timeline and the outcomes. It helps envisioning the product or the application, design the concept and implement the first MVP within a reasonable timeframe.

Kostya Bazanov, Managing Director, May 24, 2024

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