Intuit analyzes what drives the DIY app developer
Many app and software developers are not getting the support or recognition from IT departments that they need, based on new research from QuickBase, a unit of Intuit.
Specifically, nearly one in five information workers at mid- to large enterprises have built or customized their own apps or software for work purposes without support from IT.
For reference, Intuit and Global Strategy Group surveyed more than 900 information workers at companies with more than 100 employees in October 2011.
Researchers asked participants if they felt empowered to solve customer and work process problems on their own, as well as whether employees were sanctioned by corporate IT departments to use technologies of their choice to do so.
A breakdown of these do-it-yourself app developers in various industries can be seen in the graph below. While most DIY developers seem to be found in computer and IT services, there were many more within financial services that found themselves to be "non-empowered."
The support that some of these DIY workers doesn't necessarily mean more resources in terms of money, manpower or technology. It really can be simple as publicizing one's success within the company, therefore leading to greater job satisfaction.
Of course, monetary compensation would be welcomed as well. In the absence of public recognition, researchers found that nearly six in 10 developers wanted a response in the form of financial compensation.
Allison Mnookin, vice president and general manager of Intuit QuickBase, explained in the report how valuable and necessary recognition (in any form) is to both employees and the company overall:
Motivating do-it-yourself app creators fuels greater job satisfaction. Offering support and recognizing their work, in one way or another, pays off. These employees are going above and beyond their job descriptions to make their teams more efficient and solve problems for their companies because they want to. If management endorses and expects this type of internal innovation, staff will not feel as entitled to compensation.
Chart via Intuit
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