How to Create a Model-Driven App in the Microsoft Power App

In Microsoft Power Apps, Model-Driven Apps stand out as robust solutions for organizations seeking structured and data-centric applications. This blog will explore the creation process of a Model-Driven App, its practical applications, and how seamlessly it integrates with the broader Power Platform and external connectors.

What is a Model-Driven App?

A Model-Driven App in the Power Apps suite is designed around data structures and relationships, offering a more structured approach to application development. Let’s dive into the steps to create one.

Why a Model-Driven App?

In addition to allowing business users to help create Apps that can make business processes more efficient, Model-Driven Apps can also help a business save time and money.

Here’s How: If the average time for an employee to track and monitor compliance a week is 15 hours at a rate of $32 an hour. Then, for a company with three employees monitoring compliance for 26 weeks, 1,170 hours were saved a year, translating to $37,440 in company savings.

How to Create a Model-Driven App

Building a Model-Driven App involves a series of systematic steps:

1. Sign in to Power Apps

Access Microsoft Power Apps through your Office 365 or Microsoft 365 subscription or a standalone Power Apps plan. Sign in to your account to initiate the app creation process.

2. Start a New App

Once within the Power Apps environment, click Create to initiate a new app. Opt for a Model-Driven app to create an app centered around data structures.

3. Define Data Entities

Model-Driven Apps are built on data entities. Define these entities to establish the core data structure that your app will revolve around. Specify relationships between entities to reflect business processes accurately.

4. Design User Interface

Model-Driven Apps generate a user interface based on the defined data entities. Customize the layout, forms, and views to create an interface that aligns with your organization’s needs. Leverage the built-in design features to enhance user experience.

5. Configure Business Logic

Utilize the Power Platform’s business rules and processes to configure the app’s logic. Model-Driven Apps allow for the definition of business processes, ensuring a standardized and efficient workflow.

6. Testing and Deployment

Thoroughly test the Model-Driven App within the Power Apps environment to ensure seamless functionality. Once validated, deploy the app for organizational use.

Practical Uses of Model-Driven Apps

Model-Driven Apps excel in various use cases, including:

Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Model-Driven Apps are ideal for CRM solutions, providing a structured approach to managing customer interactions and data.
Project Management: Create apps tailored for project management, with entities representing tasks, milestones, and resource allocation.
Case Management: Develop applications for case tracking and management, ensuring a systematic approach to handling customer issues or internal processes.
Sales Pipeline Management: Use Model-Driven Apps to streamline the sales pipeline, tracking leads, opportunities, and customer interactions.
Compliance Tracking: Build apps to monitor and ensure compliance with industry regulations or internal policies.

Compatibility with the Power Platform and External Connectors

Model-Driven Apps seamlessly integrate into the broader Microsoft Power Platform, offering compatibility with Power BI, Power Automate, and Power Virtual Agents:

Power BI Integration: Embed Power BI reports and dashboards directly into your Model-Driven App, providing users with real-time insights. Power Apps allows you to integrate Power BI seamlessly into an app to allow a user to see real-time analytics on their data through visuals and dashboards.
Power Automate Integration: Automate workflows and processes using Power Automate, ensuring efficient data handling and task automation. Power Automate Integration allows users to create workflows that can be triggered within the PowerApps app, allowing them to run flows as needed automatically.
Power Virtual Agents Integration: Integrate chatbots and virtual agents created in Power Virtual Agents into your Model-Driven App for interactive user support. A chatbot is an excellent way to allow end users to ask FAQs and get low-level support without needing a PowerApps professional to be present.

Additionally, Model-Driven Apps support various third-party connectors, allowing organizations to extend their app’s functionality by connecting to external systems and services.

Conclusion

Microsoft Model-Driven Apps offer a structured and data-centric approach to application development within the Power Apps suite, helping build comprehensive solutions to enhance productivity and achieve business objectives.

Whether you’re a business user or an IT professional, Model-Driven Apps are a powerful tool for addressing your organization’s unique challenges and driving success.

If you have questions or are curious about building Model-Driven Apps, phData can help! Reach out to our experts today for advice, best practices, and answers.