🖍️LCNC to build MVPs
This playbook provides practical guidance on leveraging low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms to build minimum viable products (MVPs) and early stage products.
Overview
An MVP is a launchable version of a product with just enough features to enable initial user validation and feedback. MVPs focus on solving a core customer problem rather than having full capabilities.
LCNC provides a fast, low cost way to build and iterate on MVP versions before major coding investment. LCNC can also power ongoing iteration after launch.
Key benefits of using LCNC for MVPs:
Faster build speed – Create working prototypes in days/weeks rather than months
Lower cost – Reduce dev resources needed through configuration vs coding
Quick feedback loops – Shorten time between build and user feedback
Easy modifications – Improve and pivot dynamically based on feedback
Capture knowledge – Embed logic and integrations for reuse in production system
Cross-functional – Enable wider team participation in building
This playbook focuses on hands-on tips for developers, product managers, and citizen developers to utilize LCNC for MVP builds and post-launch releases.
Choosing LCNC Platforms
Numerous LCNC platforms exist across categories:
General Purpose Platforms
Appian, Mendix, OutSystems, Betty Blocks, Quickbase
Web Site Builders
Bubble, Webflow
Mobile App Builders
Thunkable, AppSheet
Process Automation
Zapier, Tray.io
Forms / Databases
Airtable, Smartsheet
Analytics / Business Intelligence
Knime, Tableau
Consider these factors when selecting LCNC platforms:
App needs – Web, mobile, IoT, database, etc
User skill levels – Coding vs no-coding interfaces
Learning curve – Ramp up time for proficiency
Scalability needs – Data, traffic volumes expected
Customization needs – Where unique code may be required
Integration needs – With legacy systems, data sources
Deployment requirements – Cloud, on-prem, hybrid
Security needs – Encryption, access controls
Community support – Open source libraries and connectors
Team collaboration – Concurrent user support
Evaluate options upfront based on technical and user workflow needs.
Web App Builders
Web app builders like Bubble and Webflow provide visual, declarative interfaces for building web applications without coding. Key features:
Drag and drop placement of UI components
Libraries of customizable widgets and templates
Responsive design adapts UIs across devices
Bind data, logic, and actions to components
Model data schemas and relationships
Build forms, charts, dashboards, reports
User registration, authentication, access control
Hosting, scalability, security handled natively
Export generated code to migrate elsewhere
With web app builders, entire working web apps can be built visually with minimal code.
Example Build Checklist
Map key app screens and workflows
Define data models and relationships
Design responsive page layouts
Drag-and-drop UI components
Connect UI to data sources
Apply formulas and rules to components
Set up routing between pages
Model business logic workflows
Build forms for data entry
Create charts and dashboards
Set up user registration and login
Implement access control rules
Connect to external databases
Test across device sizes
Tips for Success
Start with a simple but useful core app flow rather than overcomplicated MVP
Iterate on UI/UX first before adding complex logic
Model required data structure upfront
Build reusable UI patterns and templates
Establish common governance practices early
Instrument analytics events and usage tracking
Enable concurrent users and collaboration
Process Automation Platforms
Tools like Zapier andTray.io allow creating integrations and task workflows between apps visually with no coding.
When to Use
Great for automating processes involving multiple SaaS apps. Example uses:
Sync data across sales, marketing, support systems
Automate lead handoffs from form fills to CRM
Trigger notifications on events
Pull data from documents to databases
Orchestrate multi-step workflows
Limitations
Light app logic. Challenging for complex logic beyond basic triggers and transformations.
Example Build Checklist
Identify apps involved in workflow
Catalog available triggers from each app
Map logical flow of steps
Use prebuilt connectors between apps
Configure branching logic
Shape and move data between apps
Set up notifications and alerts
Create dashboard to monitor automation
Handle errors and retries
Document process assumptions
Tips for Success
Complete manual process first to identify all edge cases
Address data consistency across apps
Pause automations rather than delete during changes
Test with subsets before full rollout
Check automation logs for performance visibility
Keep automations focused vs overly complex
Supplementary Coding
Some common cases where supplementary coding augments LCNC capabilities for MVPs:
Customizing generated code – Extend UI behavior and styling
Advanced logic – Unique algorithms or machine learning
Native device functionality – Mobile camera, GPS etc
3rd party libraries – Visualization, frameworks
Performance optimizations – Processing large data volumes
Migrating legacy data – Importing existing databases
Custom endpoints – Exposing APIs not available in LCNC natively
Integrate code seamlessly into LCNC platforms via extensions, web components, hooks, and configuration APIs provided.
Post-Launch Considerations
LCNC remains highly relevant after initial product launch:
Ongoing User Feedback
Survey users to identify enhancements
Review feedback tickets to find trends
A/B test and experiment with new features
Usage Analytics
Analyze usage data to find adoption patterns
Identify low usage features to remove
Monitor performance to address bottlenecks
Iteration Cadence
Establish a release schedule to push updates
Develop feature roadmap aligning business goals
Customer Support
Build help documentation for common issues
Classify support tickets by theme
Proactively create self-help tools
Technical Debt Management
Audit and refactor code built up over releases
Maintain architecture docs and modularity
Retire legacy integrations and features
Using LCNC post-launch speeds responding to user feedback and changing business needs.
Team Structure Considerations
Optimizing use of LCNC requires adapting team structures and roles:
Citizen developers – Enable subject matter experts to build apps
LCNC specialists – Focus on platform expertise and governance
Product managers – Shift from features to problem discovery
Full stack developers – Develop shared services and data layers
Automation engineers – Build and manage automated processes
UX designers – Elevate user experience across products
Technical architects – Define integration patterns and data model standards
Blending professional developers with business teams enables maximizing productivity from LCNC.
Training Resources
Many resources exist for rapidly skilling up on popular LCNC platforms:
Vendor docs and tutorials – Official getting started guides
Community forums – Q&A from expert users
Online courses – Structured classes for ramp up
Video tutorials – Short form demos on YouTube
Templates and examples – Foundation to build upon
Conferences – Sessions with customer case studies
Certifications – Validating and recognizing expertise
Hackathons – Learning together by building apps
Take advantage of these resources to accelerate your LCNC journey.
In Closing
LCNC provides a fast track to build and iterate on MVP versions of products to validate market viability before major dev investments. Follow an iterative build-measure-learn approach:
Identify core user problem and minimum feature set
Prototype quickly with LCNC platforms
Release to small user segments and collect feedback
Analyze usage data and refine based on insights
Expand features incrementally while staying lean
Adopting LCNC allows small teams to punch above their weight in innovating successful digital products. Integrate LCNC into your toolset to build outstanding MVPs and beyond.
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