Low-Code vs. Traditional Development: Skill Shifts

By 2025, 70% of enterprise apps will be built using low-code or no-code platforms. This shift is reshaping software development, blending traditional coding expertise with accessible, visual tools. Here's what you need to know:

• Low-code platforms: Simplify app creation with drag-and-drop tools, pre-built components, and visual interfaces.
• Traditional development: Relies on deep coding knowledge, advanced technical skills, and detailed software architecture.
• New hybrid roles: Combine technical and business skills, bridging gaps between IT teams and business users.
• Speed and accessibility: Low-code accelerates development times by up to 90%, while traditional coding focuses on scalability and long-term stability.
• Skill shifts: Low-code demands platform-specific knowledge and business process expertise. Traditional coding requires advanced programming and debugging skills.

Quick Comparison

Low-code empowers more people to create apps, addressing the global developer shortage. But for complex projects requiring customisation or strict compliance, traditional coding remains essential. Balancing both approaches is key to modern development success.

How is Low Code Development different from Traditional Development | Snippet

Required Skills: Traditional vs Low-Code Development

Traditional and low-code development call for different skill sets. Recognising these differences helps developers and organisations choose the right approach for their needs.

Technical Skills

Traditional development relies heavily on advanced technical expertise. Developers must be well-versed in programming languages like Python, Java, C++, or JavaScript. Beyond coding, they need a solid grasp of computer science fundamentals, such as memory management, performance optimisation, and debugging intricate codebases. Many developers specialise in areas like backend systems, frontend frameworks, or mobile app development, often dedicating years to mastering their craft. Database management also remains a critical skill across the board.

Low-code development, on the other hand, shifts the focus to platform-specific knowledge and visual modelling tools [4]. Instead of writing complex code, developers use drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built components, and configuration tools. The emphasis moves from syntax and deep technical knowledge to understanding workflows, integration patterns, and mapping out business processes.

"Low-code development reduces the need for manual coding, allowing developers to focus on building the 20% of an application that differentiates the business." - John Rymer, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester [3]

That said, low-code platforms don't entirely eliminate technical requirements. What changes is the level of abstraction. These platforms manage much of the underlying complexity, enabling developers to focus on business logic and user experience. However, a basic understanding of application design and coding principles is still necessary [1]. Database management, for instance, often involves user-friendly interfaces and visual query builders rather than direct SQL coding [4].

While technical skills are vital, the success of either approach also depends on non-technical abilities.

Non-Technical Skills

The non-technical skills required for traditional and low-code development differ significantly. Traditional development often leans on structured communication and detailed technical documentation. Developers collaborate with other technical experts who are familiar with intricate architectural concepts and can interpret complex specifications.

Low-code development, however, places a stronger emphasis on collaboration across diverse teams [4]. Since these platforms bring in business users and citizen developers, low-code developers must communicate effectively with individuals who may have varying levels of technical expertise.

Analytical thinking and problem-solving also take distinct forms in each approach. Traditional developers focus on activities like debugging, performance analysis, and solving complex algorithmic challenges. This often involves a methodical approach to testing and identifying issues [3]. In contrast, low-code developers need a combination of problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of business processes [4].

For low-code developers, business process knowledge is especially critical. They frequently work alongside business users to transform requirements into functional applications. This demands strong skills in gathering requirements, managing expectations, and translating business needs into technical solutions [4]. Ultimately, the ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders is a cornerstone of low-code success.

How Development Team Roles Are Changing

Low-code platforms are reshaping development teams by moving away from traditional, highly specialised roles to more flexible and collaborative setups.

Specialist vs Generalist Roles

The shift from specialised roles to more versatile generalists marks a significant change in how development teams operate.

In traditional setups, teams rely on a hierarchical structure with clearly defined roles: frontend developers focus on user interfaces, backend developers handle application logic, and database administrators manage data. While this structure allows for deep technical expertise, it often leads to bottlenecks and challenges when troubleshooting or coordinating across teams.

Low-code platforms, on the other hand, promote generalist roles. These platforms use drag-and-drop interfaces and pre-built templates, making it easier for a single developer to oversee an entire application lifecycle. This shift encourages flexibility, clearer communication, and a more adaptive approach to problem-solving. The result? Development speeds can increase by 50–90%, and costs drop as the reliance on large, specialised teams diminishes [5].

This transition is also paving the way for new hybrid roles.

New Hybrid Roles

The rise of low-code platforms has given birth to hybrid roles that blend technical expertise with business acumen, effectively bridging the gap between IT and organisational needs. A prime example is the emergence of citizen developers - individuals from non-technical backgrounds who now actively contribute to app creation. By 2025, it’s expected that 70% of new apps developed by enterprises will utilise low-code or no-code technologies [6].

Roles like solution consultants and low-code specialists are becoming increasingly common. These professionals not only have a deep understanding of low-code platforms but also possess the business insight needed to translate organisational requirements into functional applications. Meanwhile, traditional developers are taking on broader responsibilities, acting as intermediaries between technical and non-technical teams to address customisation and integration challenges.

