Platform Product Development from edX

Are you someone who likes to “tinker with technology” but don’t know anything about writing code or programming languages? This class will satisfy that excitement by diving headfirst into a number of well-known Low Code/No Code platforms and their no-code tools without the perquisite of coding skills. Showing you the fundamentals to get you interested to see more.

We will cover exciting topics like data modeling best practices, creating a solid and consistent user experience and building automations and workflows your users will love. We will also touch on some of the LCNC strategies in support of integrations (leveraging open APIs) and discuss strategies for managing data sources.

In the first course (Platform Product Essentials) of this certificate, we discussed some of the history behind LCNC platforms and the roles of the key players that support your success when building applications.

This class is all about app development. Students will be asked to dive into a LCNC tool and define and build a LCNC app using the methodologies provided to create no-code solutions. For this class we will dive into the functionality of your own app. You can come out of this course calling yourself an app builder or, even better, a citizen developer!

As part of this class, we will be assigned a common use case and build an app front/dashboard. Here we will focus on the front-end and back-end perspective through low-code app development and different no-code softwares. These are intentionally designed so that non-programmers, who have never written a single line of code, can still develop.

This course will consist of the following lectures:

Getting to know your application Part1. What are the core tenants of your selected platform and how do they work? This class will focus on using drag and drop tools to start your development process.
Getting to know your application Part 2. How far can you go with customization when building apps? How far can you go until it breaks? What happens when it does? Here we will look at leveraging layout templates for your apps and how to enhance your web application so business users will love them. We will also look into some custom code elements that can be used in your digital transformation.
Data Sources. What is your data and where does it come from?
Data Modeling. Ensuring consistency in your data from these code applications.
User Experience. If your user needs instructions, you are doing something wrong.
System Testing. How to ensure your application is of the highest quality. Is your user interface up to par with this low-code development?
Code promotion - and what does that mean?

What's inside

Learning objectives

How to define and understand the core tenants of your lcnc platform. and low-code tools.
How to leverage lcnc platforms to integrate business systems and automate your business.
Leveraging lcnc automation and system tools to support repeatable business processes and improve productivity.

Understand the limits and benefits of lcnc, and how to best leverage the difference between low code and high code for mobile applications and web apps.
How to structure your data to ensure quality and usefulness of your lcnc applications over time that meets your business needs.
Ensuring the best user experience.

How to define and understand the core tenants of your lcnc platform. and low-code tools.
How to leverage lcnc platforms to integrate business systems and automate your business.
Leveraging lcnc automation and system tools to support repeatable business processes and improve productivity.
Understand the limits and benefits of lcnc, and how to best leverage the difference between low code and high code for mobile applications and web apps.
How to structure your data to ensure quality and usefulness of your lcnc applications over time that meets your business needs.
Ensuring the best user experience.

Syllabus

Week 1: Data Modeling. A Primer of data modeling and business processing for your platform.

Week 2: Testing and User Experience. Diving into the Low Code side of the user experience and application development.

Week 3: Deployment Practices and Automation. How to ensure system stability and build automations productive to support your business transformation.

Week 4: Data Source and Documentation. Providing the right messages back to the users in real-time and structuring your data will revolutionize how business is done.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Primary audience is anyone interested in Low-code/No-code (LCNC) application development and citizen development

Meets an interest in "tinkering with technology" and has no coding or programming language prerequisites

Provides a comprehensive approach to LCNC development and deployment

Involves the development of a working app in the course

Develops skills in data modeling, UX, automation, and LCNC integrations

Provides understanding of LCNC benefits and limitations

Reviews summary

Platform development essentials

Learners say this course provides a solid basis for developing apps using various platforms. It offers a good overview of platform basics, with videos and written explanations about Salesforce, ServiceNow, and other solutions.

Delivers content through videos and written explanations.

"Videos & written explanations to learn about Salesforce, Servicenow and other solutions and how to deal with LCNC"

"Videos & written explanations to learn about Salesforce, Servicenow and other solutions and how to deal with LCNC."

Provides a strong foundation for platform app development.

