FlowX AI leader: A low-code lowdown on Agile DevOps
Agile software application development principles aligned with modern DevOps methodologies are of course central to the way many teams are building cloud-native applications today.
Combined with low-code advancements and AI-fuelled automation accelerators, it’s easy to imagine a force multiplier effect.
But implementing Agile and DevOps with low-code in the context of configurable SaaS platforms has challenges and there are some fairly significant bumps in the road if we contrast these methods to ‘traditional coding’ and deployment in public cloud environments.
Bogdan Raduta, head of AI at FlowX provides some much-needed directions through the new route map of code configuration.
Because of Agile’s adherence to and insistence upon adaptability and rapid iteration, developers in this environment are more often configuring existing platforms to meet specific business needs rather than building from scratch.
Raduta points out that Agile methodologies support this by promoting continuous feedback, collaboration and incremental improvements, allowing teams to quickly adjust to changing requirements.
“Organisations can deliver tailored solutions faster, ensuring that their products stay aligned with customer expectations and market demands. By implementing Agile in a configurable SaaS context, companies can accelerate time-to-market, enhance product quality and maintain flexibility in a dynamic environment,” said Raduta.
Limitations & trade-offs
Raduta: Agile teams must closely collaborate with SaaS providers to ensure compatibility and timely updates.
The FlowX team suggest that SaaS platforms often provide out-of-the-box functionality, shortening the development cycle but requiring teams to adapt to the platform’s limitations. This means that Agile teams must closely collaborate with SaaS providers to ensure compatibility and timely updates.
The tradeoff here is that time ends up being spent concentrating on emphasising configuration within the SaaS framework rather than developing new code, which impacts sprint planning and backlog prioritisation.
“Low-code platforms democratise software development, enabling both technical and non-technical users to create applications with minimal hand-coding. While Agile principles remain relevant, their implementation on low-code platforms introduces distinct differences,” advises Raduta. “Agile teams on low-code platforms often include citizen developers, which changes team dynamics and requires a shift in traditional roles and responsibilities. While low-code accelerates development, Agile practices must incorporate governance and quality checks to ensure scalable, secure and compliant solutions.
On the road ahead, Raduta says that DevOps practices, including continuous integration (CI), continuous delivery (CD) and continuous testing, are crucial for maintaining quality and velocity in software development. However, the implementation of DevOps can differ based on the platform:
- CI/CD Pipelines: In SaaS and low-code environments, CI/CD pipelines may be more constrained due to the platform’s inherent limitations and predefined workflows. This contrasts with the more flexible pipelines typically found in public cloud environments.
- Continuous Testing: Testing in SaaS and low-code platforms often involves configuration validation and functional testing rather than code-level testing. Continuous testing tools must be adapted to fit within the platform’s ecosystem.
- Deployment Strategies: Public cloud deployments offer more control and customisation over infrastructure and deployment strategies (e.g., blue-greenfield deployments, canary releases). In contrast, SaaS and low-code platforms may impose restrictions, requiring teams to align their DevOps practices with the platform’s capabilities and deployment cadence.
Final thoughts
“While Agile and DevOps principles are universally applicable, their implementation varies significantly depending on the development environment. Configurable SaaS and low-code platforms require teams to rethink traditional practices, focusing more on configuration, integration and adapting to platform constraints,” said Raduta.
By understanding these differences, IT teams can use Agile and DevOps methodologies to deliver value in these specialised contexts.