Within the last few years, some corporate IT managers have started to ask an intriguing question: how do we support end user developers? These are employees who modify or create software to become more effective in their primary jobs as research scientists, financial analysts, sales, and other business roles.

The phenomenon is not new; it first took off in the 1980's with the introduction of microcomputers and electronic spreadsheets, but recently it has reached a tipping point. Instead of being tolerated or disparaged by IT staff (who sometimes call it "shadow computing"), it's emerging as a viable development option. In this article, we look at end user prototyping and development — what is it, what are its pros and cons, and what opportunities does it hold for information professionals?

What is end user development?
End user development can be thought of as do-it-yourself computing in a business setting. It rarely shows up in a job description and is often done in the employee's spare time — on the lunch break, at the end of the day, or at home. It requires skill, creativity, persistence, and sometimes special tools, but it can deliver quick results and can be tailored to local requirements. There are several reasons why end user development is gaining visibility and acceptance now.

Includes bibliography.

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Created on February 6, 2006 l Updated on February 27, 2008