Introduction: Business Analyst or Developer
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck between two roles—Business Analyst or Developer—you’re not alone. Many early-career professionals and career changers grapple with the same question: Which path is right for me?
Perhaps you’re analytical and enjoy solving problems, but also find the creative logic of coding exciting. You may feel the pressure to pick a lane early, but here’s the good news—both roles offer rewarding career opportunities, and the right choice depends on your unique strengths, preferences, and long-term goals.
In this article, we’ll break down the differences between the roles of Business Analyst or Developer, help you understand the core responsibilities, explore common misconceptions, and provide guidance on how to align your career with what truly drives you.
Whether you’re exploring the tech space for the first time or considering a shift, this article will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Gain clarity on the unique responsibilities and skill sets of both Business Analysts and Developers, so you can make an informed decision about which career path better suits your strengths, interests, and goals.
- Understand how the roles complement each other in real-world projects, including the different types of value each contributes to digital transformation, stakeholder engagement, and solution delivery.
- Explore hybrid opportunities such as Technical Business Analyst roles, which blend business and technical expertise, and are increasingly sought after in data-driven or Agile environments.
- Learn how to confidently transition between roles, including what hiring managers look for when candidates pivot from Developer to Business Analyst (or vice versa), and how to communicate your value in interviews and career conversations.
- Access practical tools and learning resources to help you try out both career paths before making a decision—ensuring your choice is based on lived experience, not just assumptions or job titles.
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What Does a Business Analyst or Developer Actually Do?
Let’s start by defining the roles. A Business Analyst acts as the bridge between stakeholders and technical teams. They focus on understanding business needs, eliciting requirements, and ensuring that project outcomes deliver business value. A Developer, on the other hand, brings those solutions to life through programming, system configuration, and technical problem solving.
Business Analyst Key Focus Areas:
- Stakeholder engagement
- Requirements gathering and documentation
- Process modelling and optimisation
- Solution assessment and validation
- Communication between business and IT
Developer Key Focus Areas:
- Writing and debugging code
- Building applications or system features
- Unit testing and integration
- Technical design
- Continuous deployment and maintenance
Both roles often collaborate on projects, and success requires mutual respect and clear communication.
The Evolution of the Roles: Then vs Now
A decade ago, the roles of Business Analyst or Developer were more clearly divided. BAs handed over documentation to developers, who then implemented the system in relative isolation. Today, especially in Agile environments, the lines have blurred. Business Analysts are now expected to contribute strategically—shaping product direction, facilitating value-driven decision-making, and aligning technology with business goals. Similarly, Developers are no longer “just coders”; they’re increasingly involved in backlog refinement, user experience discussions, and system architecture design.
This shift reflects the modern understanding that business transformation is not just about systems—it’s about people, processes, and purpose. Both roles are evolving to meet this reality.
Misconceptions: “You Have to Know Code to Be a Business Analyst”
One of the most common misconceptions is that a Business Analyst or Developer must have the same skills—especially technical ones. While some BAs know how to code or use SQL for data querying, it’s not a core requirement. Instead, soft skills like communication, empathy, critical thinking, and facilitation are paramount for Business Analysts.
On the flip side, Developers are often wrongly seen as isolated coders with little interaction with the business. In truth, many Developers work in Agile teams, attend daily stand-ups, and collaborate with product owners and BAs to refine requirements.
Hybrid Roles: The Rise of the Technical Business Analyst
Many organisations are increasingly seeking professionals who can operate in a hybrid space. Enter the Technical Business Analyst—a role that combines the clarity of business analysis with enough technical fluency to work closely with development teams.
Technical BAs might write SQL queries, understand database structures, or interpret API documentation. They’re especially valued in data-heavy sectors like finance or logistics, where business logic and system logic need tight alignment. If you enjoy stakeholder workshops and debugging data anomalies, this hybrid path might be your sweet spot.
Real Story: How Emma Found Her Fit as a Business Analyst
Emma started her career in IT support, where she dabbled in basic programming but found herself more drawn to conversations with users about their pain points. She loved mapping out processes and sketching solutions on a whiteboard. Initially, she thought she needed to “level up” as a Developer to progress.
