Power Apps Pitfalls: Avoid These 5 Code-Killing Mistakes

Key insights

• Involve the Users: Always include end users in the planning phase. Their input helps you understand real needs and avoid building features that are not useful.


• Build Focused Apps: Keep your app simple and targeted. Avoid trying to solve too many problems at once, which can make your app hard to use and maintain.


• Don't Over Engineer: Resist adding unnecessary complexity or features. Simple solutions are easier to support and update over time.


• Define the End Goal: Clearly outline what success looks like for your app before starting development. This keeps your project on track and ensures you meet business needs.


• Apps Don't Fix Bad Processes: Make sure you improve underlying business processes first. Building an app on top of poor workflows will not solve deeper issues.


• Use Solutions for Organization: Organize all related assets—such as apps, data tables, and workflows—into solutions. This practice makes management, version control, and deployment much easier across different environments.

Introduction: Key Power Apps Mistakes to Avoid

Shane Young [MVP] has released a new YouTube video titled "5 Power Apps Mistakes That Kill Your App Before You Write Any Code", offering a timely reminder about the importance of planning in successful app development. As Power Apps continues to empower users to create business solutions with minimal coding, the temptation to jump right into building can be strong. However, Shane emphasizes that overlooking certain planning steps can lead to major setbacks, wasted resources, and apps that fail to meet business needs. In this article, we summarize the video’s main points, highlight the tradeoffs involved, and discuss challenges developers face when starting their Power Apps journey.

Involving Users Early in the Process

One of the first mistakes Shane highlights is failing to involve end users during the initial planning stages. While it may seem efficient to begin development based on assumptions, this approach can result in an app that does not align with real business processes or user expectations. Instead, involving users early helps ensure the solution addresses genuine pain points and gathers valuable feedback that can shape requirements.

However, balancing user input with project scope can be tricky. Too many voices may complicate decision-making, while too little input risks missing critical needs. Striking the right balance is key, as early engagement typically leads to higher adoption rates and fewer surprises after launch.

Building Focused Apps: Avoiding Overengineering

Another pitfall discussed is the tendency to overengineer by trying to solve every conceivable problem within a single app. Shane recommends building focused apps with clear objectives, which not only streamlines development but also makes maintenance easier. Overly complex apps can become unwieldy, harder to update, and more difficult for users to navigate.

Nevertheless, some organizations may fear that a focused app will not be flexible enough for future needs. The challenge lies in defining a clear scope for the initial release while designing the app architecture so it can evolve over time. This approach enables teams to deliver value quickly without sacrificing the ability to scale or pivot as requirements change.

Defining Success and Knowing When to Stop

Shane stresses the importance of defining what success looks like for the app from the outset. Without clear end goals, projects risk falling into perpetual development, leading to scope creep and delayed launches. Setting measurable outcomes helps teams stay on track and know when the app is ready for deployment.

However, defining an endpoint can be challenging when stakeholders have evolving expectations. It is essential to document requirements and agree on a minimum viable product, allowing for future enhancements rather than aiming for perfection in the first version.

Recognizing the Limits of Apps: Process vs. Technology

A critical insight from the video is that even the best-designed Power App cannot fix fundamentally broken business processes. Shane cautions against using technology as a band-aid for deeper organizational issues. Instead, he advises reviewing and, if necessary, improving processes before digitizing them.

This distinction is vital because automating inefficient workflows can amplify problems, rather than solve them. Teams should assess whether process changes are needed alongside app development to maximize impact and ensure long-term success.

Conclusion: Laying the Foundation for Successful Power Apps

In summary, Shane Young’s video serves as a valuable guide for anyone embarking on a Power Apps project. By involving users early, building focused solutions, setting clear goals, and addressing process issues before development, teams can avoid common pitfalls that derail projects. While there are tradeoffs between flexibility and focus, or speed and thoroughness, thoughtful planning and communication remain the keys to delivering effective business applications.

As Power Apps continues to evolve within the Microsoft ecosystem, these foundational practices will help organizations harness its full potential—saving time, reducing costs, and ensuring apps truly meet user needs.

Keywords

Power Apps mistakes Power Apps errors app development pitfalls low code app issues common Power Apps problems avoid Power Apps errors coding mistakes in Power Apps beginner Power Apps tips