"This course has a lot of useful information and provides a solid basis for creating apps using various platforms."

"Good overview to gain basic knowledge about platforms in general."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Platform Product Development with these activities:

Organize and Review Course Materials

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Organize and review notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams to reinforce your understanding and prepare for upcoming assessments.

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Gather and organize all relevant course materials.
Review notes and highlight key concepts.
Attempt practice questions and review solutions.

Review Technology and Digital Tools

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Refresh your knowledge of no-code/low-code platforms and tools to prepare for the course.

Browse courses on Technology

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Review introductory articles or blog posts on no-code/low-code.
Explore different no-code/low-code platforms and their features.
Try out a few basic tutorials or examples to get hands-on experience.

Exercise in Low-Code/No-Code Development

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Build Your Confidence: Practice using no-code and low-code tools to enhance your app development skills and reinforce what you've learned in class.

Browse courses on No-Code Development

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Choose an LCNC platform or tool.
Build a simple app using drag-and-drop tools.
Test your app and identify areas for improvement.

Six other activities

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Connect with Experienced LCNC Developers

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Connect with experienced developers to gain insights and learn best practices in LCNC development.

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Attend industry events or online meetups to network with professionals.
Reach out to professionals on LinkedIn or other professional networking platforms.
Consider hiring a mentor to provide personalized guidance and support.

Practice Building Simple LCNC Applications

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Build simple applications using no-code/low-code tools to reinforce your learning and gain practical experience.

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Choose a platform and create a free account.
Follow tutorials or online courses to build basic applications.
Experiment with different features and functionalities of the platform.

Participate in LCNC Study Groups or Discussion Forums

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Join study groups or participate in discussion forums to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and enhance your understanding through collaborative learning.

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Find and join relevant LCNC study groups or discussion forums.
Actively participate in discussions and ask questions.
Share your knowledge and insights with others.

Write a Blog Post or Article on LCNC

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Create a blog post or article that shares your knowledge and understanding of no-code/low-code development, helping you retain and reinforce your learning.

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Choose a specific topic related to LCNC that you want to write about.
Research and gather information from reliable sources.
Write a draft and share it with others for feedback.
Publish your blog post or article on an appropriate platform.

Participate in Low-Code/No-Code Hackathons or Challenges

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Challenge yourself by participating in hackathons or challenges to apply your skills and collaborate with others, enhancing your learning and problem-solving abilities.

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Find and register for relevant hackathons or challenges.
Form a team or work individually to develop an innovative solution.
Submit your project and get feedback from industry experts.

Build a Real-World LCNC Project

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Apply your skills to build a real-world application using no-code/low-code tools, showcasing your capabilities and deepening your understanding.

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Identify a problem or opportunity that can be addressed with an LCNC solution.
Design and plan your application, including features and functionalities.
Develop your application using an appropriate LCNC platform.
Test and refine your application to ensure optimal performance.
Deploy your application and share it with others.

Career center

Learners who complete Platform Product Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the vision and execution of a product, ensuring it meets the needs of the market and users. The Platform Product Development course can help aspiring Product Managers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role. The course will provide them with a strong foundation in data modeling, user experience design, and automation, all of which are essential skills for Product Managers. Additionally, the course will help students understand the core tenants of low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms, which are increasingly being used to develop and deploy products quickly and efficiently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Software Developer

Software Developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. The Platform Product Development course can help aspiring Software Developers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role. The course will provide them with a strong foundation in data modeling, user experience design, and automation, all of which are essential skills for Software Developers. Additionally, the course will help students understand the core tenants of LCNC platforms, which are increasingly being used to develop and deploy software applications quickly and efficiently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business needs and developing solutions to improve efficiency and productivity. The Platform Product Development course can help aspiring Business Analysts develop the skills they need to succeed in this role. The course will provide them with a strong foundation in data modeling, user experience design, and automation, all of which are essential skills for Business Analysts. Additionally, the course will help students understand the core tenants of LCNC platforms, which are increasingly being used to develop and deploy solutions quickly and efficiently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Data Analyst

