Embarking on a journey with the Power Platform can be both exciting and overwhelming. Reflecting on my early experiences, there are several lessons I wish I’d known from the outset. These insights have significantly shaped my approach to building effective and scalable solutions.

1. The Importance of Database and Entity Relationship Diagramming

My very first application was an absolute mess from a data perspective, it was a mandatory training tracker application that I knocked together in 4 days by trial and error. It was SharePoint backed and the lists were messy, there was repeating data, columns had been added, renamed, had data type changes over and over again. While producing something in 3 days was great when it came time to expand on the solution it required significant rework.

Lesson learned: taking the time to map out data entities and their relationships upfront can save significant effort in the long run. It not only streamlines development but also facilitates clearer communication with stakeholders.

2. Learning How to Normalize Data

Early on, I didn’t understand the importance of data normalization, leading to repetitive and redundant data scattered across multiple locations. When I finally learned to normalize data—storing information once and reusing it effectively—I dramatically simplified my solutions. This not only boosted performance but also made maintaining the apps far less cumbersome.

3. Holding Effective User Story Workshops

When I first started I used to sit with each user and have them just walk me through their current work process that would be included in the solution and take some notes. While this approach was an improvement on just cracking on and building it myself it did miss out on the interaction points between users in the process. When I started getting all the users in different roles of the process in a room and having a discussion around what roles they played in the process and what their pain points and frustrations were I ended up creating better solutions with less surprises during development.

4. Designing for Expansion and Extension

My early projects were focused on immediate requirements, but that quickly led to trouble when business needs inevitably changed. Learning to build solutions with future growth in mind—by designing modular, flexible components—allowed me to easily adapt and expand without having to rebuild from scratch. This one happened by accident, when I learned to map out my data and normalise it building an expandable solution became infinitely easier.

5. Valuing UI/UX from the Start

I will own up, I am a functionality focussed developer. My joy in development comes from making the system do something. But this is not the only part of delivering an effective solution. In the beginning, I cared only about functionality, completely ignoring the user experience. As a result, many of my early solutions had poor adoption rates simply because they weren’t pleasant or intuitive to use. Paying attention to UI and UX from the outset ensured that users actually enjoyed using my apps, significantly increasing their adoption and satisfaction.

6. Leveraging the Power of Community

I was initially hesitant to reach out for help, worried I might look inexperienced. But once I finally started reaching out into the Power Platform community, I discovered an incredible group of supportive people eager to share their knowledge. Engaging with the community rapidly accelerated my learning and opened doors to valuable insights and friendships.

7. Embracing Mistakes as Learning Opportunities

Mistakes are inevitable, especially when exploring new technologies. Instead of viewing them as setbacks, I began to see them as opportunities for growth. Each error taught me something new and contributed to my development as a more competent and confident Power Platform professional.

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Final Thoughts

You don’t have to master all these aspects immediately. These lessons are part of an ongoing learning journey that will enhance your skills over time. Embrace the journey, stay curious, and don’t hesitate to seek support when needed.

What lessons have you learned in your Power Platform journey? Share your experiences in the comments below—I’d love to hear your insights!