Dr Noel Carroll
Citizen Development Lab, J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, NUI Galway
Digital transformation has become a core priority for CEOs in recent years. But just as the pandemic accelerated the need for change through digital transformation, it laid bare the massive global shortage of skilled software developers needed to deliver and operationalise transformations.
Against this backdrop, we are witnessing a new method across industry of delivering low-code development to accelerate and expand digital transformation called “citizen development”. This method hides the sophistication and complexity of coding but empowers subject matter experts to design, develop and deploy applications into production as though they were full-on, experienced coders. This approach leverages recent advances in technologies such as web technology, artificial intelligence and machine learning to hide code complexity while delivering on code functionality.
Citizen development empowers individuals within organisations to create and deliver on opportunities for change and eliminate inefficient processes. Organisations are creating new hyper-agile operating models that enable non-IT developers to create applications in response to business opportunities without dependency on core IT developers.
Citizen development empowers individuals within organisations to create and deliver on opportunities for change and eliminate inefficient processes.
Dr Noel Carroll, Citizen Development Lab and Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, at the J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics, is leading new research initiates on digital transformations and citizen development.
For more information contact [email protected]
Why a Business Information Systems degree is a pathway to opportunity
Katie Lernihan
Engagement Lead, CIM [PROTOPIA] Moonshot Prototyping, Customer Solution Support & Innovation, SAP Product Engineering
Before joining a product engineering firm, Katie Lernihan studied a four-year BSc in Business Information Systems, which gave her a range of career opportunities and skills.
What is your current role?
Since March, I’ve been Engagement Lead for a customer innovation team. I’m working with customers from a range of sectors, including automotive and life sciences, so every day is different. I’ve been at SAP since 2019, when I graduated with a BSc in Business Information Systems from NUI Galway.
Why did you study Business Information Systems?
It provided so many different career opportunities because it mixed business courses such as economics and accounting with tech subjects such as databases and systems analysis. I had the chance to explore different domains within the tech and business industries and work out what I wanted to pursue — which was innovation.
I had the chance to explore different domains within the tech and business industries and work out what I wanted to pursue.
How did it prepare you for your career?
Work placement is part of the BSc, so I did an eight-month presales internship with SAP in 2018, which was invaluable. I also went to a business school in La Rochelle, France, as part of the Erasmus Programme. It also equipped me with a range of soft skills, such as communication and presentation experience.
Do you work with BSc BIS interns in your current company?
I do! They always present so professionally; their knowledge and enthusiasm make it hard to believe they are still undergraduates. There are also many BIS alumni working at SAP in a variety of roles, including developers, project managers and consultants.