Data Analysts are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make better decisions. The Platform Product Development course can help aspiring Data Analysts develop the skills they need to succeed in this role. The course will provide them with a strong foundation in data modeling, data sources, and data management, all of which are essential skills for Data Analysts. Additionally, the course will help students understand the core tenants of LCNC platforms, which are increasingly being used to collect, analyze, and interpret data quickly and efficiently.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. The Platform Product Development course can help aspiring Project Managers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role. The course will provide them with a strong foundation in project management methodologies, risk management, and stakeholder management, all of which are essential skills for Project Managers. Additionally, the course will help students understand the core tenants of LCNC platforms, which are increasingly being used to manage projects quickly and efficiently.

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UX Designer

UX Designers are responsible for designing the user experience of products and services. The Platform Product Development course can help aspiring UX Designers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role. The course will provide them with a strong foundation in user experience design principles, interaction design, and usability testing, all of which are essential skills for UX Designers. Additionally, the course will help students understand the core tenants of LCNC platforms, which are increasingly being used to design and develop user interfaces quickly and efficiently.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts are responsible for analyzing and designing computer systems. The Platform Product Development course can help aspiring Systems Analysts develop the skills they need to succeed in this role. The course will provide them with a strong foundation in systems analysis techniques, data modeling, and software development, all of which are essential skills for Systems Analysts. Additionally, the course will help students understand the core tenants of LCNC platforms, which are increasingly being used to analyze and design computer systems quickly and efficiently.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators are responsible for managing and maintaining databases. The Platform Product Development course can help aspiring Database Administrators develop the skills they need to succeed in this role. The course will provide them with a strong foundation in database management systems, data modeling, and data security, all of which are essential skills for Database Administrators. Additionally, the course will help students understand the core tenants of LCNC platforms, which are increasingly being used to manage and maintain databases quickly and efficiently.

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Information Architect

Information Architects are responsible for designing and organizing the structure and content of websites and other digital products. The Platform Product Development course can help aspiring Information Architects develop the skills they need to succeed in this role. The course will provide them with a strong foundation in information architecture principles, content strategy, and user experience design, all of which are essential skills for Information Architects. Additionally, the course will help students understand the core tenants of LCNC platforms, which are increasingly being used to design and organize the structure and content of websites and other digital products quickly and efficiently.

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Software Tester

Software Testers are responsible for testing software applications to ensure they meet the requirements and are free of defects. The Platform Product Development course can help aspiring Software Testers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role. The course will provide them with a strong foundation in software testing principles, test design, and test execution, all of which are essential skills for Software Testers. Additionally, the course will help students understand the core tenants of LCNC platforms, which are increasingly being used to test software applications quickly and efficiently.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers are responsible for writing and editing technical documentation. The Platform Product Development course can help aspiring Technical Writers develop the skills they need to succeed in this role. The course will provide them with a strong foundation in technical writing principles, documentation design, and user experience design, all of which are essential skills for Technical Writers. Additionally, the course will help students understand the core tenants of LCNC platforms, which are increasingly being used to create and manage technical documentation quickly and efficiently.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to help businesses make better decisions. While the Platform Product Development course does not directly cover data science, it can provide aspiring Data Scientists with a strong foundation in data modeling, data sources, and data management, all of which are essential skills for Data Scientists.

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Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers are responsible for writing and maintaining computer programs. While the Platform Product Development course does not directly cover computer programming, it can provide aspiring Computer Programmers with a strong foundation in data modeling, user experience design, and automation, all of which are essential skills for Computer Programmers.

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Web Developer

Web Developers are responsible for designing and developing websites. While the Platform Product Development course does not directly cover web development, it can provide aspiring Web Developers with a strong foundation in data modeling, user experience design, and automation, all of which are essential skills for Web Developers.

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IT Consultant

IT Consultants are responsible for providing advice and guidance to businesses on how to use technology to improve their operations. While the Platform Product Development course does not directly cover IT consulting, it can provide aspiring IT Consultants with a strong foundation in data modeling, user experience design, and automation, all of which are essential skills for IT Consultants.

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