You’ve likely heard the buzz: Microsoft Power Platform promises to empower anyone to build apps, automate workflows, and drive business transformation – no deep IT expertise required. 

It sounds like a dream solution. 

But as Lachlan Withers from Acclario IT points out, “Transformation isn’t as simple as dragging and dropping to get a solution that meets business requirements.” For Australian IT leaders, the true power of the platform lies not just in its low-code tools, but in how well you manage people, governance, and strategic alignment. 

The Low-Code Illusion That Trips You Up 

Everyone talks about “citizen developers” creating apps with zero coding. And sure, that’s part of the story. But as Lachlan puts it: 

“Enterprise-grade apps require professional development. You need structure, documentation, and governance – or you’ll end up with a mess.” 

The low-code/no-code market is booming worldwide. In Australia, the low-code development platform market is expected to grow at a 27.4% CAGR and reach $6.3 billion by 2030. 

But with this rapid growth comes risk: a 2024 Forrester report found 60% of low-code apps fail to meet business expectations due to poor planning and governance. That’s why the DIY “citizen developer” hype doesn’t cut it for serious enterprise needs. 

Quick Wins Don’t Mean Skimping on Scale 

Here’s a common mistake: jumping in too quickly – trying to build the biggest app or automate everything from day one. 

As Lachlan Withers explains: 
“We focus on early wins – like digitising a form or developing a basic kiosk app as a proof of concept. But we always build with future growth in mind. This encourages stakeholder engagement and builds trust in the new system.” 

It’s a practical and proven approach. According to a 2023 McKinsey report, top-performing organisations are 1.6 times more likely to engage nontechnical employees in building AI solutions using low-code and no-code platforms. Starting small while empowering a wider team sets the stage for scalable, sustainable transformation. 

Governance Is Your Best Friend – Not the Enemy 

Security, licensing, ongoing support – these aren’t things you tack on later. They’re the foundation. 

“We help clients build governance into their Power Platform strategy from day one.” 

Power Platform governance is critical in Australia, where cybersecurity incidents rose 15% year-on-year in 2024. Without governance, you risk costly data breaches, license overspend, and support nightmares. Acclario ensures your governance framework covers environment strategy, security roles, and lifecycle management upfront. 

Get Users Onboard Early – and Keep Them There 

No matter how great your app is, if people don’t use it, it’s a failure. 

“We involve users early, offer training in different formats, and make sure they feel ownership. That’s how you get adoption.” 

Change management is key. Industry data shows that organisations involving end-users from the start see 70% higher adoption rates. That means workshops, pilots, tailored training, and constant feedback loops – not “build it and hope they come.” 

So, What’s the Bottom Line? 

Power Platform isn’t a “set and forget” tool. It’s a powerful enabler – but only if you treat it like the enterprise platform it is. 

That means ditching the low-code fairy tale, investing in expert guidance, putting governance first, and keeping users front and centre. 

Want to chat about how to get your Power Platform projects right the first time?

Reach out to Acclario IT – we’re here to help.