By Fernanda Arbex
The use of innovative software applications can have a very positive impact on the performance of the public sector, both in managing internal procedures and in providing services to citizens. However, the development and implementation of these applications often require a considerable investment of time, as well as human and financial resources. In many cases, adopting solutions known as no-code platforms can be an excellent option to overcome these obstacles.
No-code platforms allow the development of applications without the need for programming code, using manipulable visual elements through intuitive interfaces (a practice known as "drag and drop"). The programming code is pre-embedded in the platform by the vendor, and users build applications by organizing visual components according to provided guidelines, similar to the plastic toy blocks used by children to "build" houses, airplanes, and many other shapes.
No-code platforms offer an accessible alternative, allowing people without technical training to create applications to automate processes, manage information, and perform other tasks through visual and intuitive interfaces.
Furthermore, these technologies allow public servants to create complex workflows—such as decision automation, intelligent triage, and customized rules—using only visual interfaces, without the need for programming. With ready-made connectors for multiple government databases and internal systems, these platforms enable data-driven decisions with traceability, control, and security. Rapid integration via APIs ensures interoperability between systems and accelerates the delivery of public solutions, promoting greater efficiency and autonomy.
By eliminating the need to write code, no-code platforms allow any public servant, even without technical knowledge, to create solutions tailored to their needs, without relying exclusively on information technology professionals. Internal IT teams within public agencies, in turn, gain more time to dedicate to more central and complex tasks. Other benefits include: 1) potentially lower costs than traditional solutions; 2) built-in security; 3) greater agility in project implementation; 4) greater adaptability of applications to new needs; 5) promotion of innovation, since public servants can test new solutions more quickly and at a lower cost.
Governments around the world are already using no-code platforms to improve their services and meet citizens' needs more quickly. These solutions have been applied, for example, to digitize stages of the analysis and decision-making process, organize service channels, connect legacy systems to new applications, and significantly reduce the time-to-market of projects.
It is important to emphasize that, as with any technology, the use of no-code platforms by the public sector requires appropriate governance practices. Therefore, it is essential to choose solutions that prioritize data security and privacy, offer traceability and auditability of processes, and are compatible with national regulations and international best practices.
No-code platforms do not replace traditional software in all situations, but they can be an important tool in public procurement. Adopted responsibly and with appropriate governance policies, they represent a strategic opportunity to modernize public management, increase the participation of civil servants in the development of solutions, and improve the quality of service to citizens.
Fernanda Arbex is a founding partner of Innova Assuntos Públicos and co-leader of the Public Procurement Working Group at ABES.
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
Article originally published on the Connected Smart Cities website: https://portal.connectedsmartcities.com.br/2025/10/01/beneficios-das-plataformas-no-code-para-o-setor-publico/
