For many organizations, the demand for digital solutions far outpaces the availability of skilled developers.
Business leaders are under constant pressure to deliver new apps, workflows, and automations to support growth, yet IT teams are stretched thin. Within the Dynamics 365 ecosystem, the Power Platform has emerged as a powerful answer.
By enabling employees, often called “citizen developers,” to build their own applications and automations, companies can reduce reliance on scarce developer resources while improving retention and engagement.
The talent challenge in today’s market
Enterprises everywhere are facing a shortage of professional developers. Complex backlogs, rising costs, and long timelines often delay critical innovation. At the same time, employees working directly in finance, supply chain, sales, or customer service often know exactly what tools would make their work more effective.
Without the ability to act, these employees grow frustrated, while IT teams struggle to prioritize competing demands. This bottleneck can lead to both lost productivity and higher turnover.
Many businesses are already looking for Dynamics 365 and Power Platform specialists who can guide citizen development programs. Nigel Frank helps organizations find the right talent to set up governance and unlock employee-led innovation.
Power Platform: Democratizing app development
Microsoft Power Platform, tightly integrated with Dynamics 365, changes this equation. It allows non-technical users to build apps, automate processes, and create data-driven insights, all without requiring advanced coding skills. Key components include:
Power Apps – For creating custom applications that extend Dynamics 365 capabilities
Power Automate – For streamlining repetitive workflows and connecting disparate systems
Power BI – For enabling employees to visualize and act on data in real time
Power Virtual Agents – For building AI-driven chatbots that support customers and employees
For executives, this represents a strategic shift. Instead of waiting on developer bandwidth, business units can create solutions themselves while IT provides governance and oversight.
Why employee empowerment matters for retention
Employee engagement is directly linked to feeling empowered and valued. Giving staff the ability to build their own solutions creates:
Ownership of innovation – Employees see their ideas come to life and have a direct impact on business outcomes
Faster problem-solving – Instead of submitting tickets and waiting weeks, teams can address challenges immediately
Skill development – Building with Power Platform helps employees grow digital skills, increasing career satisfaction
When employees feel heard and enabled, they are more likely to stay. For executives, this translates into lower turnover costs and a stronger culture of innovation.
As demand for low-code and automation skills continues to rise, securing experienced Dynamics professionals has never been more important. Nigel Frank connects you with the people who can reduce IT bottlenecks and build a culture of empowerment.
Reducing reliance on scarce developer resources
Professional developers remain essential for complex, enterprise-scale projects. But by shifting smaller, department-level requests to employees through Power Platform, IT teams can:
Focus developers on high-value initiatives that drive revenue and competitive advantage
Reduce bottlenecks by cutting down on the volume of low-code requests funneled through IT
Scale innovation across the organization by tapping into the collective creativity of the workforce
This dual model — citizen developers supported by professional developers — creates a balance that maximizes both speed and quality.
Dynamics 365 + Power Platform: A strategic advantage
For business leaders invested in Dynamics 365, the integration with Power Platform is especially powerful. Employees can:
Extend Dynamics 365 Finance with apps that streamline expense reporting
Build automations in Supply Chain Management that reduce manual tracking
Use Power BI to uncover new insights in Customer Service or Sales
These grassroots innovations not only drive efficiency but also align with strategic goals, making Dynamics 365 a living, evolving system rather than a static platform.
Building the right culture for success
To fully realize the benefits, executives must do more than provide tools. They must create a culture that embraces empowerment. This means:
Training employees on Power Platform fundamentals
Establishing clear governance frameworks for security and compliance
Recognizing and rewarding employees who create impactful solutions
Organizations that achieve this balance find that citizen development becomes a powerful retention tool while easing the burden on IT.
The bottom line: Empowering employees to build apps and automations with Dynamics 365 and Power Platform not only addresses the shortage of developer resources but also strengthens workforce loyalty and accelerates innovation.
