Do BAs Need to Know How to Code?

Do BAs need to know how to code? Can only people with an IT background become a BA? In this post, I'll answer these frequently asked questions.

There are many opinions surrounding this topic, but personally, I believe the answer is NO.

Many people mistakenly think that transitioning to a software-related career requires coding skills. I don't understand where this notion comes from. If it's about coding a product, then you'd be doing a developer's job. Not to mention the vast "ocean" of code with countless programming languages constantly being updated and added – which one would you even learn?

And if it's about "understanding software or systems," well, it might take you a whole year of learning and "coding" to maybe get a grasp of it. I've worked with developers who have been coding for several years and still don't have a clear understanding of structures and architecture. If you're planning to spend a few years learning to code before becoming a BA, you might as well spend those years honing your BA knowledge and skills, such as analytical skills, documentation skills, modeling skills, or soft skills. Along with that, you can learn and discuss industry knowledge, technology, and keep up with global trends and developments. I believe that would be much more beneficial.

How can you work as a BA without knowing how to code?

Huh? Just do it! My background is in banking, and I don't know a single line of code. Yet, I've been working as a BA for many years. The same goes for the students I've taught, who come from various backgrounds. They are now working as BAs, and many of them are earning a pretty good salary.

The main point that I think most people misunderstand is that you need to know about software, not how to code it. Google can help us with that! :D

As for the specific steps and approaches to becoming a BA, I've mentioned them in the post "What You Need to Get Started." Feel free to check it out.

Back to the question of whether you can become a BA without any IT knowledge, I can confirm that you absolutely can.

From my personal perspective, I prefer that BAs come from other domains. The reason is that the market in recent years has seen a real explosion in "digitalization" – everyone and everything is going digital. Manufacturing and trading companies are also jumping into this field. Startups are finding ways to combine traditional business models with technology (typically F&B, services related to e-commerce, etc.).

As a result, the demand for BAs in these industries has also increased. When these companies and startups develop their own software products, they prioritize candidates who have knowledge and understanding of the business processes in their respective fields. For example, if you specialize in logistics, you'll easily find a job with companies that develop logistics-related software, and the same applies to insurance, finance, and so on. So, coming from a different field can be a competitive advantage in this case.

In short, you don't need to know how to code, nor do you need to be an IT expert to become a BA.