After a conversation with a mentor, she explored business analysis and took on a junior BA role in a government project. Emma thrived in stakeholder workshops and realised that the BA role aligned better with her strengths in communication, strategy, and problem-solving. Fast forward two years, and Emma now leads a requirements team and mentors aspiring BAs.
The lesson? You don’t have to follow a traditional tech path. Understanding your preferences can lead to surprising—and fulfilling—career moves.
How to Decide: A Checklist for Choosing Between Business Analyst or Developer
Use this checklist to reflect on which role suits you better:
Prefer Business Analyst if you:
- Enjoy engaging with people and leading discussions
- Are curious about business goals and strategy
- Like to draw out insights and define problems clearly
- Want to influence decisions beyond technical execution
Prefer Developer if you:
- Love building and fixing things with code
- Enjoy diving deep into technical challenges
- Value focus time and working with structured logic
- Want to create digital tools and systems that solve real problems
Still unsure? Try shadowing a professional in each role or taking an online course in both areas. You may find a hybrid path like a Technical Business Analyst suits you best.
Salary and Market Demand Comparison
In Australia, both Business Analysts and Developers are in high demand, but market nuances can shape your decision. Mid-level BAs typically earn between AUD $95,000 and $120,000, with senior BAs earning up to AUD $150,000, especially in sectors like government, banking, and utilities.
Developers, especially those with in-demand languages such as JavaScript, Python, or .NET, also earn comparable salaries, with lead roles pushing above AUD $160,000 in high-demand environments like fintech or SaaS. That said, Developers may face steeper learning curves early on, whereas BAs may find soft skills carry more early weight.
How to Speak to Hiring Managers About Your Career Switch
Whether you’re pivoting from Developer to Business Analyst, or vice versa, clear communication is key. Hiring managers want to know: Why now? What value do you bring?
Frame your career move as a strategic decision rooted in your natural strengths and long-term goals. For example: “After three years in development, I realised my strengths lie in facilitating conversations and translating needs into solutions. I want to grow in a role that lets me focus on the ‘why’ as much as the ‘how.’”
This narrative shows self-awareness and purpose—two qualities employers value.
Common Project Scenarios: How BAs and Developers Collaborate
Imagine an Agile project building a customer self-service portal. The Business Analyst runs workshops to define user journeys and documents key user stories. The Developer reviews these stories, identifies potential technical constraints, and recommends changes to optimise performance.
During sprint reviews, the BA ensures that what’s built matches the business need, while the Developer demonstrates working features. Together, they create a feedback loop that ensures alignment between intention and execution.
These types of collaborations are not just common—they’re essential for successful delivery.
Insights from Industry and Standards
The BABOK® Guide (Business Analysis Body of Knowledge) defines a Business Analyst as someone who “enables change in an enterprise by defining needs and recommending solutions that deliver value.” It’s a broad definition that emphasises strategy and business improvement.
In contrast, software development standards such as the Agile Manifesto prioritise working software and technical excellence, which form the core value proposition of a Developer’s contribution.
Both roles are critical. In many Agile environments, Business Analysts and Developers work side-by-side to co-create value. The trend towards cross-functional teams makes mutual understanding even more valuable.
Toolkit for Exploration: Learning Resources to Try Each Role
Still undecided? Try the role on for size. Here are a few practical resources to help you experiment:
For Business Analysts:
- Business Analyst’s Toolkit templates and blog articles
- BABOK® Guide for structured methods and standards
- Coursera’s Business Analysis Fundamentals
For Developers:
- freeCodeCamp and Codecademy for practical, hands-on learning
- GitHub repositories to contribute to open-source projects
- Udemy’s courses on JavaScript, Python, or C#
Exploring both paths, even briefly, will give you clearer insight than theoretical comparisons ever could.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between becoming a Business Analyst or Developer isn’t about picking the “better” job—it’s about finding the one that aligns with your skills, interests, and long-term aspirations.
If you love people, problems, and planning, business analysis might be your sweet spot. If you’re energised by solving technical puzzles and building products, development could be your home.
No matter which path you take, remember: the best careers are built on self-awareness, continuous learning, and doing work that matters.
Download the 13-Point BA Career Clarity Audit
How to get clear career direction without feeling overwhelmed in just 30 days.