Every day, government employees work hard to improve services that millions rely on, from scheduling appointments to managing benefits. Although many of these employees aren’t traditional coders, they have great ideas and the drive to solve problems quickly. However, they often wait weeks or months for IT teams to build the tools they need.
Thankfully, no-code/low-code platforms change this. They let everyday staff create apps themselves without writing a single line of code. Moreover, these platforms empower people who understand challenges first-hand to build solutions fast and make a real impact.
In this blog, we’ll show how federal agencies use no-code/low-code to innovate from within, improve citizen services, and transform government technology. So, are you ready to see how this revolution puts the power in the hands of the people? Let’s dive in.
What Are No-Code and Low-Code Platforms?
No-code platforms let users build apps without writing code. Meanwhile, low-code platforms require minimal coding, often just for customization. Both use drag-and-drop interfaces, pre-built templates, and automation features.
These tools are ideal for:
• Automating workflows
• Creating internal dashboards
• Building citizen-facing services
As a result, they reduce reliance on IT departments and allow faster deployment of digital solutions.
Why the Government Is Embracing This Revolution
Federal agencies face growing pressure to modernize. Legacy systems are expensive and slow to update. Therefore, no-code/low-code platforms offer a faster, more flexible alternative.
For example, the General Services Administration (GSA) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) are leading this shift. They’ve launched marketplaces and communities of practice to support adoption.
Key drivers include:
• Faster time to deployment
• Lower development costs
• Empowered non-technical staff
• Improved citizen services
Citizen Developers: A New Workforce Model
The VA’s Citizen Developer Program enables employees to build their own tools using no-code platforms. This approach reduces IT bottlenecks and encourages innovation from within.
For instance, staff can automate repetitive tasks like:
• Scheduling
• Data entry
• Report generation
Consequently, this model boosts productivity and morale. It also ensures that solutions are built by the people who understand the problems best.
Training and Governance: Building Smartly
The GSA’s Low-Code/No-Code Subcommunity of Practice provides training, best practices, and case studies. This way, agencies adopt these tools responsibly.
Key focus areas include:
• Security and compliance
• Avoiding vendor lock-in
• Managing app sprawl
• Ensuring accessibility
In addition, workshops and webinars help teams build skills and avoid common pitfalls.
Real-World Example: VA’s Digital Marketplace
The VA’s Digital Product Marketplace lists over 200 pre-approved no-code and low-code tools.
These include platforms for:
• Healthcare communication
• Financial management
• Human resources
• Workflow automation
Thus, agencies can choose tools that meet federal standards, reducing procurement time and risk.
One standout example is Artera Harmony, a no-code platform that automates patient messaging and appointment reminders. It improves care coordination without requiring custom software development.
Railroad Retirement Board: A Case Study in Modernization
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) is investing $6 million to transition to a low-code/no-code platform.
This move will:
• Consolidate legacy systems
• Provide a unified dashboard for users
• Improve service delivery for retirees and their families
Indeed, this is a prime example of how no-code tools can modernize critical public services without massive IT overhauls.
Integration with Legacy Systems
Many agencies still rely on legacy infrastructure. Fortunately, no-code/low-code platforms can bridge the gap.
The Digital Transformation Center (DTC) at the VA uses middleware to connect new no-code apps with older systems.
This approach allows gradual modernization without disrupting essential services.
Benefits include:
• Real-time data syncing
• Reduced manual entry
• Better user experiences
Data-Driven Decisions with No-Code Tools
No-code platforms often include built-in analytics. This capability helps agencies make informed decisions quickly.
For instance, dashboards can track:
• Application usage
• Service response times
• Citizen satisfaction
Therefore, these insights support continuous improvement and transparency.
Security and Compliance: A Top Priority
Security is extremely important in government technology. The GSA and VA take secure design seriously for all no-code/low-code deployments.
The best practices for deployments have:
• Role-based access control to limit data accessibility
• Data encryption in transit and at rest
• Regular audits and consistent documentation
Additionally, the agencies talk about complying with federal standards, such as FISMA and Section 508, to provide overall performance and accessibility details.
Collaboration Across Industries
The GSA’s IT Modernization Division, promotes collaboration through Communities of Practice. These groups share:
• Use cases
• Lessons learned
• Vendor analyses
As a result, removes duplication and speeds adoption across the federal landscape.
Innovation at Scale
No-code/low-code platforms are not just for small projects. In fact, they’re being used to:
• Launch public-facing portals
• Automate benefits processing
• Streamline procurement
For example, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is using digital modernization to improve service delivery for over 70 million Americans.
Clearly, no-code tools are part of this transformation.
Measuring Impact
Agencies measure success based on metrics such as
• Time savings
• Cost savings
• User satisfaction
For example, the VA reports improved employee engagement and shorter deployment cycles. on the VA’s Citizen Developer Program.
As a result, using these metrics to justify ongoing investment and inform future investments.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite the benefits, challenges remain:
• Security issues from apps that are poorly built
• Lack of standardization
• Training gaps
• Integration complexity
However, agencies are already looking to tackle many of these challenges – through governance frameworks, new training programs, and new shared services across agencies.
The Future of Government Tech
The no-code/low-code revolution in 2025 is just the beginning. Future trends include:
• AI-assisted app building
• Cross-agency app sharing
• Greater use of open-source components
As these platforms mature, they’ll support more complex use cases and deeper integrations.
Final Thoughts
The no-code/low-code revolution in 2025 is reshaping how the U.S. government delivers digital services. It empowers employees, reduces costs, and accelerates innovation.
With strong leadership from agencies like the VA, GSA, and SSA, this movement is gaining momentum. Ultimately, the future of public service is faster, smarter, and more accessible—without writing a single line of code.
Resources
U.S. General Services Administration- Low code/no code (LC/NC) Uncovering the pros and cons of rapid tech deployment
National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies- Low-Code/No-Code Development Mastery Workshop
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