Low-code platforms also encourage collaboration, enabling business process experts to take a more active role in app development. This shared involvement ensures that teams work cohesively, adopting a unified approach and language for development [7][8].

For organisations looking to build well-rounded teams, Talentblocks offers access to professionals skilled in both technical integration and business process design, ensuring a seamless transition to low-code success.

Changes in Hiring and Training

The rise of low-code development is reshaping how organisations approach both recruitment and skill development. To keep pace, businesses need to rethink their hiring strategies and invest in training programs that bridge the gap between traditional coding expertise and the specific skills required for low-code platforms. This shift aligns closely with the broader trends shaping the tech landscape.

Hiring for Platform Skills

The recruitment process for development roles has undergone a major transformation. Traditionally, hiring focused on candidates with deep coding knowledge and expertise in specific programming languages, frameworks, and databases. Low-code development, however, broadens the talent pool to include citizen developers - individuals with limited coding experience but strong domain expertise [9].

This expanded talent pool creates opportunities for organisations to diversify their hiring practices. Instead of prioritising coding proficiency, companies must assess candidates' ability to work with visual modelling tools, pre-built components, and automation features [3].

When hiring for low-code positions, businesses should focus on candidates with strong platform-specific skills and the ability to integrate low-code solutions into existing systems. Unlike traditional development roles, which often require teams of developers, designers, and data specialists [10], low-code development enables non-technical users to contribute valuable insights from their understanding of business processes [11].

"Growth in digital data, low-code development tools and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted development are among the many factors that enable the democratisation of technology development beyond IT professionals." – Rajesh Kandaswamy, Research Vice President at Gartner [3]

The hiring approach for low-code roles balances technical know-how with business acumen. Traditional hiring prioritises coding and infrastructure expertise, while low-code hiring values candidates who bring domain knowledge and a deep understanding of business processes [9]. Platforms like Talentblocks help organisations find professionals with validated skills in solution architecture and business analysis, ensuring the right mix of technical and business expertise for hybrid roles and collaborative development.

As hiring priorities evolve, training programs must also adapt to prepare both technical and non-technical employees for success in low-code environments.

Training and Skill Development

With the rise of hybrid roles, training programs are now designed to equip both technical professionals and citizen developers with platform-specific skills. Low-code platforms offer an accessible learning experience, empowering users - even those without a traditional software background - to build confidence in their abilities [12].

In fact, around 78% of users engage in targeted low-code training, with over 80% reporting improvements in technical skills and workplace morale. However, 71% of potential users express concerns about insufficient upskilling opportunities [12]. Effective low-code training not only enhances employee satisfaction but also improves retention.

Programs like ITUp's OutSystems Turn Up Boot Camp illustrate how structured 12-week courses can transform participants into certified developers ready to contribute to their organisations.

"(Low- or no-code) gives me the confidence to perform my job above what is expected by my employer." – User, Retail Industry [12]

For traditional developers, training focuses on mastering platform ecosystems, visual development tools, and integration capabilities. Citizen developers, on the other hand, benefit from certifications in platform-specific tools and learning basic connector development skills. The goal isn't to replace deep technical expertise but to complement it with platform proficiency that speeds up development processes.

To address the skills gap and foster collaboration, business leaders should prioritise a strong learning culture. By leveraging low-code technologies, organisations can create an environment where technical and non-technical team members work together seamlessly on application development projects.

How Success Is Measured: Low-Code vs Traditional Development

The way success is evaluated varies significantly between low-code and traditional development methods. Traditional development often prioritises technical precision and long-term durability, while low-code solutions emphasise speed, accessibility, and delivering results that align with business goals. For organisations, understanding these differences is key to selecting the right approach and setting achievable expectations.

Speed vs Technical Quality

Low-code development is all about quick delivery and business impact, whereas traditional methods focus on building systems with strong performance, scalability, security, and long-term sustainability. This emphasis on speed in low-code solutions often shapes how organisations deal with technical debt over time.

The speed advantage of low-code platforms is striking. Studies reveal that 71% of organisations using citizen development have cut development times by at least half, and 29% have achieved a twofold or greater improvement in delivery speed [13]. These results are largely due to features like drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built modules, and simplified deployment workflows.

Low-code's success is often measured by metrics such as time-to-market, user adoption rates, and a reduction in IT backlogs [1]. For example, 90% of developers working with low-code platforms report having fewer than five app requests in their backlog each month [13]. This efficiency has also been noted to positively influence organisational change.

"Developers in an organisation are scarce. It's better to manage things ourselves, especially if we have short timelines." – Ajit Singh, Chief Product Manager, Caratlane [13]

Business leaders have also observed how low-code platforms foster a sense of inclusion and engagement across teams, as more employees can contribute to solving technical challenges.

"Once you take steps towards digitisation, change management across the organisation becomes much easier. People feel part of the transformation. They see the benefits of the initiatives you are running and are much keener to get involved." – Akash Khurana, CIO, McDermott [13]

Managing Technical Debt

Technical debt is a critical factor in long-term project success. In traditional development, teams invest heavily in practices like code reviews, refactoring, and architectural improvements to manage this debt. Neglecting these tasks can lead to systems that are difficult and costly to maintain or upgrade [15][16].

