Stay Informed
Get updates on new tools, training, and program announcements from our CDP Team.
(VA network only)
DTC Citizen Developer Program
We’re empowering VA Employees to build custom solutions and automate workflows using products within Microsoft Power Platform — no coding experience required.
For All Employees | Innovation Focused |
|---|
No Cost / Low Cost
Build impactful solutions at no cost - or enhance your experience with premium features (funding required).
No Coding Required
Use drag-and-drop & guided wizards to build your solutions.
Solve Your Own Problems
Who better to solve your daily challenges than you? Create the exact solution you and your team need.
Key Benefits for VA Employees
Citizen development can transform your daily work experience in the following areas:
Save Time on Repetitive Tasks
Automate routine processes like data entry, approvals, and notifications so you can focus on meaningful work.
- Automatic form routing
- Scheduled report generation
- Task reminders
Solve Problems Faster
Quickly build custom solutions tailored to your needs while reducing development wait times.
- Custom data collection forms
- Process tracking dashboards
- Quick calculators
Improve Decision Making
Create real-time dashboards and reports that give you the insights when you need them.
- Performance metrics
- Resource utilization
- Trend analysis
Stay Compliant & Secure
All solutions are created within VA’s secure infrastructure with proper governance and compliance built in.
- Data security
- Access controls
- Audit Trails
Citizen Developer Program Overview
The DTC’s Citizen Developer Program (CDP) empowers VA employees – especially those without technical backgrounds – to solve problems, streamline workflows, and boost team productivity using Microsoft Power Platform. Whether you’re in finance, logistics, healthcare, or administration, the Program’s resources help guide you to build your own apps and automations to make your work easier and more efficient.
How the CDP Team can help you:
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S — Support creativity with easy, step-by-step guidance to get started
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C — Curate learning resources and checklists that guide you through the steps
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O — Offer inspiration from success stories designed by non-technical users to spark your next solution.
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U — Understand requirements to help meet VA policies and governance rules.
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T — Tell your story as part of a growing community where peers share tips and support.
Outside the Program’s Boundaries
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We do not build, manage, or maintain solutions – they are created and supported by you
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Projects using or involving contractors and system integrators are not supported by the Citizen Developer Program
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We do not provide technical support, issue licenses, or environment access
Our goal is simple: Put the power of innovation in the hands of those closest to the work – you!
Who can be a Citizen Developer?
A Citizen Developer is any VA employee, no matter their job role or technical background, who creates digital tools, applications, or automated workflows to make their work easier and more efficient.
Citizen Developers don’t need to know how to code or have programming experience. Instead, they use user-friendly software designed for non-technical users, often called low-code or no-code platforms.
Microsoft Power Platform (MPP), a variety of easy-to-use software products, empowers VA employees to solve problems and improve processes in their day-to-day work.
Microsoft Power Platform & VA Examples
Explore the products available within Microsoft’s Power Platform (MPP). Standard products are ready for you to use. Premium requires additional licensing and guidance from the MPP CoE.
Standard — Free
Premium — Fee based
Power Apps
Standard
Premium
- Employee onboarding checklists
- Equipment request forms
- Inspection and audit apps
- Asset tracking tools
(VA network only)
Power Automate
Standard
Premium
- Document approval workflows
- Automatic file organization
- Email notifications and reminders
- Data synchronization between systems
(VA network only)
Copilot Studio
Premium only
- Help desk support bots
- FAQ and information assistants
- Appointment booking chatbots
- Policy and procedure guides
(VA network only)
Power Pages
Premium only
- Veteran self-service portals
- Public information websites
- Appointment scheduling sites
- Community engagement platforms
(VA network only)
AI Builder
Premium only
- Extracting data from forms
- Analyzing Veteran feedback
- Identifying equipment in photos
- Predicting supply needs
(VA network only)
Power Automate Desktop
Premium only
- Updating legacy system data
- Automating daily report generation
- Organizing large file batches
- Scraping internal web portals
(VA network only)
Have VA network access? Then you already have access to the standard products in the Makers Portal
Choose the Power Platform Path that best Fits Your Needs
3 MPP Options to Build your Solution
1. Standard License
Best for: Your first app or simple team workflows.
What it means: You use the Power Platform tools that come with your M365 license. Build basic apps, automate simple tasks, and connect to common Microsoft tools like SharePoint, Teams, Excel, and Outlook.
Why choose this: It’s the easiest and most cost‑effective starting point for simple solutions.
2. Standard License + Dedicated Environment
Best for: Teams with multiple makers or growing app portfolios.
What it means: You still use the standard license, but your apps are stored in a dedicated "environment" for better organization, project separation, and solution management.
Why choose this: Your apps stay organized, protected, and easier to manage as you grow.
3. Premium License + Dedicated Environment
Best for: Mission-critical apps, AI-driven automation, and large-scale data solutions.
What it means: The only option to access advanced capabilities like Copilot Studio, AI Builder, Dataverse and advanced connectors so you can build powerful apps using complex automation.
Why choose this: You need scalability, intelligent automation, integrations beyond the basics while maintaining VA compliance.
Note: Premium products and connectors require additional licensing fees.
Initiate a license requestPartner Sites
Unlock the full potential of your citizen development journey by connecting with our partners. Explore platform guidance, governance best practices, community insights, and tailored support
Power BI
- Visualize trends and performance without needing advanced analytics skills
- Empower frontline teams with data at their fingertips
- Make faster, smarter decisions with real-time insights
(VA network only)
SharePoint
- Automate routine tasks like approvals, notifications, and file management
- Break down silos with shared document libraries
- Ensure compliance with VA’s security and governance
(VA network only)
MPP CoE
- Join a growing community of VA innovators transforming how we serve veterans
- Helps you understand licensing requirements and recommends the most cost-effective path
- Gets your solutions on the path to scalability and compliance
(VA network only)
CAIO
- Clarify what AI tools are approved, safe and supported
- Get guidance on responsible AI use
- View the AI use case Inventory
- Learn the difference between tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Copilot Studio
(VA network only)
Stay Informed
Get updates on new tools, training, and program announcements from our Citizen Developer Program.
(VA network only)