Low-code platforms, on the other hand, ease some of these challenges by offering automatic updates and managed infrastructure [16]. However, if not carefully managed, these platforms can create issues like an overflow of uncoordinated microapps or integration challenges [14].

"Low code without integration, for this reason, is viewed as a tech debt expander." – Myles F. Suer [14]

To maximise the benefits of low-code, organisations need proactive governance. This includes setting coding standards, conducting regular reviews, and establishing clear integration protocols [15]. Monitoring technical debt regularly, combined with feedback from stakeholders and thorough documentation, ensures that development practices remain sustainable over time [15].

Here’s a quick comparison of the two approaches:

In today’s rapidly changing development environment, organisations can turn to Talentblocks for access to professionals who understand both traditional and low-code ecosystems. These experts can guide teams in making informed decisions about development and governance strategies.

Conclusion: Main Points on Skill Changes

The move from traditional development to low-code platforms is reshaping not just how software is built but also the skills and roles within development teams. Traditional development still requires advanced coding expertise, in-depth knowledge of software architecture, and highly specialised technical skills - abilities that often take years to develop. On the other hand, low-code platforms enable non-experts, including citizen developers and business users, to create functional applications. This shift allows for greater collaboration between technical and non-technical team members, breaking down silos and fostering more inclusive development environments [2].

Rather than eliminating roles, this change is redefining them. Gartner estimates that by 2025, 70% of new applications will be developed using low-code or no-code platforms [3]. This evolution allows development teams to accomplish more in less time while retaining essential roles like product managers, business analysts, scrum masters, developers, and testers [18]. Additionally, hybrid roles are emerging, making teams more adaptable to the unique demands of each project.

"Low-code development reduces the need for manual coding, allowing developers to focus on building the 20% of an application that differentiates the business."

• John Rymer, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester [3]

While low-code platforms can make development up to ten times faster than traditional methods, as Forrester research highlights [19], this speed comes with trade-offs. Without proper governance, the risk of accumulating technical debt increases. Traditional development, meanwhile, remains essential when projects require deep customisation, strict regulatory compliance, or long-term architectural stability.

The ongoing skills shortage is also accelerating this transformation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a shortfall of 1.2 million software developers by 2026 [17]. Low-code platforms address this gap by enabling non-technical teams to contribute to development tasks while freeing up experienced developers to focus on complex, high-value projects. This dual approach requires organisations to carefully plan how they balance rapid delivery with technical precision.

To thrive in this changing landscape, businesses need professionals who understand both traditional development and low-code platforms. Specialist services like Talentblocks can help connect organisations with experts in solution architecture, data engineering, and business analysis - key players in navigating these complexities and choosing the right development strategies.

Ultimately, success will depend on blending traditional and low-code approaches effectively, while building teams with the versatile skills needed to excel in both worlds.

FAQs

How can organisations balance low-code and traditional development to boost productivity and innovation?

Organisations can strike the right balance between low-code and traditional development by adopting a hybrid approach that leverages the strengths of both. Low-code platforms simplify and speed up application development by offering visual tools and pre-built components, making it easier for non-technical team members to play a role in creating software. This can help cut down development time, ease IT bottlenecks, and encourage fresh ideas across teams.

At the same time, traditional development remains essential for crafting complex, tailored applications and ensuring seamless integration with existing systems. By using low-code for quick prototypes and reserving traditional coding for more intricate, mission-critical projects, organisations can boost efficiency while allowing developers to focus on high-priority tasks. This method not only enhances productivity but also ensures software quality and scalability stay intact.

What should businesses consider when moving from traditional development to low-code platforms?

Adapting to Low-Code Platforms

Switching to low-code platforms means businesses need to rethink the skills their teams require. Traditional software development has always leaned on seasoned developers with strong coding expertise. In contrast, low-code platforms allow individuals with little to no coding background to create applications. This shift not only broadens the scope of who can contribute to development but also highlights the need for training and ongoing support to help users maximise the potential of these tools.

Another key consideration is how well these platforms fit into a company’s current systems and workflows. Seamless integration is essential, but it doesn’t stop there - organisations must also implement clear governance policies, robust security protocols, and structured workflows to maintain consistency and control. While low-code platforms promise faster development and reduced costs, these advantages are only achievable with thoughtful planning and execution.

How do low-code platforms change team roles, and what skills should developers focus on in Australia?

Low-code platforms are transforming how development teams operate by encouraging stronger collaboration between technical and non-technical members. These platforms give citizen developers - business professionals with minimal coding knowledge - the ability to actively participate in projects. This not only lightens the reliance on specialised developers but also accelerates project timelines. The result? A more agile and collaborative development process where IT and business teams can work together to drive innovation.

For developers in Australia, honing complementary skills is crucial in this evolving landscape. A solid grasp of application architecture, API integrations, and data management is still essential, as these form the backbone of many low-code solutions. Familiarity with specific low-code platforms is also beneficial, as advanced features may still require coding know-how. On top of that, strong collaboration and project management abilities are vital, as these environments thrive on teamwork and iterative workflows.